Im a watch repairman and i go through 50 or so watches a week. A customer brought in an earlier version of this watch to be sized and i was amazed. You really have to hold it to see its perfection. This is my "goal" watch.
@@michir6279 Everyone walks a different path. For you 6k might be just 6k. For others 6k is putting themselves way before their loved ones. Not saying one's right or wrong, but just because it's easy for you doesn't mean it's easy for everyone else.
@@couragefox Guesd like any watch would depend how you wear it. I have worn for two weeks straight and no scratches. Any watch with a polished steel bezel will acquire scratches more easily, but these are surface scratches. Plus in principle because of the nature of the bezel construction this can be replaced and also polished at service so should not get that bad.
The difference in the comments between here and Hodinkee is night and day. I, for one, love this watch. Looks like Cartier did everything right with this release.
Go for it. Get the medium. Im 6,3 250 i have a large 2 tone. Becuase my size but its too large for most of my normal sized friends lol. Only Cartier i indulged in. I love it.
The Santos is one of the 5-10 most iconic watch designs of all time. Its timeless just like the JLC Reverso, Speedmaster Professional, Oyster 39, and a few others. Its why you dont mess with perfection. This watch can do it all. Casual at home or totally rocking it with a suit and tie.
I'm 17 and have become obsessed with this watch having only seen it for the first time about an hour ago in another video. Something about the robust, somewhat industrial look is so appealing, and little things like the screws not being perfectly facing the same way and the gem on the crown add so much character and charm to it. I've only become interested in watches recently but am already planning to buy myself this watch for my 30th or 40th birthday when I have (hopefully) a good job and the money to spend.
Received my new Cartier Santos (large model w/date) today. The bracelet has been described as Rolex & Audemars Piguet quality. I heartily agree. It’s substantive. The fit and finish on this timepiece can only be described as “haute joaillerie”. It’s fluid and elegant. The 2020 version has an upgraded deployment buckle with a spring loaded quick release built into it. The leather strap is now custom fitted at the “C” end of the buckle. It’s finished with a built in quick release spring bar. It’s a much more tailored approach than having to pull the strap under the buckle on both sides. Listening to the MC 1847 movement, while I wound it, revealed a quality resonance. This in house 23 jewel movement is much improved over the ETA 2894 in my Cartier Roadster. Though power reserve remains at 42 hours. Cartier goes high tech by using a QR Code allowing its customer to quickly scan and register the watch for its eight year warranty. Yes, 8 Years!
All I have to say is, as a male, thank you so much you using the medium and not the large in this video. Almos impossible to find a male wearing the medium, everyone goes for the large which I find too,....large.
Both look good. I have to say though that I personally thought the medium looked too small and dainty on the wrist. That's just my personal opinion obviously. I thought the large, with its curved lugs actually fit very well on the wrist.
My mother has the medium. She is 5'3" and about 100 pounds and is 76 years old. I am 6 feet tall, and about twice that weight wise, and I ALMOST got the medium. I am glad I got the large.
As a person who’s watched hundreds of RU-vid watch videos I can say there is a heavy bias in the comments to sporty or tool watches and also to the handful of big brands. You hear a lot of comments like “that’s too flashy” or “you’d be nuts to pay that much”. Guys, if you feel this way these watches aren’t made for you. You don’t wear a suit, you are under 35, and/or you are not in your peak earning years etc. Go knock yourself out with your Rolex sports models that your friends won’t find odd and don’t come too unravelled in the comments. Great vid. Makes me want to get one!
TwentyOne Five well put my man it also seems as though many men lack conviction with regards to their own masculinity that they would call this design feminine
TwentyOne Five idk what comments you’re reading lol. You don’t really see comments like that aside from the ones that say many watches are overpriced which is absolutely true. If you think paying tens of thousands for a SS AP is worth it’s face value then you’re wrong. It’s overpriced and valued that much bc of branding and marketing
@@popsgewd5640 well, some years ago I found Rolex to be way overpriced. Until you try to sell some other luxury watch. Yes, you pay a lot for Daytona, but you get your money back when selling it. It doesn't happen with most brands. So yeah, you pay more than $50K for stainless steel Patek, but you'll get it back selling, so what's the problem? If you buy Santos Skeleton at retail price, how much you'd get selling it? Fraction of that price.
