Cartier Santos Demoiselle yellow gold and diamonds Ref. WF9001Y7, ca.2015
Identity Cartier Santos Demoiselle small model, Ref. WF9001Y7, yellow gold and diamonds, ca. 2015. Quartz movement, Cartier calibre 157. Square 18-carat yellow gold case, 20 × 20 mm, diamond-set bezel and lugs, octagonal crown also set with a diamond. Silver dial, black Roman numerals, blued glaive hands, secret Cartier signature within the X. Sapphire crystal. 18-carat yellow gold Panthère-style link bracelet, concealed signed Cartier double folding clasp. Horological context In 1904, Louis Cartier designed for the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont one of the first men's wristwatches, released to the public from 1911: a square case with softened corners, Roman numerals and a railway minute track, sword-shaped hands, a bezel with exposed screws. In 1978, Cartier relaunched it as the Santos de Cartier, with an integrated metal bracelet echoing the case screws — one of the emblematic sport-chic watches of the 1980s. The Santos Galbée followed in 1987, with a more ergonomic case, then the Santos 100 in 2004 for the centenary. The Santos Demoiselle appeared in 2005: it keeps the Santos DNA — softened square case, Roman-numeral dial — but drops the exposed screws for a jewellery execution and a Panthère-style link bracelet. This was no accident: the Panthère, itself born of a softened reading of the Santos, had just been retired from the catalogue in 2004; the Demoiselle took over its role as the jewellery watch. Its name pays tribute to the Demoiselle, Santos-Dumont's aircraft. Character Freed of the Santos's exposed screws, the Demoiselle reads first as a fine-jewellery watch. On the wrist, the supple "Panthère" link bracelet wears like a chain, and the diamond setting rings the case without interruption. Serviced. Very good condition. Supplied with the maker's box and the 24-month Contre-Temps warranty certificate.