Cartier Santos vs Santos Dumont: Key Differences

Hey there, watch lover! Yeah, well you’re looking at the Cartier Santos and Santos Dumont, aren’t you? It’s hard to say who is sweeter, but they are as opposite as possible, at least when it comes to sweets. It is time to discuss what drives each of those and decide which might become your best wrist companion.

The Tale of Two Santos

Now that we understand the basics let’s discuss where these watches originate from. That concept all began with a person due to the name of Alberto Santos-Dumont. He was a pilot, and one day he got annoyed at how he often struggle to take out his pocket watch while flying. To begin with, when he ordered another one, his friend Louis Cartier gifted him a wristwatch. That was in 1904 and this is one of the earliest examples of the wrist watches known to man.

Santos vs Santos Dumont: The Basics

Let’s break it down:

The Santos

• It’s the new kid on the block, a modern take on the old design
• It’s tougher and sportier
• You can get it in different materials and sizes

The Santos Dumont

• It’s closer to what Alberto wore back in the day
• It’s fancier and more elegant
• It’s thinner and usually smaller

Comparison Of Santos vs Santos Dumont

Here’s a quick side-by-side look:

Let’s Get Up Close and Personal

The Santos

This watch is like your friend who’s always ready for anything. It’s got:

1. A square case with soft corners
2. Screws you can see on the bezel
3. A metal bracelet (but you can swap it for leather)
4. Roman numerals for the hours
5. Hands shaped like swords

The Santos Dumont

This one’s like your stylish grandpa – classic and smooth. It’s got:

1. A thinner square case
2. No visible screws on the bezel
3. A leather strap (no metal bracelet option)
4. Roman numerals for the hours
5. Hands shaped like swords

What’s Ticking Inside

Here’s where these two really start to show their differences.

The Santos

The Santos has an automatic movement. That means it winds itself as you move your arm. Cool, right? It uses something called the Cartier Caliber 1847 MC. This little engine has:

• 23 tiny jewels inside
• While it’s operating, it can keep running for 42 hours, even with it detached.
• Technically, it is called a balance wheel, one that aids in telling time, and oscillates 28,800 times in an hour.

And it’s just like having this little tiny self-contained mechanism coming off your wrist.

The Santos Dumont

It employs a Quartz Movement. Yep, it’s battery-powered. But do not look the gift horse in the mouth just yet! This Cartier special high-efficiency Quartz movement extends battery life to up to 6 years without the need for battery replacement. Well, that is quite good bearing in mind that this is a quartz watch.

See related: Cartier Santos Medium vs Large

Size Matters

With regards to watches, it is astonishing how much impact the size of the watch has on the overall design and the way it is worn.

The Santos

The Santos comes in a couple of sizes:

• Medium: 35.1mm x 41.9mm
• Large: 39.8mm x 47.5mm

It’s also a bit thicker, about 8.83mm for the medium size.

The Santos Dumont

The Santos Dumont is generally smaller and thinner:

• Small: 27.5mm x 38.5mm
• Large: 31.4mm x 43.5mm

It’s super thin, with the large model measuring just 7mm thick.

What They’re Made Of

Both watches come in different materials, but they do it in their own way.

The Santos

The Santos is all about choices. You can get it in:

• Stainless steel
• Yellow gold
• Rose gold
• Two-tone (steel and gold)

Some even come with diamonds on the bezel if you’re feeling extra fancy.

The Santos Dumont

The Santos Dumont keeps it simpler:

• Steel
• Rose gold
• Yellow gold
• Platinum (for special editions)

It’s all about that classic, elegant look.

How They Handle Water

Let’s talk about how these watches deal with a splash.

The Santos

The Santos can take the soak. The devices are water resistant up to 100 meters or 330 feet. Take it swimming course it’s not for scuba so leave it on the boat if you are doing scuba diving.

The Santos Dumont

The Santos Dumont can be pointed out as a virtual marine watch but indeed it has very few ties to it. Although it is put as being water resistant to 30 meters or 100 feet for that matter. Well, it will be okay if you’re in the rain or washing your hands, but don’t try swimming with it.

How They Stick to Your Wrist

The way these watches attach to your arm is another big difference between them.