Great review. My wrist is 7.25 inches and I bought the santos large. I usually wear a Rolex date just 41 or the cartier roadster. But the santos large was to bulky and somehow didn’t feel like cartier. So I traded it in for the santos medium you reviewed. The medium is classic and iconic. I love it. I don’t mind the micro scratches on the bezel. It makes the watch look even better since it is a version of the first santos created in 1904. And was really the first man’s wrist watch offered To the public in 1911. Before that men used pocket watches. I think a santos medium should be in everyone’s watch collection even if that collection contains only 1 watch. This one.
The large might to some just be better. The large fit is underrated. It isn't a problem that it looks big, big isn't always bad. Look at Jake Gyllenhaal, he's their ambassador and he rocks the large version with brilliance despite not having huge wrists. It's just a matter of taste and how you wear it. He even wears it lose, to really give off that it is more than just a classic elegant dress watch, but can also easily be used in day to day. Your history story is always a nice tail. There's something unique about a watch with that kind of history.
@@KTK44 I actually like large watches. I have a huge cartier roadster XL that I wear ( I also wear it lose ). But for me the santos large was just to large for a classic santos. But I agree with you. At the end of the day watches are all personal taste. I traded my 38mm datejust rolex in for the 41mm datejust after rolex came out with that new larger size. They still make a 37mm version for people who like that classic size. It’s all personal taste .
I bought the previous Santos, 20 years ago, if you blink hard to see the slight differences, the most obvious thing on the new version is the ommison of the date window. Overall, I have to say this has been the best purchase I've ever made, always feels classy and seems to stand out whether wearing a business suit or casual clothes. You'll also get alot of comments as this watch is noticable for its understatement rather than its flashness. To any doubters don't hesitate to buy, a great investment which will last and look good for a lifetime, but a great investment which says more about you and your taste than any top of the range car or designer outfit.
Just bought the medium and LOVE it. I can see this piece causing the other watches in my collection to go back into the safe. And that says a lot considering I own pieces from Rolex, Omega, JLC, PP, AP, and ALS. It’s just THAT good!
@@auddemars 2 years later and I still feel the same about my Cartier. Sure, it has a few more battle scars (which will happen on ANY watch). But I love it as much today as I did when I first got it. Can’t recommend it enough!
@@auddemarsI love it even more! Still my daily wear. Is it showing some wear?….sure. But I don’t care. I just get so much pleasure looking down and seeing it on my wrist. Still can’t recommend it enough
This is real watch heritage. This is the watch that popularized wrist watches Not like rolex that needs to buy their heritage by putting their products on the wrists of actors and sport pioneers. Cartier has more horology heritage than Rolex can only dream of
Snazzy Labs I wanted the Drive too until I tried them on for size. The standard Drive is too big and cluttered with date window and seconds dial. The extra flat version was too boring for me. I love the Santos but wish the bezel was brushed and not polished. Fix that next year and it might be perfect.
Love the watch! I can't believe more luxury watch manufacturers haven't adapted the quick swap bracelet and smart link bracelet. It would make every brand that much more desirable/marketable especially in this smart watch day and age.
I have owned this watch for 18 years & it has given me great pleasure in that time. The design is timeless, a thing of great beauty & style. Now it is time to sell & move on to something different.....
I received this watch in quartz as a gift in the early 1990’s. It’s been on my wrist since, except sometimes I wear a Casio diver in the ocean. I have worn this watch in the shower, pool, hot tub and ocean (not diving) without issue. Battery lasts about 4 years. About 10 years ago I started changing the battery myself (Cartier charged $55 for battery). It’s a great watch to wear with a suit or long sleeve dress shirt.
