Cartier - 2010s Cartier Santos 100 XL 2656

WHAT WE LOVE:

The Cartier Santos is the oldest named wristwatch in the world — designed by Louis Cartier in 1904 for his friend the Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont, who needed to read the time in flight without taking his hands from the controls. More than a century later, the Santos 100 XL is the most fully realised expression of that founding design: the signature square case, the visible screws on the bezel and bracelet and the Roman numeral dial.

The 2656 in steel and rubber is the Santos 100 XL at its most contemporary. Where the all-steel bracelet version reads as dressy and structured, the rubber configuration transforms the same case into something sporting — a watch that carries the full weight of the Santos design language with a lightness and casual ease. The black rubber bezel softens the case edges while maintaining the silhouette, and the integrated black rubber strap sits against the wrist with comfort. The white dial with its bold black Roman numerals best demonstrates what the Santos does with its dial space: simple and elegant.

WHAT'S INSIDE:

The 2656 is powered by Cartier's Calibre 049 — based on the ETA 2892-A2 architecture, COSC chronometer certified, delivering accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day across 21 jewels at 28,800 vibrations per hour with a 42-hour power reserve.

FIVEFORTYFIVE SIX MONTHS WARRANTY