Cartier Santos Dumont Platinum - Extra Plate (Ultra Thin) Pre-CPCP w/ Box & Papers

     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 "Pre-CPCP." If you haven't heard that term used before let me give you a bit of a rundown. CPCP stands for "Collection Privee Cartier Paris." It is a model line released in 1998 whos creation was in response to a shift in consumer desires for high end, luxury mechanical timepieces. The line spanned a decade and resulted in approximately 30,000 pieces being produced.
     The term Pre-CPCP refers to Cartier timepieces released in the years prior to the collection privee that had similar characteristics to the watches that followed. Most notably, the dials, which featured an ever so sublte guilloche technique. The reference 1575 in particular also swapped out the ETA based Cartier 78 for a Frederick Piguet 21. The movement is an improvement on a number of fronts and boasts a higher standard of finishing while keeping roughly the same amount of power reserve despite being considerably thinner. Its a very thin movement leading to Cartier watches equipped with them to be referred to as "Extra Plate" or "Extra Flat." 
     

ABOUT THIS WATCH: 

MANUFACTURER: Cartier

MODEL: Santos Dumont

REFERENCE: 1575

SERIAL: 1575xxxx

YEAR: 1998

DIAL: The original, swiss only dial is in great shape. The dial features the ever so subtle guilloche finish that resembles the CPCP era of Cartier that was to come. The dial features the classic Roman numerals and blued sword hands. 

CASE: A solid Platinum case. The case measures 27mmx36mm. The case is in very crisp conditions with deep hallmarks. The original brushed finish can be appreciated on the cases anterior, mid, and posterior surfaces. It is contrasted by a mirror polished bezel and bevels whos lines remain very distinct. 

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 $325 plus parts. If serviced the watch will come with a one year mechanical warranty. 

BRACELET/STRAP: The watch will come with its original Cartier strap. 

ACCESSORIES: Outer box, inner box, informational pamphlets, original strap, 18kt white gold buckle, papers.

BOX/PAPERS: Yes. 

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

BANK WIRE/ZELLE PRICE: $22,000 shipped.