Cartier Santos-Dumont Ref. WSSA0046

The Cartier Santos-Dumont in black lacquer is the most graphic version of Cartier's oldest wristwatch. The Santos was created in 1904 for the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to read the time while flying without reaching for a pocket watch, and its squared case with exposed screws has been recognisable ever since. This reference takes that shape and renders it almost entirely in black: a steel case finished in black lacquer, a black lacquered bezel, and a glossy black dial engraved with a square pattern under translucent lacquer, so the surface reads with real depth as the light moves.

Against the black, applied Roman numerals, a rail-track minute scale and blued-steel sword-shaped hands keep it legible and unmistakably Cartier. The beaded crown is set with a faceted blue synthetic spinel, the single point of colour, and the case is the large model at 43.5 by 31.4mm and just 7.3mm thick, so it stays slim under a cuff.

This is the hand-wound version, driven by the ultra-thin calibre 430 MC with around 38 hours of power reserve, and the caseback carries Santos-Dumont's engraved signature, a nod to the man the watch is named for. It is water resistant to 30 metres, on a black alligator strap with a steel pin buckle. At Konesseur, every Cartier is authenticated and inspected in Dubai before listing, and the UAE's 5% VAT keeps a piece at this level below European retail. See more Cartier watches or the full watches range to compare.

• Reference and model: Cartier Santos-Dumont, large model, Ref. WSSA0046, steel with black lacquer, 43.5 x 31.4 x 7.3mm
• Dial and movement: glossy black square-engraved lacquer dial, applied Roman numerals, rail-track minute scale, blued-steel sword hands, beaded crown set with a blue synthetic spinel, hand-wound calibre 430 MC, ~38h power reserve
• Build: black lacquered bezel, sapphire crystal, caseback engraved with Santos-Dumont's signature, 30m water resistance, black alligator strap with steel pin buckle