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Cartier Santos 2423 - Two Tone Guilloche Dial

Details

Congrats, You’ve Just One-Upped Every Other Santos In The Room

The Cartier Santos Galbee is a staple of horology, but this specific iteration from the early 2000s stands apart because of its dial. While most Santos models of this era opt for a flat white finish, this reference 2423 features a deep guilloche pattern that catches the light and adds a level of visual complexity usually reserved for higher-tier dress watches. It's a configuration that balances the tool-watch DNA of the Santos with a more refined, decorative execution.

A Bridge Between Eras

This reference represents an important era in Cartier’s history, maintaining the classic 27x24mm proportions that defined the line for decades while housing an automatic movement. The two-tone construction remains one of the most versatile ways to wear a Santos, as the 18k yellow gold bezel and screws provide a warmth that softens the industrial feel of the steel case.

Sharp Lines And A Clean Presentation

This example is in excellent overall condition, presenting with a sharp case and a clean crystal. The guilloche dial is flawless and has preserved its crisp texture perfectly, which is the primary draw of this specific unit. The two-tone bracelet is tight and maintains its original finish throughout. After passing through our test bench, the movement is running strong and is ready for daily wear.

The Elevated Daily Driver

This is the watch for someone who wants the most recognizable silhouette in watchmaking but doesn't want the exact same version everyone else is wearing. The guilloche dial elevates it from a standard piece to something that feels more intentional and collector-oriented. It's a sharp, balanced watch that works just as well with a suit as it does with a sweatshirt.

Key Specs

Reference: 2423

Model: Santos Galbée (Automatic)

Year: Early 2000s

Movement: Automatic

Case Size: 24x35mm

Bezel: 18K Yellow Gold

Bracelet: Two-Tone 

Dial: Silver Guilloché

Wrist Size: Fits up to 5.25in

Metal: Stainless Steel & 18K Yellow Gold

SKU: 533

History

In 1904, Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier that checking a pocket watch while piloting an aircraft was both impractical and dangerous. Cartier's response was to put a clock on Santos-Dumont's wrist — a square-cased watch with a leather strap and visible screws on the bezel, worn on the pilot's wrist where he could read it with both hands on the controls.

The result was the Santos, one of the first purpose-designed men's wristwatches in history. The exposed screws — which Cartier turned into an aesthetic signature rather than hiding — the square case with rounded corners, and the integrated bracelet are elements so well-conceived that they have remained essentially unchanged for 120 years.

References 1564 (Santos Galbee/Santos de Cartier), 2319, 2961 (Santos Carree), and the Santos Octagon all appear in our inventory across stainless, two-tone, and 18-karat yellow gold. Quartz and automatic movements both saw production. These are not derivative pieces — they are the original article, the watch that defined what a wristwatch could be.