Cartier Santos Dumont 90th anniversary - 1575 Platinum Salmon dial

Before we go into details about this particular watch, it is important to know its history and why it is one of the most sought after modern (or non vintage) Cartier Dumont models. 

Alberto Santos-Dumont was born in 1873 in Cabunga, Brazil to a wealthy family of coffee producers. His father was an engineer who made himself a fortune developing techniques for his coffee plantations, earning himself the title of ‘Coffee King of Brazil’. However, as a result of a horse-riding accident, Alberto’s father was paralysed in 1891 and moved his family to Europe where he sought treatment.

In Paris, after seeing hot air balloons, Alberto developed a keen interest in flight. After his father’s death in 1892, Alberto continued to spend time in Paris and he was soon designing his own balloons. His first design, the Brésil, was first flown in 1898. Soon after, Dumont designed his first steerable balloon called ‘dirigible’, building a total of 11 by 1905. It wasn’t all success however, in 1901 he lost during his first attempt at the Deutsch de la Meurthe, but he was back later that year winning first prize. This win made Dumont an international celebrity and in 1904, Alberto Santos-Dumont asked his friend, Louis Cartier to make him a wristwatch to fly. Eliminating the annoyance of checking his pocket watch while he was flying.

The significance of this piece is well known, it was Cartier’s first wristwatch and the first pilot wristwatches ever made. The watch that became known as the Cartier Santos-Dumont, still sold by Cartier today. 

Celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Cartier Santos Dumont in 1994, Cartier released a reedition of only 90 pieces, Reference 1575-1. 

The 1575-1 limited edition has a platinum case which is satin finished with a polished platinum bezel which gives a very nice contrast to the case. On the back of the case the "Santos Dumont" engraving, along with the reference and the serial number but also the limited number xx/90

The amazing salmon, pink dial has black printed Roman numerals and an outer railway minute tracker.  

Like to original Cartier Santos Dumont from 1904, the 90th anniversary has the same, blued Breguet-style hands.

The manual wound 021 MC is based on the Frédéric Piguet 21. It was designed to be the thinnest watch movement available, and it achieved this goal notably: It retained the record for 21 years. Even without the record, this 90 year old movement design continues to be produced.

The 021MC has a power reserve of 42 hours. The diameter of the movement is 20.4mm and is just 1.75 mm thick and it has 18 jewels. The movement originally oscillated at 18,000 A/h but later versions were boosted to 21,600 A/h.

The Santos Dumont is fitted with a blue navy Saffiano strap that contrast well with the salmon dial and matches the blued Breguet hands. 

The watch comes with its original Cartier white gold folding buckle and its Cartier box. 

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment. 

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