Brand:
Cartier
Model:
Santos
Reference:
1566
Original Box:
Included
Warranty:
12 months
Overall Condition:
Good
Wear level Case:
Barely visible
Wear level Caseback:
Barely visible
Wear level Dial:
Barely visible
Wear level Crystal:
Barely visible
Wear level Bezel:
Barely visible
Wear level Bracelet Clasp:
Barely visible
Movement Type:
Quartz
Caliber:
687
Case Material:
Steel
Case Diameter:
29x41 mm
Case Thickness:
6.7 mm
Bezel Material:
Yellow Gold
Crystal:
Sapphire crystal
Dial Color:
White
Dial Numerals:
Roman Numerals
Bracelet Material:
Gold/Steel
Bracelet Color:
Gold/Steel
Clasp Type:
Fold clasp
Clasp Material:
Steel
Functions:
Date, Tempered blue hands, Central seconds, Quick Set
According to the story, in 1904 the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont told his friend Louis Cartier that a pocket watch is useless when both hands are on the controls. Cartier’s answer was a small square wristwatch on a leather strap, with exposed screws holding the bezel, an engineering detail on a luxury object. That watch became the Santos, often described as one of the first men’s wristwatches, and the screws stayed. In 1978 Cartier relaunched the Santos in steel and gold with an integrated bracelet, and in 1987 it softened the lines with more rounded lugs, the version known as the Santos Galbée.
The Galbée plays a quiet game with its two metals. The gold bezel is held by steel screws, while the steel bracelet is studded with gold ones, so neither metal gets the last word. The dial stays classical: cream, with black Roman numerals, blue sword hands and a blue cabochon crown as the one small spot of colour. At 29 by 41mm and only 6.7mm thick, this 1566 slips under a cuff without effort, and the quartz movement means there is nothing to wind.