Editor’s note: Like you, we are also excited for the Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties. Before we get to dive deep into them, here’s our preview & Gut Reaction Review (Grr…) of the new Cartier Santos Dumont 2022. For our detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here. This is NOT a sponsored post.
The 3 New Cartier Santos Dumont 2022 (and 1 Santos) In A Nutshell
If you like non-circular watches, especially the square or rectangular variety, the new steel version ref. CRWSSA0046 of the Cartier Santos Dumont 2022 is the best value buy from this year’s Cartier releases.
I know that’s a bold statement, given they also released the likes of the magical Cartier Privé Tank Chinoise collection. Cartier at Watches & Wonders this year also announced the all black lacquered dialled Cartier Tank Must and Cartier Tank Louis Cartier. These feature the traditional rectangular case with steel or gold bodies, that provide contrast to the black dial. Simply timeless. Simultaneously, they all announced further colourful Cartier Tank Louis Cartier models, this time with a sort of hypnotic dial created by an electrochemical engraving technique that creates a visual extravaganza whereby you see different shade and textures of the same colour.
Most brands would have been content with this; but not Cartier. Presenting the new Cartier Santos Dumont 2022 models in three different colours and case materials, including all black lacquered steel beauty ref. CRWSSA0046. That’s right – the case, bezel and the dial are all finished with coloured lacquer.
But not only that, they have taken that mesmeric dial effect and carried it forward to the Cartier Santos Dumont 2022 models. So for those who are in a state of confusion as to which of these to buy, should they buy the Tank Must Black or the LC Black or the Cartier Tank Louis Cartier with patterned dials, the new Cartier Santos Dumont 2022 provides the solution: it takes the best of all of these, and presents it in a more pocket-friendly avatar, courtesy the steel case. I also love that while the platinum version ref. CRWGSA0053 with burgundy details is limited to only 150 pieces and the beige dialled rose gold version ref. CRWGSA0054 to 250, this black beauty steel version is thankfully part of the regular production.
Simply put: black dial, hypnotic dial architecture, and the movement as found in the Cartier Privé Tank Chinoise collection. The new Cartier Santos Dumont 2022 has got it all. It’s definitely the 2020 design language based quintessential Cartier timepiece with the peripheral railroad track, the squared-off aesthetics and Roman numerals, but the addition of being covered in lacquer and that dial that seems to never end courtesy the infinite shrinking squares is just something else. And don’t forget that ~7’500 AUD price point. You really have to fight hard to resist the temptation. I know, I already am.
Basic Specs
All three models of the new Cartier Santos Dumont 2022 collection feature the same case measurements of 43.5mm x 31.4mm x 7.3mm. For someone with slim wrists, I personally prefer this over the Extra-Large models that sit at 46.6mm x 33.9mm x 7.5mm.
Inside all of them ticks the same calibre 430 MC as found in the non-skeletonised Cartier Privé Tank Chinoise models. Now that’s value especially considering the black version should be around the 7’500 AUD mark). The 430 MC is based on the Piaget caliber 430P, and measures 20.5mm in diameter and 2.1mm in thickness, beats at the low frequency of 3Hz, comprises 18 jewels & 131 components, and provides a very basic 36 to 43-hour power reserve. I have said this before as well, but the mere fact that the power reserve is so low and the watches are manual-wound is a beautiful combination in my heart – it allows to develop a special bond with the watch courtesy the daily ritual of winding it.
In other news from the brand, they are also releasing a new version of the Cartier Santos (but we don’t have much press information about it yet). With a horizontal stripes textured dial and bezel, it definitely is a show-stopper. More on it hopefully soon…
These were announced on 30 March 2022 as part of the Watches & Wonders 2022 March 30 to April 5 (both online and at the Salon) and to find out more about the new Cartier Santos Dumont 2022 and their other watches, please head to their website here. All images unless otherwise stated are courtesy are COPYRIGHT © 2022 CARTIER. Make sure to check out our reviews of other Watches & Wonders 2022 novelties here.
