The Cartier Santos Replica looked very sporty from day one. That’s still true today. The screws all over the bracelet and on the bezel bring a specific designer to my mind, but this wouldn’t be particularly new or original speculation. However strong and industrial the Santos seems to be, the classic Cartier DNA is undeniable.
The Cartier Santos Dumont Clone Watch was completely revised in 1987 and was relaunched as the Santos. The strictly straight lines became more curved around the lugs. This meant that the new Santos sits better on the wrist than the original one.
I like the paper-like finish of the dial, it’s simply beautiful. The railroad minute track that is the mother of all other railroad tracks precisely fits the second-hand cuts. The date window is so small and the date font so thin that you can hardly see it. This brings us to the 29mm x 41mm dimensions that probably had a lot to do with the massive steroid injection the brand gave this model in the year 2005 with the Fake Santos Galbée XL.
I love the original classy dimensions. I am no Cartier expert nor a die-hard fan, but for me, a true Cartier Replica feeling is connected to more modest proportions. Time reading is nothing but perfect, with sword hands crossing the minute track and numerals at the same time. The integrated bracelet looks fabulous and sits fabulously too.