The Mother of all Sports Watches! Review of the Santos de Cartier in Blue WSSA0030 / WSSA0013 

i like to hear that. congrats on the watch and happy birthday Heejoon!

I wasn't serious about this because I thought this would not fit my 16cm wrist (same as yours). But I tried it after watching this and found it was perfect on me.

Thanks!

wow good for you man, i'm also interested in buying one of these myself.

@@jarnbjorn4522 good luck man, I hope you will find good one.

second time zone would be nice though

I own the 2 tone and the ability to switch straps makes it very versatile. I know it rated for 100m , but I am leery to swim with it. I wish it had a screw down crown.

That's great to hear, I hope you'll enjoy the watch a lot!

It’s a beautiful watch but it is a scratch magnet. What’s your experience on that?

Congratulations to your new watch Joe! I love mine as well and wear it all the time.

Thank you. Happy you like the video. Make sure you try the watch on before you buy. After a few months of usage, I am not that happy with the bracelet anymore. Not very comfortable in my opinion.

Are you a chick?

Just made the purchase at the Cartier store. They are shipping a brand-new one to their store from the warehouse. If you could remove enough links for your 15 cm wrist, that means I am in the clear then. My wrist is 15.50 cm :) Tiny wrist...:)

I disagree the large size is more versatile as it works as a sports/dress watch. The medium is dainty, and screams I'm stuck in the 80s.

I like the Seamaster too. Am currently looking at a Aqua Terra with the blue rubber strap.

yes I like the WSSA0037

Thank you, Stuart. It's indeed a beautiful watch.

and it would solve the problem with the scratches. nice idea. I'm thinking yellow gold brushed

Thanks Bob, appreciate it.

Please send me a watch thanks very much I need for work.

Thanks a lot Desmond. It's the Sumo book by Helmut Newton

a man of taste

congrats! hope you're happy with your new watch

agreed, I'm looking for a white one too. might go with the Oyster Perpetual

That would be a great selection. The White dial is so classy and versatile. The 0018 reference is for the updated clasp. But is the same watch otherwise.

it's nicely curved, so the lug to lug doesn't really matter since it wraps around your wrist. best try it on though. they have stock in most Cartier stores. there's a smaller version too if you prefer that (only with white dial though)

Thank you. And great choice on the watch!

nice too, they do it only in white as a medium though.

Agree ... the medium looks, singularly, the best I've ever seen. Always subjective, but my view !

Good question man, I wasn't even aware that there are two dfferent numbers (even used them both in my video without noticing :-D I bought mine in late 2019 as WSSA0013. Now Cartier uses WSSA0030. It's still exactly the same watch though. Same size, material, movement, no difference at all. Pretty confusing move by them to just switch the model number...

Watchcraft The change in ref. number is because they now have a different deployant clasp for the leather straps. This was introduced in 2019. Instead of the clasp used for many years with the folding on both sides of the strap and without holes in the strap. Now all the new models (not only the Santos) have this new clasp. The new clasp has push buttons for release and the strap has holes in it. This is why all the ref. numbers are different now.

there's a smaller one with the white dial

i think they will let you buy the gold bezel and put it on the watch for you. Cartier customer service is fantastic

thank you. don't worry about the scratches. i got my first scratch on it while showing it to a friend on a dinner table covered with soft white cloth, can you believe it? a thick cloud could scratch the thing. aren't all lumes useless? it looks nice for 5 minutes after you "loaded" it. but after 30 minutes in the dark any lume is pretty much useless. i don't really pay attention to quality of lume anymore.

It's a massive scratch magnet. As you said you can see loads of scratches on any of these used watches on the youtube reviews.

Get the Large Grey - black ADLC bezel -- problem solved.

A polishing cloth, takes care of most scratches. I bought spare bezels from for $40 on ebay and my watchmaker can swap it out for another bezel for $65 including pressure to testing.

@@briankenny6883 Good advice, I actually ended up getting the Blue PVD version.

Danke noch für das coole Video

Man sieht auf der Lünette die Kratzer relativ schnell. Tut der Uhr aber kein Abbruch, es ist eine Sport Uhr, so schnell passiert da nichts gravierendes.

