Cartier Santos Demoiselle yellow gold and diamond Ref. WF9001Y7, ca.2015

Price upon request

Identity

Cartier Santos Demoiselle small model, Ref. WF9001Y7, yellow gold and diamonds, ca. 2015. Quartz movement, Cartier caliber 157. 18K yellow gold square case, 20 × 20 mm, bezel and lugs set with diamonds, octagonal crown also set with a diamond. Silver dial, black Roman numerals, blued sword-shaped hands, secret Cartier signature in the X. Sapphire crystal. 18K yellow gold bracelet with Panthère-style links, concealed double folding clasp signed Cartier.

Watchmaking Context

In 1904, Louis Cartier designed for the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont one of the first men's wristwatches, marketed from 1911: a square case with softened angles, Roman numerals and a railway minute track, sword-shaped hands, and a bezel with visible screws. In 1978, Cartier relaunched it under the name Santos de Cartier, with an integrated metal bracelet extending the case screws — one of the emblematic sport-chic watches of the 1980s. This was followed by the Santos Galbée in 1987, with a more ergonomic case, then the Santos 100 in 2004 for its centenary. The Santos Demoiselle appeared in 2005: it retained the Santos DNA — softened square, Roman numeral dial — but abandoned the visible screws in favor of a jewelry execution and a link bracelet in the spirit of the Panthère. This is no coincidence: the Panthère, itself born from a softened interpretation of the Santos, had just been withdrawn from the catalog in 2004; the Demoiselle took over as a jewelry watch. Its name pays homage to the Demoiselle, Santos-Dumont's aircraft.

Personality

Stripped of the visible screws of the Santos, the Demoiselle is primarily perceived as a high-jewelry watch. On the wrist, the "Panthère" bracelet with flexible links wears like a chain, and the setting seamlessly encircles the case.

Watch serviced. Very good condition. Delivered with the brand box and the 24-month Contre-Temps warranty certificate.