Cartier Santos-Dumont Watch

This is a Cartier Santos-Dumont wrist watch, a contemporary iteration of the world's first pilot's watch originally designed in 1904. The watch features a classic square-shaped case crafted from stainless steel with a high-polish bezel and a satin-brushed finish on the lugs. The bezel is iconic for its eight visible functional screws, a signature design element of the Santos line. The dial is silvered with a sunray finish, featuring black Roman numeral hour markers and a rail-track minute circle. The hands are blued-steel sword-shaped hands transitionally pointing to the hours and minutes. The crown is set with a blue synthetic spinel cabochon. This specific model appears to be the 'Large' size (approx 43.5 mm x 31.4 mm) powered by a high-autonomy quartz movement. It is fitted on a dark navy blue or black alligator leather strap with a steel ardillon buckle. The condition appears well-maintained with light micro-scratching on the polished bezel consistent with gentle use. The crystal appears clear without visible chips. No major dents or deep gouges are observed on the case profile. The craftsmanship reflects Cartier's luxury standards with crisp printing on the dial and precise finishing on the metal surfaces.

Upon my virtual examination of this Cartier Santos-Dumont (Large Model), I find the piece to be in excellent aesthetic condition, consistent with light, respectful wear. The high-polish bezel shows characteristic 'desk diving' micro-scratches, which are typical for this reference and do not significantly detract from its value. The sunray dial, crisp Roman numerals, and signature blue spinel cabochon all reflect Cartier’s high manufacturing standards. The Santos-Dumont remains a cornerstone of the brand's 'Collection Privée' aesthetic, maintaining high demand due to its timeless design and the convenience of its high-autonomy quartz movement. Secondary market values for the WSSA0022 reference remain robust, often retaining 80-90% of current retail pricing. Value is bolstered by the presence of the original alligator strap and buckle, though the absence of original box and papers would typically result in a 10-15% reduction in realized price. Please note that while visually consistent with an authentic Cartier timepiece, this appraisal is based solely on digital imagery. A definitive authentication requires a physical inspection of the movement, verification of the serial numbers against Cartier’s registry, and an examination of the leather's internal branding and buckle hallmarks. I recommend a physical inspection by a certified watchmaker to verify water resistance and the integrity of the quartz movement before any final sale.