The Santos-Dumont has always lived at the elegant end of the Cartier canon, dressier than the Santos de Cartier, closer in spirit to the original 1904 commission for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. Until now, it has been primarily a strap watch. For Watches and Wonders 2026, Cartier introduces three Large Model Santos-Dumont references fitted with a new metal bracelet, and the result is one of the most quietly persuasive updates the maison has fielded in years. The bracelet is exquisitely finished with a multilink very supple construction.
Things to Know About the Watch
The new bracelet is the story. Constructed from 394 individually machined and finished links arranged across 15 rows, each link measuring just 1.15 mm thick, it drapes against the wrist with a near-fabric suppleness rare in a metal bracelet at any price point. Cartier draws its design inspiration from its 1920s-made-to-measure flexible bracelets, a connection that feels earned rather than nostalgic.
Three references are offered in the Large Model—measuring 43.5 x 31.4 x 7.3 mm thick—including a yellow gold reference with a gilded obsidian dial, a yellow gold with a silvered satin-finish dial, and a platinum with a silvered satin-finish dial.
The obsidian dial—volcanic glass from Mexico—is cut to just 0.3 mm thick and hand-polished to reveal iridescent air bubbles trapped within the stone. This genuinely extraordinary material, and no two dials are identical. All other Santos-Dumont signatures remain: the square case, visible screws, Roman numerals, railway minute track, and blue sapphire cabochon on the crown for the yellow gold models, and ruby cabochon for the platinum reference.
The Movement
All three references are powered by the manual-wound Manufacture Calibre 430 MC, delivering a 43-hour power reserve. The 430 MC is Cartier's proprietary manual-wound movement developed for the Santos-Dumont and similarly proportioned cases. This is a very reliable, well-finished, and entirely appropriate movement for the watch’s character.
On the Wrist & Price
The Santos-Dumont, now equipped with a bracelet, accomplishes something significant: it closes the gap between the Santos-Dumont's dressy heritage and the kind of all-day wearability that a metal bracelet affords. The bracelet's flexibility means it will sit and move with the wrist rather than against it. This is, without a doubt, one of the most comfortable bracelets we’ve worn.
The obsidian reference, in particular, with its iridescent dial set against yellow gold, makes the case that this is not merely an accessory update but a genuine recontextualization of one of watchmaking's foundational designs.
Sticker Price USD 62,000 for platinum, USD 52,000 for yellow gold with obsidian dial, and USD 49,300 for yellow gold with silver dial. For more info on Cartier click here.
