Cartier Santos Dumont "Deux Ors" - Extra Plate (Ultra Thin) w/ Deployment Buckle

     The Cartier Santos Dumont is an important watch, not just for Cartier but for horology. You see the Santos Dumont wasn't just Cartier's first ever men's wrist watch, it was THE world's first ever men's wrist watch - arguably. It's kind of up for debate. What's not up for debate is the Santos Dumont's origin story.
     As with most things horologically concerned in the early 20th century, the Santos was born out of necessity. The Dumont is a pilots watch - technically, and in the early 1900's form followed function. In 1904 men hadn't quite caught onto the idea of a wrist watch yet. That was about to change. As the world was about to enter its first major global war the practicality of the wrist watch was going to become abundantly evident. 
     In 1973 the Santos Dumont was relaunched as part of the Louis Cartier Collection beginning with the references 78097 and 78098. The model itself was reinterpreted a number of times with various dial designs and uses of precious metal housing several calibers. 
     The example we have hear today is what many collectors dub "Deux Ors" which is French for two golds, giving nod to the cases use of yellow gold in the case and white gold to form the bezel. This rare Santos Dumont is a rare configuration produced in very limited numbers. This example is one of the first 50 to ever be produced. 
     

ABOUT THIS WATCH: 

MANUFACTURER: Cartier

MODEL: Santos Dumont

REFERENCE: 96061

SERIAL: 96061xxxx

YEAR: 1999

DIAL: The original Paris dial is in great shape. The dial features the iconic laquered roman numerals, chemin de fur minute track and blued steel sword hands. The dial under loupe magnification 10x does present with a couple of cracks on the lacquer. They do not appear in the photographs as best as I have tried and are not visible on the wrist no matter the lighting or viewing angle. 

CASE: A solid 18kt yellow case and 18kt white gold bezel. The case measures 27mmx36mm and was considered the mens size for the time period. The case is in crisp conditions with deep hallmarks. It has been polished in the past yet the bevels are still discernable. The case features an engraving on the back that states: "Marina 23 4 99" The engraving can be gold laser filled and repolished should the prospective buyer wish at an extra cost. The case is completed by the watches original blue sapphire cabochon crown. 

MOVEMENT:  Frederick Piguet caliber 21. This is an ultra thin manually wound caliber that Cartier began placing in its extra plate models in the early 1970's. The service history is unknown. The movement can be serviced for approximately $400 plus parts. If serviced the watch will come with a one year mechanical warranty. 

BRACELET/STRAP: The watch will not come with a strap. Since it features a deployment buckle the strap needs to be custom made to exactly fit the buyers wrist.

ACCESSORIES: Cartier deployment buckle. 

BOX/PAPERS: No. 

WARRANTY: None unless the watch is serviced first. If serviced the watch will come with a one year warranty. 

BANK WIRE/ZELLE PRICE: $15,000 shipped.