WHY WE CURATED IT: A historically important Cartier. Their first-ever steel watch from 1978, but retaining Cartier precious-metal roots with a gold bezel and bracelet screws. Old habits die hard, and we are glad. Carrées are direct descendants of the Santos-Dumont: the world’s first men’s wristwatch in 1904 (created for the pioneering aviator of the same name so he could fly without dropping aircraft controls to fumble for a pocket watch). Therefore also the first pilot’s watch! Often seen as the ultimate Santos, compact in size but bold in presence with flat bracelet links that catch the light. Thought you might like a blocky square watch that’s somehow elegant? This one’s for you.
CONDITION: 8.5/10 with visible signs of wear, but appears to have never been refinished with broad case flank bevels, 90-degree upright bezel sides, deep bezel screw recesses and very sharp lines. Perfect canvas for a light polish if you desire, but we’d leave it for wabi-sabi originality. Crystal, hands and cabochon are clean. The Swiss-only dial is has no signs of aging, except for some ever-so-subtle spidering that needs magnification to discern. Way less than common for the age, and indicating unreplaced original status. Caseback engravings deep and clear. Bracelet with excellent structural integrity and zero stretch. Movement in good health with strong amplitude and accurate to within ±30 secs/day averaged from 6 timegrapher positions.