Ja, wie Joshua sagt, die Lünette ist ein Kratzmagnet. Aber die kannst du bei Cartier polieren oder gar austauschen lassen.

I think the blue looks more unique. It has applied numerals and lumed hands, which the white one doesn't. Plus there's a chance that they are going to produce the blue only for a limited time, which would improve value retention. And I wear it with pretty much anything, from suits to t-shirts.

​@@watchcraft No chance this is limited edition watch. You did address that the blue doesn't match a black suit. The white matches everything.

@@rafaeloliva6425the blue one should be pretty versatile as well. I’m thinking of getting one😊

@m0nkeyph0nic The silver opaline dial is a neutral colorwd dial and combines with more formal attire, i.e., black tie events. It also combines much better with various colored straps I use. I have both the 2 tone and stainless versions, and both are in the "white dial." The 2 tone is only offered in the silver dial and I prefer the more monochromatic look of the classic white Cartier dial with the stainless variant. There is also the legibility issue, the blue and green dials are not as easy for me to read. The blue dial is attractive, and I can see how someone would like it better, but I prefer the classic Cartier white dial, and find it to be more versatile in a sporty and elegant way.

WSSA0013 was superseded by the WSSA0030... the only difference appears to be the closure used on the clasp that comes with the leather strap.

@@zjmustard Thank you for your reply, Indeed, this seems to be the only difference.

16cm

no screw down but 100m resistant. black strap available and looks fantastic but you have to buy it additionally. the one with the white dial you can chose from the start the color of the strap

@@watchcraft thanks for reply.

Just bought this with the blue dial. They offered me a choice of straps on this as well.

Thanks man. It is definitely harder to read than for example a Rolex. But that's because of the markers and the square shape. The curved sapphire is not a problem at all.

Watchcraft Yes I found it similar with regards to curved crystals: though it does reflect a lot of light it doesn't seem to get in your eyes thankfully. Thanks for the reply!

The White dial solves any legibility issues.

Because it’s not circular...id is no case diameter. Just dimensions, which, are on the cartier website

There is *

39.5mm

Thanks. 16 cm

probably. they even offered me to switch to a different color dial later on. and I can keep the old dial, unlike Rolex where they won't give you your old parts back. Cartier customer service is fantastic!

​@watchcraft chicken? I don't think good screw on the bezel are an option. I have the 2 tone, which has stainless screws holding down the gold bezel. But does have gold accent screws on the bracelet.

16cm

they trade below retail

@@watchcraft hi, how do you think it will hold it’s value ? Will it at some point, go back over it’s retail price...? Thanks in advance.

@@ibrahimkrasavitv8313 don't count on it selling for over retail. unless you factor in inflation. but judging from chrono24 it holds value nicely so far. I could sell mine for 80% of what I paid for retail.

Nasser84nl already answered this for us (I didn't know either): Watchcraft The change in ref. number is because they now have a different deployant clasp for the leather straps. This was introduced in 2019. Instead of the clasp used for many years with the folding on both sides of the strap and without holes in the strap. Now all the new models (not only the Santos) have this new clasp. The new clasp has push buttons for release and the strap has holes in it. This is why all the ref. numbers are different now.

beautiful Omega!

I think it's the monster...It certainly looks like it on the wrist.😅

the blue dial santos only comes in large, unlike the white dial

16cm

@@watchcraft ok very beautiful watch indeed although a tad on the larger size from the way it looks on your wrist.

@@sghu11 there's a smaller version with the white dial

@@watchcraft yup i have an 8" wrist so it should look alright on mine. Definitely one to buy. The white is very vintage now.

Thank you. Both great watches but with a veeery different look.

@@watchcraft yes, i know. Cant get them both right now, but think i will for Panerai. Thanks

I’m so disappointed in Panerai after they introduced the “Due” series. Can you imagine that Panerai, with their diving heritage, created an entire series of Luminor products that only have 30m water resistance, while the Santos has a full 100m in a 9mm case. Panerai have entirely lost their way.

