Cartier Santos Galbee 1566

The Cartier Santos is derived from the Cartier Santos-Dumont, designed for Alberto Santos Dumont. This watch was actually conceived by a legend in the watch industry named Alain-Dominique Perrin, Cartier's CEO from 1975 to 1998. Under the leadership of Alain-Dominique Perrin, Cartier launched the gold and steel Santos in 1978. The watch featured an integrated bracelet instead of the traditional leather strap. Cartier also added 18K gold to the case and bracelet to give the watch an extra touch of luxury. The model became hugely popular in the 1980s.

In 1987, the Santos underwent a complete revision, was renamed, and relaunched as the Santos Galbée. The case lost its rougher appearance and gained more curved and rounded lugs, making it fit better on the wrist than the previous Santos.

This vintage Cartier Santos is in excellent condition, with its sharp case showcasing all the clean lines and curves perfectly. The cream-white dial, combined with the blue hands and the blue cabochon crown, creates a great harmony. The gold bezel, together with the gold and steel bracelet that shows no signs of stretch for its age, makes this watch an everyday classic. This beautiful Cartier Santos comes with a red Cartier pouch and a 12-month mechanical warranty.

What you need to know:
- Reference 1566
- 395XXXXX series, dating from the 1990s
- Blue hands and cabochon crown
- Integrated steel Cartier bracelet with hidden clasp
- Comes with a red Cartier pouch
- 29mm case, perfect for both men and women
- 1-year warranty
- Free insured shipping

Cartier

In 1847, Louis-François Cartier took over his master's jewelry workshop. Over the years, his sons and grandsons inherited the family business and opened stores in London and New York. In 1904, Cartier 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 warrants from all over the world came pouring in.

While Cartier is primarily known for its jewelry, it also has a rich history in watchmaking. In 1888, Cartier began making ladies' wristwatches. At that time, it was more common for men to choose the traditional pocket watch. In 1904, Louis Cartier gave a watch to his good Brazilian friend Santos Dumont, an aviation pioneer, to wear during his 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 seemingly inspired by a square pocket watch made by Cartier. The dial design heralded a shift toward the Art Deco style that would define the 1920s and 1930s. To this day, Cartier's design is influenced by this period. The case was designed to be robust, and the screws holding the glass were intended 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.