Cartier Santos de Cartier Galbée
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1990s
Maker / issuer
CartierThis Santos de Cartier Galbée wristwatch, dating to the 1990s, features a 24 mm stainless steel case. The design is characterized by its curved profile and visible screws on both the bezel and the integrated bracelet.
The dial is white with Roman numerals, a chemin-de-fer minute track, and blued sword-shaped hands. The watch is powered by a quartz movement. A crown set with a sapphire cabochon completes the design. This specific version belongs to the Santos collection, a line originally developed in 1904 for the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. The watch is presented as a piece that combines the historical design elements of the Santos collection with the convenience of a modern quartz movement.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Santos Galbée wristwatch
- Crown
- Sapphire cabochon set
- Maker
- Cartier
- Model
- Santos de Cartier Galbée
- Date range
- 1990s
- Case diameter
- 24 mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Movement type
- Quartz
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker / attribution
- Cartier
Design
- Visible features
- • Case and bracelet feature prominent visible screws • Crown is fitted with a blue sapphire cabochon • The white dial displays Roman numerals • Integrated stainless steel bracelet with curved links
- Case and Dial Design
- The Cartier Santos de Cartier Galbée is constructed with a 24 mm stainless steel case designed to follow the curvature of the wrist, a feature denoted by the "Galbée" designation. The exterior is defined by the recurring use of visible screw heads positioned on the square bezel and throughout the links of the integrated steel bracelet. The dial is finished in white and includes printed Roman numeral hour markers. It incorporates a chemin-de-fer minute track around the periphery and is equipped with blued sword-shaped hands. A crown set with a sapphire cabochon is located on the right side of the case.
- History and Attribution
- The Santos series is attributed to the design work of Louis Cartier, who developed the initial concept for the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. The model is categorized as one of the early men's wristwatches created for a specific purpose. This particular example is identified as a neo-vintage piece from the 1990s. The documentation provided by the source situates the watch within the broader Cartier Santos legacy, highlighting its evolution from an aviation instrument to a standard luxury timepiece.
- Movement and Functionality
- The watch operates using a quartz movement. This choice of power source is intended to provide ease of use for the wearer in daily settings. The design intent of the Santos collection, dating back to 1904, was to allow aviators to read the time without needing to remove their hands from flight controls, a function maintained by the high-contrast dial layout. Despite the shift from the original manual-wind historical precursors, the quartz-powered Galbée retains the aesthetic language of the Santos line.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Specific production year within the 1990s is not verified
- Research required: Exact movement caliber is not specified in the source