Geduld, je länger wartisch, desto meh freusch di wännds sie endlich häsch!

Agreed, more legible, iconic and goes matches with a greater variety of clothing.

Then buy a medium. His wrist size is only 6.3 » which is arguably too small for this watch. But hey, if he likes it…. A 7 » or more wrist size would be better, as it’s all a matter of proportion.

The medium is dainty, it's no where near a "monster." My girlfriend rocks one as well. Are you stuck in the 80s?

thanks a lot

even polyester will scratch it. no joke.

@@watchcraft I have the Cartier de Santos in white, wear it very occasionally. The first time I wore it, it was to my sisters wedding. I wholly agree with it being a scratch magnet. I was as careful as possible on her wedding day and it still came out with a few battle scars. The polished bezel around the dial is very susceptible to it - and even more so is the brushed sides of the dial. Still, it's a gorgeous watch with an impeccable, elegant, classy and timeless design. I really like the blue face one in your video! It looks gorgeous, the camera doesn't do the sunburst dial justice at all!

There are lots of great watches for little money. I love Seiko. And my Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical is the one I wear most in the whole collection. Go look at these.

Agreed! I have the 2 tone, and bought multiple straps. Super versatile timepiece.

interesting. how so? for me, as soon as a watch costs over 1'000 i won't buy it if it hasn't an in-house movement. unless it's vintage.

@@watchcraft 1. expensive service 2. Limited actual credible servicers 3. Limited parts I also wonder about the opportunity cost of in house development. What innovation was lost spending ages developing in house capacity. ETA makes time tested, great movements that are readily serviced. I know it can limit the creativity of the design because certain elements are fixed like the height and position of the subdials.

@@rolandharris2706 good point about the servicing. you'll spend 1'000 usd for a Rolex service. i rarely pay that much for a car service. also I own a Hamilton and am really happy with the ETA movement. i guess i should reconsider my stance on in-house movements. thank you for the input

Nope, I don't know the name of the artist though. But not him.

@@watchcraft So romanctic lol. Keep up the content - we need more!

@@monkeypawism Thank you! I appreciate it.

well it was created for a pilot to fit its needs while operating his aircraft. but that was a long time ago. now it does not provide any additional functionality for a pilot. so I gues swe have to say it WAS a pilots watch.

We don‘t care what you believe in. Look up the history of this watch. And it‘s officially even a sports watch, not a dress watch like you „think“..

Agreed. But the bezel can easily be polished or even replaced, so I don't worry about it anymore.

Cartier will polish that right up for you.

Cartier polishes for you But how much it cost??

You have that watch but for how much did you buy the watch and dose it glow in the dark

Looks fine on his wrist. The medium will look like a woman’s watch. Do mirror shots. It is the best way to see the fitment.

​@@daviddoan8076agree the medium looks like women's size. large is the best for men

The medium is too dainty.

Listen more carefully. He qualified it by saying "man's" wristwatch. Cartier is, in fact, the first man's wristwatch, while Patek's was for a woman.

It's ok little fella

@@albolvo yep, everyone’s a tough guy sitting behind their computer screen….

Those with small, dainty wrists seem to want to convince others who don’t to buy small watches. Cartier is class in any size. But the watch must fit the person. His wrist size is only 6.3". A wrist size of 7" or more would give a different look. However, it's a matter of taste which is very individual.

@@whereRbearsTeeth He's right.. It's ok little dude. We're not part of your IWC problem. Man up.

​@@craigh.9810 I wonder if Mohamed Ali had small wrists. That would explain why he wore his tiny Tank. Or may be he had just good taste.

oohh that's a mean one :-D strongly disagree though, they make watches since 1903. i'd hardly call that a fashon brand

Cartier gets a pass from the watch community. The tank and santos are icons. This isn't a Gucci or Versace watch!

@@mazin13 thanks for backing me up, well said

Ah yes, the Cartier Santos, one of the oldest watch designs and one of the most iconic watches ever, a fashion watch. Truly well said

@@tobidnottobid4000 thumbs up