I tried the medium at a jeweller’s and it is lovely. I actually ended up buying the large as I got it at a good price. I can happily wear either so it wasn’t a difficult decision over the size. I look at it directly on the wrist and it seems large but when I see it in the mirror it seems to shrink so I think it is more a matter of perspective. Mine is a 2018 model that came unworn and fully stickered up and I immediately registered it with Cartier to get the free extended warranty. The strap sizing system is truly impressive requiring nothing more than a finger nail. Awesome! Finishing is very impressive and you really need to take a look at the dial with a loupe to see how crisp and clean the printing is. I love the little hidden Cartier print in the seven. Wonderful history behind the Santos line and it is probably the most elegant pilot/sports watch ever made.
You are totally right, I wear jeans, Fred Perry or Ben Sherman's polos, and naturally a MA-1 bombers. My Galbée complete it perfectly, even in Or et Acier this watch is still an action watch!
Love the Santos! Was looking after the right reference for a while but I think I found my spot with this exact 2018 Santos w/o date. Thanks for showing this beauty!
8thWeekday Me too, honestly surprised at the amount of hate it is getting here, because I love it... price is, well, a bit much for me, but if I could afford it, I'd totally buy it
Hey buddy, I am thinking to buy one but have no idea which size I should take. My wrist is quite slim only 15.5cm circumference. Any advise on medium or large size ?
I wear a Galbée Or et Acier as part of my rotation, as an everyday's watch: it's more solid than many people think, I absolutely love the small size that makes me forget about it until I look at it. It's not easy to wear at first, due to its iconic design that put it totally appart in a category by itself, its small size, its materials, but I find its rebellious these days to wear one! (in my Corporate environment there is the game of big watches, from wannabe's Fossil up to the Daytona) PS: this watch will go to one of my nephew that appreciate watches (the later the better ;) ), it is totally timeless in any way.
I have just let myself love watches and rolex....yes still the leader (CMIIW). However, I like something that is not worn by most people (CMIIW again). I don't see many people wear this in Jakarta. In my perspective, this watch is discreet luxury and when you buy the Santos, you buy a fine watch and fine jewelry at the same time. At the moment, I am saving up for this and cannot wait until 1 day to have this on my wrist. I like the concept of smartlink and the provided spare leather strap. Yes, you won't see the inside of the machine but I think it is still very nice to wear.
Unpopular opinion i think the large looks better. most videos show close up of wrist shots which makes the watch look bigger as they seem.. but if you look at it with the whole body i think the medium is too small 😅 for me at least.
Hodinkee invited to a Cartier event then a couple of weeks later a gushing review lands. There was no balanced critique here, it was almost a promotional short. Usual fare and pretty disapointing.
Dont think theres anything wrong with the watch per se. My comment has nothing to do with the watch. Its just a general observation that a site that frames themselves as "true journalists" doesnt act in that manner too often. Appreciate that they have to bring money in etc, we all have to eat!
Is it a new watch? There are scratches all over it already. What will it look like after a year? Is there a micro adjustment on the band? It looks like the only adjustment is by taking out the links or adding more links.
The ORIGINAL pilots watch, ORIGINAL sports watch and what Gérald Genta was wearing when he copies it for AP just changing shape and losing numerals lol
Thanks for such an excellent review Stephen. You guys (and gals) over at Hodinkee know how to make first class videos. This is a brand that was never on my radar until I watched this review. But after watching this and doing some research, this is definitely now high on my list. It's refreshingly cool to see a non-circular watch. There's just something about it that is so unique and cool. Also, I never really like Roman numerals, but I love them on this watch. Does anyone have a feel for what kind of a discount you can get on these new? How do they do on the used market?
I was really excited about the Drive de Cartier extra flat. But when I went to see it in person. The Santos caught my eye more and after trying them both on. I prefer the Santos. Cartier did a great job and I can see this Santos and the new Drive doing very well.
Not sure what size to get! Medium or large? I have a 17cm wrist or 7 and 13/16th inches. Wish the medium had the date, but I can see how it might become cramped if they had. I need to try on both! Ted
