Cartier Santos de Cartier Large WSSA0030 2023 [Preowned]

Overview 

Louis Cartier designed the Santos for Alberto Santos-Dumont in 1904, solving a practical problem: the aviator needed to read the time without releasing aircraft controls. That commission produced the first purpose-built men's wristwatch, and the design it generated has been in continuous production, in some form, for over a century. The WSSA0030 is the current large-format expression of that lineage: 39.8mm in stainless steel, white dial, and the exposed screw bezel that was the design's most radical feature when the modern Santos launched in 1978.

The case is stainless steel, 39.8mm, with the Santos' square silhouette and softly rounded corners; eight exposed screws punctuate the polished bezel, referencing industrial fastening as a design element and marking the Santos' most immediately recognisable feature. The white dial carries Roman numerals, blued steel hands, and a date aperture at 6 o'clock; the finish reads brighter and more contemporary than the silver opaline of the WSSA0018, and against the polished steel case, the contrast is clean and direct. The integrated bracelet uses Cartier's SmartLink system for tool-free sizing; QuickSwitch allows strap changes without tools.

The movement is the Calibre 1847 MC, Cartier's in-house automatic with a 42-hour power reserve and anti-magnetic protection. At 9.08mm thick, the Santos maintains a wearable profile for a 39.8mm square case. The 1847 MC provides reliable daily performance without the technical differentiation of Cartier's higher-grade movements; the Santos proposition at this price tier is weighted toward case design and design lineage rather than movement architecture.

The WSSA0030 was superseded by the WSSA0013 in Cartier's current catalogue; the two references are functionally identical, which means a buyer acquires the same watch at a meaningful discount to new pricing. We are currently seeing WSSA0030 examples trade in this range; steel Santos pricing has always been stable and buyers acquiring now are doing so at levels that reflect genuine wear value. The leather strap and clasp are not included; buyers acquiring primarily for the bracelet configuration will not find that a relevant deduction. Preowned, excellent condition, complete with original box and papers dated August 2023, at RM24,000.

Specifications

Brand :	Cartier
Model Name :	Santos de Cartier
Reference :	WSSA0030
Material	Steel
Movement :	Automatic Cartier caliber 1847 MC
Case Diameter :	39.8mm
Bracelet / Strap :	Steel bracelet with "SmartLink"
Features :	100 meters/330 feet depth rating

 

Condition

Preowned, Excellent Condition, Complete Original Set with Box and Papers dated August 2023. Leather strap and clasp not included.

Warranty

8 years warranty from Cartier - require online registration