The "Cartier Santos Octagon" that arrived today is one of the few remaining self-winding SM-sized models.
It's a very rare find among modern women's watches, where quartz models are now mainstream.
The Santos series, which was born around 1979,
took the world by storm as Cartier's first wristwatch to use stainless steel.
Initially, only self-winding models were available, but quartz models joined the lineup around 1986.
There was a period when similar watch designs were sold alongside self-winding models.
The difference between the self-winding and quartz models of the Santos Octagon SM size is,
naturally, that the movement structures are completely different,
but also, the ivory dial with the date function is the quartz model,
while the self-winding model has a white dial with no date function, making them significantly different.
Additionally, the stainless steel model, along with the LM size, is part of the self-winding model lineup,
and there are no quartz models manufactured.
With its distinctive octagonal bezel and the so-called Love Bracelet motif inspired by screws,
the combination model, which possesses just the right amount of splendor,
is being reevaluated worldwide due to its unique design, which is no longer produced and reflects the times,
and is counted among the items whose prices are skyrocketing.
One reason for this is that the image of Santos is strongly associated with square watches,
but the contrast in design, with an octagonal bezel and a round dial, is felt,
and the fact that similar designs were not continued after production ended is considered a contributing factor.
It may also be due to the fact that the Santos Carree and Santos Galbee, which were in the lineup at the same time,
saw a huge surge in popularity and price worldwide.
Furthermore, one of the watch trends is the focus on "small diameter" or compact watches,
and I infer that the counter to the large, thick watch designs that were once mainstream
is further enhancing the value of the Santos Octagon.
While this appreciation for watches has primarily been considered with men's watches in mind,
in recent years, women's interest and appreciation for watches have grown, and more people are choosing vintage watches
with a subdued atmosphere and the rarity of being no longer produced, rather than large, flashy current models.
At such times, Cartier's timeless design, which is unaffected by changing trends,
and the Santos's high practicality are highly regarded as a watch choice,
making it a representative item that many people are looking for.
Compared to quartz watches, self-winding watches, which require a little more effort,
are items that can be deeply cherished due to their mechanism of not moving unless you operate them.
Moreover, the watch design itself is exceptionally brilliant.
It's no exaggeration to say that the Santos Octagon is flawless in every aspect.
If you're choosing a watch, this is one of our top recommendations that you should definitely consider.
