Cartier Santos Galbée 1566

The Cartier Santos is derived from the Cartier Santos-Dumont, designed for Alberto Santos-Dumont. This watch was originally conceived by a legend in the watch industry, Alain-Dominique Perrin, the CEO of Cartier from 1975 to 1998. In 1978, Cartier, under the leadership of Alain-Dominique Perrin, launched the gold-steel Santos. This watch featured an integrated bracelet instead of the traditional leather strap. Additionally, Cartier added 18K gold to the case and bracelet to give the watch an extra touch of luxury. The model was hugely popular in the 1980s. In 1987, the Santos was completely revised, renamed, and relaunched as the Santos Galbée. The case lost its robust appearance and gained more curved and rounded lugs, making it fit better on the wrist than the previous Santos.

This vintage Cartier Santos 1566 is in excellent condition, with its razor-sharp case and 18K yellow gold bezel that appears unpolished, preserving all the original sharp lines and curves perfectly. Exactly how we like to see it! The watch has a classic white/cream-colored dial, which contributes to its timeless appearance. Additionally, this stunning vintage Cartier Santos Galbée 1566 is equipped with the signature blue hands and a blue cabochon on the crown. The gold-steel bracelet, which shows almost no stretch despite its age, features the Cartier logo on the clasp. This makes this watch not only a timeless classic but also a beautiful piece of jewelry. The quartz movement has a quick-set date function, making the watch extra user-friendly. This vintage Cartier Santos Galbée 1566 comes with a 12-month warranty from 10 over 10.

What you need to know:
- Santos Galbée, reference 1566
- Classic cream-colored dial
- Blue hands and cabochon crown
- Gold/steel Cartier bracelet without stretch
- Razor-sharp 29 mm case (appears unpolished), perfect for both ladies and gentlemen
- 1 year mechanical warranty
- Free insured shipping within the EU

Cartier

In the year 1847, Louis-François Cartier took over the jewelry workshop from his master. His sons and grandsons inherited the family business over the years. They opened stores in London and New York. In 1904, the Cartier brand was even appointed by King Edward VII of the United Kingdom as "the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers." Cartier became so popular that royal commissions came in from all over the world.

Cartier is primarily known for its jewelry, but it also has a very rich history when it comes to watchmaking. In the year 1888, Cartier began making ladies' wristwatches. At that time, it was more common for men to choose the traditional pocket watch. Louis Cartier gave a watch to a good Brazilian friend, Santos Dumont, who was an aviation pioneer, in 1904 to wear during flights because he complained about the impracticality of using a pocket watch while flying. The Cartier Santos-Dumont was not only the first watch for men but also the first true pilot's watch.

The case of the Santos was apparently inspired by a square pocket watch that Cartier had made. The design of the dial heralds a shift towards the Art Deco style that would define the 1920s and 1930s. To this day, Cartier's design is determined by this. The case was designed to be robust, and the screws that held the glass in place were meant to evoke the legs of the new Eiffel Tower. The black Roman numerals also suggest the radial design of the streets and wide boulevards of Paris.