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145Σ

Cartier

Ref. 4299 and WGSA0099

Santos Dumont "La Baladeuse Champs Elysées, 1903"

An attractive and starlit platinum wristwatch with aventurine dial part of a 100 pieces limited edition

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Iconic and historically significant, the Santos-Dumont takes its name from Alberto Santos-Dumont, the pioneering Brazilian aviator and close friend of Louis Cartier. Designed specifically for aviation, the watch broke new ground with its square case, bold Roman numerals, and leather strap, offering practicality and elegance for pilots. Its innovative design, created in 1904, remains one of Cartier’s most enduring and celebrated creations, embodying the spirit of exploration and modernity.

Released in 2025 as a limited edition of 100 pieces exclusively for the French market, the present Santos - Dumont features a stunning aventurine dial, giving the watch an almost cosmic look. Crafted in platinum, this timepiece is full of small but meaningful details such as the ruby cabochon on the crown, the discreet "1903" signature on the 7 o'clock hour marker and the caseback engraving "La Baladeuse Champs Elysées, 1903" alluding to the year that Alberto Santos Dumont landed in front of his house in Paris.

The present example is a highly sought-after limited edition Santos-Dumont that beautifully captures why Cartier is so often hailed as the “King of Jewelers and Jeweler of Kings.” Preserved in excellent condition, it is a piece that quietly impresses and is sure to captivate anyone who lays eyes on it.

Cartier

French

With the Constitution of 1848 came a new standard for luxury in France. Founded one year prior by Louis-Francois Cartier, the house of Cartier was one of the first to use platinum in jewelry making. This incredibly expensive material became the stepping-stone for Cartier to experiment in form, mechanisms and attitude. It helped men move from pocket watches to wristwatches, effectively making the watch much more functional and prominent in a man's overall wardrobe.

Cartier did not only touch on functionality. Inspired by a commissioned painting by George Barbier featuring a black panther at the feet of an elegantly bejeweled woman, Cartier began incorporating wild animals in his designs—most notably, Cartier Panthère rings, bangle bracelets and watches. Yet it wasn't until the late 1960s that the house of Cartier debuted their iconic yellow and rose gold LOVE collection, which includes the famous bracelet that only a special screwdriver can open. 

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