The Santos

The Santos comes with a metal bracelet but here is the best part; it has Cartier’s QuickSwitch system. That means without using any tools you can change the bracelet with a strap made of leather. This is more than getting two watches for the price of one or two holidays for that matter.

The Santos Dumont

The Santos Dumont only comes on a leather strap, no bracelet. It’s just that type of cell they will make part of the dressy fancy look they have going. The strap is made from Alligator leather and that feels quite sweet on your wrist.

Let’s Talk Money

Very well then, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of the matter – how much are these watches going to cost?

The Santos

The Santos starts at around $6,800/ AED 25000 for the medium steel model and goes up from there. If you want gold, you’re looking at over $30,000/ AED110000.

The Santos Dumont

The Santos Dumont is generally cheaper, starting at about $3,900/ AED 14500 for the large steel model. Gold versions cost more, with the rose gold model priced at around $15,000/ AED 55000.

Real People, Real Watches

I chatted with Sarah (not her real name), who owns both watches. Here’s what she said:

“I wear my Santos every day. It’s tough, and I don’t worry about banging it around. But when I’m dressing up for a night out, I always grab my Santos Dumont. It just makes any outfit look fancier.”

The Nitty-Gritty Details

Now, let’s get into some stuff that most people don’t talk about:

1. The Crown: It also has a larger and more raised crown mounted with a blue spinel cabochon. The Santos Dumont’s crown is also slightly smaller and discreet, and outlines have beading on them.
2. The Dial: The Santos features a date indicator at 6 o’clock but the Santos Dumont doesn’t have a date complication at all.
3. The Lume: The Santos has luminous material at the hands and hour markers to ensure that you are able to easily read the time at night. Anyway, the Santos Dumont has no lume at all.
4. The Caseback: Santos has a case back while some models of Santos Dumont have a sapphire crystal case back for the movement, though it is of quartz type.
5. The Finishing: The Santos has both brushed and polished steel surfaces giving it that sporty look that we associate with luxury timepieces. The Santos Dumont is mostly polished making it appear even more classy.
6. The Bracelet/Strap: Santos bracelet is compatible with a smart link system which makes it easy to add or remove links for alteration of the bracelet size without the use of tools. The Santos Dumont uses a unique curve to the leather strap which makes it more comfortable to wear around the wrist.
7. The Bezel: While Santos has its bezel incorporated in the case, Santos Dumont’s bezel is integrated surrounded to the case but is a different piece that fits onto the case.
8. The Crystal: Both employ the use of sapphire crystal with the Santos naked with anti-glare technology on both sides while the Santos Dumont features it at the back.
9. Special Editions: The Santos usually receives vibrant dial choices and time plate exhibitions. More limited editions based on the Santos Dumont are created, which are a reference to the spirit of the given vintage, such as the recent La Demoiselle model.
10. The Box: At first glance, it may not sound like much, but the Santos comes in a slightly bigger box with more tweaking finery than the Santos Dumont, which is shipped in a rather basic and smaller box.

Which One’s Your Match?

So, which one should you go for? Here are some things to think about:

1. Your daily grind: Do you need a watch that can handle anything, or are you looking for something for special times?
2. Your style: Do you prefer sporty, or are you all about classic elegance?
3. How it ticks: Are you into watches that wind themselves, or do you like the accuracy of quartz?
4. Size: Which size feels right on your wrist?
5. Your wallet: How much are you willing to spend?

The Final Word

Both the Santos and the Santos Dumont are great watches, but they’re for different folks and different times.

You might like the Santos if:

• You want a watch you can wear every day
• Do you like the idea of swapping between a bracelet and a strap
• You’re into watches that wind themselves
• You don’t mind spending a bit more

The Santos Dumont might be your thing if:

• You’re after a dressier watch
• Do you like a thinner, more old-school design
• You’re okay with a battery-powered watch
• You want to spend a bit less

Well, to some extent, it really does not matter what is right for someone else if it is not right for you. These two watches have a cool back story and both originate from the brand Cartier. Well, which one of them is calling your name?The tool watch for the rough business day or the sleek dress watch? It is for you to decide, and there is no way that you can go wrong whatever your decision will be.

FAQs