Face of the Cartier Santos 100 Women's Watch

Review by Kaitlin Young

The Santos collection was inspired by an aviator, Alberto Santos-Dumont, and friend of Louis Cartier. It was for Alberto that Louis created the first ever men’s wristwatch, so he could keep track of time while flying without having to use an awkward pocket watch. Like the first wristwatch, the Cartier Santos 100 women’s medium watch W20122U2 is a unique timepiece with a distinctly industrial edge. The wristband is attached to the watch with four stainless steel screws, as is the white stationary bezel. The over all effect of the stainless steel accents against the white rubber wristband and curved edges of the bezel, is an interesting contrast of textures. This contrast is continued in every element of the watch from the stainless steel buckle clasp to the octagonal stainless steel crown set with a white rubber piece.

The watch’s dial is opalescent, giving it the appearance of being both silver and white in appearance. It is adorned with silver-toned roman numeral hour markers with an inner ring of minute markers. The silver-toned hour and minute hands are sword-shaped and luminescent. Everything on the dial is protected by a scratch resistant sapphire crystal window.

Additional features of the Cartier Santos 100 W20122U2 include:
• Swiss automatic movement—the watch runs without a battery, and charges on the movement of the wearer’s arm.
• Holds a charge up to 24 hours— you won’t have to worry about your watch losing time if you take it off for a day or so.
• Water resistance to 330 feet—makes this watch more than adequate to wear while swimming or bathing.

While this watch is undoubtedly attractive, there are a few things to take into consideration before you buy. For one, the white rubber accents

The wristband and back of the case

on this watch become stained very easily, and over the time the watch may come to look dirty. Additionally, if you have a multitude of watches that you alternate from day to day, it may be worth your while to purchase a winding box, such that it will always keep the right time, both on and off your wrist. This particular model comes with a medium, 6”, wristband, as well. If you are on the market for a larger wristband, but like this style, model number W2012902 comes with a 7” strap that should fit larger wrists.

Ultimately, with a retail price of well above $5,000, it may be good to look into watches in this series that have a metal wrist band that would be more resistant to staining, and wouldn’t collect dirt and grime over time.