Cartier

1980s Cartier Santos-Dumont 18K YG "Extra Plate" (Ref. 821054) "Flinque" Dial W/ Cartier Service Papers

The Cartier name is synonymous with luxury and has been since the brand's inception in 1847. Offering bespoke and unique jewelry to the world’s elite allowed Cartier to grow steadily through the 19th century and eventually introduced new offerings to their clientele.

Cartier’s first timepiece was actually the world's first aviation watch and was introduced in 1904, only a year after the Wright Brothers' famous first flight in 1903. The inspiration for this timepiece came from Louis-Francois Cartier’s close friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, an early Brazilian pioneer in aviation, after becoming frustrated using a pocket watch to time his flights, which during this time were under a minute. The Santos-Dumont hit Cartier's showrooms in 1911 with a Jaeger-LeCoultre movement and introduced the rest of the world to the iconic art deco design that today, remains only slightly changed.

This reference of the Cartier Santos-Dumont is best known amongst collectors as the "Extra Plate" or "Extra Thin" and is one of the thinnest Cartier watches ever produced and features a total thickness of 4.4mm. This impressive feat is achieved through the utilization of the renowned Frederic Piaget Cal. 21 ultra-thin mechanical movement. Though this Cartier Santos-Dumont "Extra Plate" is one of the thinnest watches Cartier ever made, it retains the standard height and width dimensions of the Santos-Dumont in this era, making for a perfectly proportioned timepiece. The ref. 821054 is also renowned for its alluring "Flinque" dial, which is a painstaking dial-making process that involves a carved guilloché pattern that is then finished with a layer of enamel, creating a truly beautiful dial presentation with incredible depth.

Stock # CTRPSD821054EPF
Brand Cartier
Style Santos-Dumont "Extra Plate"
Model 96054
Serial 14XX
Size Men's
Material 18K Yellow Gold
Dial White Roman "Flinque"
Millimeters 27x36
Strap 2pc Handmade Lizard Leather Strap W/ 18K YG Cartier Tang Buckle

CASE & BRACELET

The extra-thin 18K yellow gold case is in exceptional condition and was recently professionally polished by Cartier Service Japan to maintain the originally intended bevels, chamfers, and finishing throughout. The case retains its original blue sapphire cabochon crown. The back of the case retains all of its original factory markings and hallmarks in crisp and clear condition, additionally the case back retains the factory Cartier sticker from its recent service. The watch comes supplied on a 2pc handmade lizard leather strap with the original 18K yellow gold Cartier tang buckle.

DIAL & HANDS

The silvered white guilloché and enamel "Flinque" dial with black Roman numerals is flawless, showing no age or damage whatsoever. The original blue hands are in perfect condition.

ACCESSORIES 

None. The watch was fully serviced by Cartier in Japan in 2021 and includes all of its service paperwork. The watch is keeping time perfectly.