At Watches &amp; Wonders 2026, the new releases show off refined depth and appeal.

Cartier&rsquo;s newest Santos-Dumont upgrade is effective because it sharpens an icon to honour it. The watch still carries all the DNA that made the 1904 original so enduring &ndash; those Roman numerals, the exposed screws, the beaded crown with its delicate cabochon &ndash; yet this new chapter brings a softer sophistication.
The watch vibrant and dynamic, which explains why the Santos-Dumont is still one of the most confident designs. The yellow gold model with the obsidian dial is the range&rsquo;s most seductive expression. The Maison uses gilded obsidian cut to an ultra-thin 0.3 mm.

The fragile material gives the watch a richer, moodier iridescent depth than any standard dial could offer. There is genuine magic in that contrast: a watch born from early aviation, reimagined through something almost jewel-like. It adds intensity while preserving clarity.
The bracelet deserves equal attention. Inspired by Cartier&rsquo;s made-to-measure metal bracelets from the 1920s, it features close to 400 links arranged in 15 rows, creating a supple mesh that sits on the wrist like fine jewellery. That fluidity elevates the entire Santos-Dumont experience. This is where the watch becomes truly compelling: not as a museum piece, but as something with distinct characteristics.

Alongside the obsidian version, the Maison expands the line with additional LM models in yellow gold, gold and steel, and platinum, all powered by the hand-wound 430 MC manufacture movement. At 43.5 x 31.4 mm and just 7.3 mm thick, they preserve that comely slim, neat profile.

Courtesy of Cartier.

Cartier’s Santos-Dumont Gets a Darker Edge With Obsidian Dials at Watches & Wonders 2026

L'OFFICIEL PHILIPPINES APRIL 2026 - Rocio Zobel ₱600 

L'OFFICIEL HOMMES PHILIPPINES MARCH 2026 - Andres Muhlach ₱600

Cartier’s Santos-Dumont Gets a Darker Edge With Obsidian Dials at Watches & Wonders 2026

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