£3,850.00
The 1994 Cartier Santos in stainless steel with blue numerals is a continuation of one of the most historically significant wristwatches ever produced. The Santos traces its origins to 1904, when Louis Cartier designed a wristwatch for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, making it one of the earliest purpose-built wristwatches for men. By the 1970s, the Santos had been reinterpreted as a luxury sports watch with integrated bracelet and visible screws—an aesthetic that carried into the 1994 stainless steel model. The case remained true to the squared, softened geometry of earlier versions, typically around 29–30mm in width, with a polished bezel, exposed screw details, and a sapphire-topped crown, all elements that had become defining features of the line.
One of the distinctive features of the 1994 Santos model is its blue Roman numeral dial, a rare and visually striking departure from the traditional black numerals on white or silver dials commonly associated with Cartier. The vivid coloration complements the heat-blued hands and reinforces Cartier’s longstanding use of color and contrast to enhance legibility and visual harmony. Powered by a Cartier-branded Swiss quartz movement during this era, the watch reflects a broader shift in the 1980s and early 1990s when Cartier embraced quartz technology to appeal to a growing international audience that prioritized precision and ease of maintenance over mechanical complexity.
From a cultural and collector perspective, the 1994 Santos with blue numerals occupies an interesting niche. It belongs to a period when Cartier was reasserting itself as both a watchmaker and a design house, with models like the Santos bridging heritage and contemporary fashion. While quartz movements from this era are sometimes overlooked by purist collectors, interest has grown in recent years as enthusiasts seek out distinctive variants and appreciate the design pedigree and historic significance of the Santos line. The blue numeral edition, in particular, stands out as a relatively uncommon dial configuration, making it an appealing example of Cartier’s design experimentation within the framework of a longstanding icon.
| Case Size | 29–30mm |
|---|---|
| Complications | Date |
| Delivery | Full set, Box + Papers |
| Reference | 987801 |
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