Cartier Santos-Dumont Rewind: telling time backwards

At Watches and Wonders 2024, Cartier unveiled the Santos-Dumont Rewind CRWGSA008 which displays time in reverse. Crafted from platinum, price CHF37,000

At Watches and Wonders 2024 in Geneva (April 9-15), among several novelties across various collections, Cartier unveiled the Santos-Dumont Rewind, an elegant timepiece that redefines traditional time-telling methods.

In fact, in a unique approach, this model displays time in reverse. Its dial features Roman numerals positioned counterclockwise, with I replacing XI, II replacing X, III replacing IX, and so forth until XI replaces I. The VI and XII remain in their expected positions. Additionally, the hands rotate counterclockwise. As a result, when the hands appear in the conventional 10:10 position, the Santos Dumont is actually indicating 01:50.

If you look at the wristshot below, the time is 02:43.

The carnelian red of the dial, with its subtle nuances, offers an eye-catching background to the rhodium-finish Roman numerals and apple-shaped hands. The dial is completed by the typical railway minutes track.

The 31.5 x 43.5 mm case is crafted from 950 platinum with a total thickness of 7.3 mm and it is equipped with a crown set with a ruby cabochon. Water resistance is guaranteed up to a pressure of 3 bar (approximately 30 metres / 100 feet).

Original and inventive, this limited edition of 200 numbered pieces follows in the footsteps of the aviator and inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont, whose signature is engraved on the solid caseback.

Behind it, the hand-wound Calibre 230 MC (base 430 MC with inverted rotation) operates at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour). The power reserve of this ultra-thin movement - it is only 2.15 mm thick - is 38 hours.

Paired with a semi-matte brown alligator leather strap with a platinum ardillon buckle, the new Cartier Santos-Dumont Rewind, ref. CRWGSA0089, is priced at CHF 37,000. cartier.com

DISCOVER MORE WATCHES & WONDERS 2024 NOVELTIES