The Cartier Santos is the world’s first pilot’s wristwatch, created in 1904 for Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont. This extraordinary heritage — more than a century of history — gives the Santos a credibility and depth that few watches can match. The modern Santos 100 XL takes the original’s essence and scales it for contemporary tastes. At Grand Watch Club, our super clone Santos 100 XL honors this landmark design.
Alberto Santos-Dumont: The Man Who Gave Watch-Wearing to Men
At the turn of the 20th century, wristwatches were women’s jewelry. Men carried pocket watches. But Alberto Santos-Dumont — the Brazilian-French aviation pioneer and close friend of Louis Cartier — needed to check the time during flights without taking his hands off the controls. In 1904, Louis Cartier designed a watch specifically for his friend: strapped to the wrist, square-cased for distinction, and with visible screws on the bezel as a technical statement of purpose. When Santos-Dumont wore his watch publicly, it sparked a trend that changed timekeeping forever.
The Santos design has been in continuous production ever since, evolving through multiple generations while preserving its core DNA: square case, exposed screws, integrated bracelet. The current Santos 100 XL is approximately 41mm x 51mm — a large, bold modern interpretation. Our super clone Cartier collection includes this landmark piece.
Square Case: Horological Revolution
In 1904, round was the default watch case shape — it was technically easier to manufacture and aesthetically conventional. Santos-Dumont’s square case was a deliberate departure, and Cartier doubled down on the design statement by exposing the bezel screws as decorative elements rather than hiding them. These screws — usually 8 per bezel, in alternating polished and brushed finish — became the Santos’s most distinctive detail and the first watch design element to deliberately celebrate the watch’s technical construction.
The Santos 100 XL’s case is 18k yellow gold, ADLC (amorphous diamond-like carbon) coated steel, or two-tone steel-and-gold in various configurations. Our super clone Santos offers the steel and two-tone options with accurate screw detailing and the correctly shaped square bezel. The sapphire crystal is slightly domed, following the authentic profile.
The QuickSwitch System: Modern Innovation
Cartier introduced the QuickSwitch interchangeable strap system on the modern Santos, allowing the bracelet to be swapped with a leather strap in seconds without tools. This clever mechanism runs an additional pin through the spring bar that can be released with a coin or thumbnail. The result is a watch that transitions from sports bracelet to dress leather strap in moments — one watch, two completely different characters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between the Santos de Cartier and Santos 100?
A: The Santos de Cartier is the updated reference (2018-present) with the QuickSwitch system and a slightly modernized case profile. The Santos 100 is an older, larger reference that’s been produced since 2004. Both share the same essential design DNA.
Q: Is the Santos a men’s or women’s watch?
A: The Santos comes in multiple sizes — the XL is clearly a men’s piece, while smaller versions are worn by women. The design is inherently gender-neutral, and the Santos has been a fashion watch for both men and women throughout its history.
Q: Does the super clone Santos 100 have working quick-change straps?
A: Most of our super clone Santos versions include the integrated bracelet and the visual elements of the QuickSwitch system. Strap interchangeability depends on the specific version.
Fly through your day in style — with the watch that gave wristwatches to the world. Shop our super clone Cartier collection today. Free worldwide shipping, 1-year warranty.