A Cartier Holiday Guide, From the Editors at SHARP
The holiday season is upon us, and it’s yet again time to reflect upon upcoming gatherings with loved ones, and to make those crucial decisions on holiday gifting. While there are always multiple gifts to consider, luxurious timepieces are always front of mind, and Cartier remains a favoured brand here at SHARP. The eponymous brand offers a wide range of top-tier watches that have a permanent spot on our wishlist, covering everything from svelte and subdued dress watches, to pieces that match every occasion. Elegance and refinement abound, and there are ample options to consider, but we’ve narrowed the list down to our two favourite collections.
Santos De Cartier
The Santos is the kind of timepiece legends are made of. First conceived in 1904, the Santos goes down in history as the world’s first pilot’s wristwatch. Much has changed since those days, though the core elements of the Santos — in particular its square case and Roman Numeral indices — remain wholly intact. The Santos de Cartier collection saw a thorough revamp in 2018, and currently includes a host of new references in a healthy range of case sizes ranging from a compact 38.0 mm x 27.5 mm Santos-Dumont Quartz model, up to the Extra Large Santos De Cartier Chronograph which measures 51.3 mm x 43.3 mm. But for us, it’s the 2024 Santos De Cartier Dual Time that ticks all the right boxes.
This new addition to the collection was revealed at the 2024 edition of Watches & Wonders in Geneva, immediately becoming a fan-favourite. The incorporation of a dual time reference into the collection ties the Santos back to its early aviation roots, as the complication is especially handy for today’s frequent traveler. Wearers are able to set local time on its main handset, whereas the home time hours are displayed in its subdial at six o’clock. A day/night indicator at the top of this sundial helps the wearer know whether that home hour is AM or PM. It’s hard to go wrong with any Santos, but this added functionality combined with its monochromatic grey colour scheme instantly moved it to the top of our list.
Ballon Bleu de Cartier
The Ballon Bleu de Cartier collection is distinct and charming, offering exceptional quality in a design package that translates exceptionally well to a range of case sizes. No matter one’s wrist size or gender, the Ballon Bleu de Cartier will find a fit on your (or your loved one’s) wrist.
Though different in execution, the Ballon Bleu de Cartier collection is equally as diverse as we saw with the Santos, and its pieces all exude elegance and thoughtfulness in their design. The collection also plays two opposing ends of the horological spectrum. On one end, the steel Ballon Bleu de Cartier lets its regal sunburst green dial be the star of the show. On the other, Cartier’s gemsetting savoir-faire commands attention in the rose gold 36mm reference seen above, with 21 brilliant-cut diamonds totalling 0.19 carats set into its silvered stamped sunray dial. Both shine bright in their own way, and both would be a welcome addition to one’s watch collection this holiday season.
No matter which of these collections speaks to you most, each delivers exceptional craftsmanship and elegance; it’s what Cartier has done best for ages, and it’s what continues to draw fans, horological enthusiasts, and editors alike to covet its timepieces. The only question that remains is which Cartier watch is right for your significant other this holiday season.
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