Cartier - Cartier Santos Dumont 1576B CPCP - *Unpolished*
Cartier's CPCP collection (Collection Privée Cartier Paris) ran for a decade from 1998 to 2008 as a celebration of the brands most important and historically significant models. This smaller batch run of pieces are some of the most desired among collectors and have undoubtedly helped drive Cartier into one of the most talked about manufacturers today.
The Santos Dumont's origins trace back to 1904, when Louis Cartier’s close friend, Alberto Santos-Dumont, needed a wristwatch for flying, as pocket watches proved impractical. By 1906, Santos-Dumont became the first person captured on film during a flight while wearing the iconic Cartier watch designed by Louis Cartier. The rest, as they say, is history. Of Cartier's many timepieces, the Santos is arguably one of the most recognizable models, alongside the Tank.
This particular CPCP example, circa late 1990s is cased in 18k yellow gold and remains in stunning unpolished condition. The dial is mint and the high-polished bezel is extremely clean for its age. The ref. 1576B is a slightly larger variant of the Santos Dumont at 27mm by 36mm. Although it is elegant on the average sized wrist, this ref. would be great for anyone with a slightly larger wrist who wants a touch more presence. It houses the high quality FP 021 manual winding movement and is ready to enjoy for decades to come. This quality of this example is truly spectacular and would be a great addition for collectors of any level.
Dial: Is mint with no blemishes under magnification. Hands: Are matching.
Case: Appears unpolished. All of the markings/hallmarks are still visible. Extremely clean and sharp bezel preservation. Correct crown.
Bracelet: Two piece leather strap with generic plated buckle.
Crystal: Clear.
Accessories: Genuine Cartier pouch for storage and travel.
The movement is running nicely on our timegrapher and comes with our 1-year mechanical warranty.