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Cartier Santos Carree Spider dial, 1980s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Cartier Santos Carree Spider dial, 1980s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Cartier (maker)
Date
1980s
Country of origin
France
Object type
Wristwatch
Dimensions
Case 29 mm
Stock no.
Product 7266787721399
Credit line
Dealer listing, Huntington Company (product 7266787721399)
Catalogue title (original)
1980s Cartier Santos Carree Spider dial (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Huntington Company (dealer) (stock number Product 7266787721399), this is a wristwatch by Cartier, made in France, dated 1980s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 29 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Huntington Company

Cartier has gained some hype in the past two years, very well deserved hype. The Cartier Santos Carree, specifically, has also began to gain some popularity in the vintage watch community. The sharp edges give the watch it’s sporty look while the gold and Roman dial give it the slight classiness Cartier is known for. This specific model features a sought after "Spider Dial" that is still light and clean. The case is also still unpolished, nice, and sharp. Description Year: circa 1980s Model: Santos Carree Case Diameter: 29mm Lug to Lug: 43mm Case: Stainless steel w/ yellow gold Condition: No significant nicks Dial: "Spider Dial" Effect Movement: Automatic winding

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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