
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Cartier Santos "Deux Ors" Grand Modèle Ref 78225, 1970s
- Maker / attribution
- Cartier (maker)
- Date
- 1970s
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- France
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- W-2754
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-2754)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Cartier Santos "Deux Ors" Grand Modèle Ref 78225 (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-2754), this is a wristwatch by Cartier, made in France, dated 1970s. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. 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 — Bulang & Sons
Known as the Master of Shapes, Cartier has some of the most timeless, elegant and desirable watches in its catalogue both now and in the past. This is a lovely and SUPER rare Santos with white gold case and yellow gold bezel – hence the nickname” Deux Ors”, or “Two gold “ in English . The 26x36mm white gold case is in great condition with a very clean yellow gold bezel. The yellow gold case back is stamped Cartier Paris. The PARIS-signed white dial has painted black Roman hours with hidden Cartier signature in the VII numeral and is fitted with blued hands and has a blue sapphire cabochon winding crown. The watch comes on the pictured Bulang and Sons leather strap with an additional leather strap (short) with a Cartier folding clasp in yellow gold. The manual wind movement has been fully serviced by our watchmaker. Please arrange a visit to our lounge or a let’s set up a call, as we would love to share our passion for this über-rare Cartier with you! Specifications: - Cartier Santos - Reference 78225 - Serial 78225501xx dates to 1970s - White gold case measures 25x36mm - Yellow gold bezel and case back - White Paris-signed dial with Roman hours - Blued hands and sapphire cabochon - Manual wind Cartier movement based on an ETA 2512 - Comes on the pictured Bulang and Sons strap - Additional Cartier 18 k gold folding clasp with Cartier serial number - Fully serviced by our watchmaker
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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