I bought this watch unexpectedly; I wasn’t planning any big purchases at the time, but this fell into my lap at a price I could not refuse. However I am thrilled with this watch, it exudes class in ways that I feel have been lost with many modern watches.
This is the first iteration of the Santos made with its now quintessential screwed link bracelet. It came about in the late 1970’s as a reinvention of the Santos line, as a way to modernize it and make it a watch that was for the every day man. Personally, I think Cartier nailed it with this model. While mildly flashy with the high polished gold screws and bezel, the brushed steel of the bracelet and case balance it out for a look that could find its way into the more formal or casual of settings. It doesn’t feel out of place in a suit, nor does it feel wrong to wear with a t-shirt and shorts. It’s case size is slightly diminutive compared to modern watches- a modest 29mm case diameter. That said, it’s squared case shape lends it to wear larger than you would think, closer to how a 34-35mm round cased watch wears.
What makes this watch my go to daily watch though now just how absolutely comfortable it is on wrist. It’s barely 8mm thick, and it’s bracelet tapers strongly from 18mm to 14mm.