I’ve had a few watches over the years, but I’m not actually a watch wearer.
I do love my Apple Watch, but I’m in love with the SS & gold Santos De Cartier.
I’m on the verge of buying one, as I think it’s beautiful & is a very important watch: It was the first wrist watch ever made.
How about you?
I enjoyed having nearly this same chat before, when you posted back on
Jan 5, 2024
But for the sake of other readers in Horology, I'll reiterate
Cartier was nowhere near "the first" wristwatch, nor did Cartier invent the concept.
The very first documented wristwatches were one-offs by Breguet (in the early 1800's for some nobility in Italy, IIRC). Patek Philippe also did something for a Hungarian royalty of that era. Wristwatches were first manufactured as jewelry for women. Men eventually picked up wristwatches as military equipment in late 19th century.
It is generally accepted that Louis Cartier was the first to publicize the "Santos" design, which he built in the early 19-naughts,
specifically with a pilot in mind, his friend, the eponymous Albert Santos Dumont. The "Santos" model was later manufactures collaboration with Edmond Jaeger (later of Jaeger LeCoultre) in 19... 10-15.
If I were to invest in a Cartier, it would be the Roadster Chronograph.
My opinions, FWIW, in that old thread were in good company with other keen observers, several of whom seem to have reappeared in this thread, too. Hello, nice to see you again 👋.