Cartier Santos-Dumont in Platinum and Blue Aventurine, Limited Edition “La Baladeuse”, New from 2025

A limited edition produced in 2025, the Santos-Dumont “La Baladeuse” in platinum with a blue aventurine dial pays homage to the motorized airship No. 9 that Alberto Santos-Dumont used in 1903 to fly over Paris – a visionary demonstration prefiguring current urban air mobility projects, over a century in advance.
The 43.5 x 31.4 mm 950‰ platinum case, the modern format of the Santos-Dumont, houses the ultra-thin manual caliber 430 MC on a Piaget base (2.15 mm thick). The blue aventurine dial – this synthetic glass dotted with copper flakes creating a starry sky effect – offers a hypnotic depth highlighted by the polished apple hands and Roman numerals. The alligator leather strap echoes this glittery texture and is completed with a platinum pin buckle. The beaded crown adorned with a ruby cabochon is the instantly recognizable signature of Cartier’s rare and prestigious platinum pieces.
This brand new example is complete with all its original documents and accessories.
An exceptional watch combining the historical heritage of the first men's wristwatch with contemporary execution, at the height of Cartier expertise.

When Cartier decided in 2020 to create a series of Santos-Dumont limited editions paying homage to the flying machines of Alberto Santos-Dumont, the house reconnected with the very essence of this watch born in 1904: celebrating the pioneering spirit of aviation. The 2025 variant that we are pleased to offer, “La Baladeuse” in platinum with a blue aventurine dial, reference WGSA0099, is in our eyes the most exclusive piece in this commemorative series.

The airship No. 9 "La Baladeuse," built by Santos-Dumont in 1903, represented much more than a simple aeronautical experiment. It was the first truly personal means of air transport in history. Santos-Dumont used it regularly to travel around Paris, going from his studio in the 16th arrondissement to the Champs-Élysées, mooring it to streetlamps or the balconies of Haussmannian buildings. This vision of urban air mobility, considered pure fantasy at the time, prefigures today's projects of flying taxis and transport drones – a century in advance.

The watch celebrating this visionary machine adopts the format of the modern Santos-Dumont: 43.5 x 31.4 mm and 7.3 mm thick. These generous proportions allow for a beautiful presence on the wrist while retaining the characteristic elegance of the model, thanks to the curved shape of the case and the ultra-thin manual caliber 430 MC. This movement, developed by Piaget (reference 430P) and adopted by Cartier, represents one of the thinnest manual calibers on the market, at 2.15 mm thick.

The choice of 950 platinum for the case places this piece at the top of the Cartier hierarchy. Denser and more precious than gold, platinum gives the watch a unique presence on the wrist—that characteristic weight that connoisseurs appreciate. The beaded crown, adorned with a blood-red ruby cabochon, has been the signature of Cartier platinum models since the 1910s, allowing them to be distinguished at first glance.

The stunning, deep midnight blue aventurine dial deserves special attention. This synthetic glass, accidentally invented by Venetian glassmakers in the 18th century (hence its name, “per aventura”), contains copper inclusions that create a shimmer reminiscent of a starry sky. Each dial is unique in the arrangement of these brilliant sequins. Against this cosmic background, the polished Roman numerals and apple-shaped hands create a striking contrast. At 7 o’clock, instead of the traditional secret “Cartier” signature, we read “1903” – the year in which “La Baladeuse” began flying over Paris. The caseback features a blue engraving depicting the “La Baladeuse” airship. The beautiful original blue glitter alligator leather strap echoes the aventurine dial and is completed with a platinum Cartier pin buckle.

This highly limited edition – believed to be about 100 to 200 pieces – continues the tradition of Cartier’s most sought-after collector’s items. Presented brand new with all its original documents and accessories, it represents a rare opportunity to acquire a timepiece that combines historical homage, technical excellence, and the pinnacle of watchmaking design, both in terms of the elegant Santos platinum case and the captivating blue aventurine dial.

This Cartier Santos-Dumont in Platinum, reference WGSA0099, is new and has never been worn since its initial sale in the summer of 2025.

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