Mario Canonizado 
At long last, the Santos de Cartier has shrunken down! With the release of the Santos Small, the collection officially crowns itself the very best ‘his and hers’ watch set.
The Cartier Santos is one of the most iconic timepieces ever made. Its recognisable silhouette, timeless aesthetic, and exceptional craftsmanship have established it — and the Cartier brand as a whole — as a dominant force in the horological landscape. Ever since its introduction in 1904, it has maintained its status as one of the seminal timepieces in watchmaking history. I’ve never seen another watch brand manage to reinvent what is essentially the same timepiece in so many ways, all while achieving an almost fanatical level of success. From pioneering the two-tone metal look, to the bold Santos 100, the intricately crafted Santos-Dumont Skeleton, and the more recent Santos-Dumont Rewind, the Santos has transcended mere watch status, becoming a design principle in of itself.
Related Reading: The Cartier Santos Stories — Looking Into A Brief History Of The Iconic Watch
There still remains, however, one unexplored territory. In contrast to the Santos-Dumont — which has worn many hats over the years — the Santos de Cartier subgenre has remained relatively steadfast in both design and technical execution. Sure, it’s been offered in two size options, with a variety of dial colours and precious metal cases, but it has never truly catered to those with smaller wrists. While the existing sizes are remarkably adaptable, the Santos de Cartier has long needed just one more size option to truly cement its status as the ultimate versatile timepiece.
I’m pleased to say that at Watches and Wonders 2025, that’s exactly what the Parisian brand has unveiled. This year, Cartier announced the release of three new Santos de Cartier models, finally offering a smaller option that fans of the brand have long been craving. The trio of releases are, at their core, more compact versions of the Santos de Cartier you already know and love. The models are available in stainless steel, 18k yellow gold, or the ever-popular two-tone, which strikes the perfect balance between robustness and decadence.
Measuring a petite 27mm in width and 37.5mm in length, these new Santos de Cartier models retain all the features that made their larger counterparts so beloved in the modern watch landscape. The case shape — not quite square, yet not quite round — remains unchanged, as do the exposed rivets on the bezel and bracelet. The Santos de Cartier Small also carries over the same convenience features as its older siblings, with a bracelet that remains as adjustable as ever, both through its tool-less adjustment system and interchangeable links.
The new additions, though subtle, perfectly capture the signature Cartier aesthetic in a smaller form. The dial retains its iconic elements — slanted Roman numerals and the distinctive minute track — while deviating from the traditional Santos de Cartier design. Rather than the usual opaline white dial, Cartier has opted for a brilliant sunray-brushed silver, reminiscent of past Santos-Dumont models. This thoughtful touch sets the timepiece apart as a unique variant in the collection. Additionally, for the first time in the Santos de Cartier line, the Small model is equipped with a high-autonomy quartz movement, ensuring precision and enhanced convenience, further supported by Cartier’s impressive 8-year warranty.
My Thoughts
As a watch enthusiast — and a massive fan of Cartier in general — I was genuinely gobsmacked to discover that Cartier has not yet made a smaller version of the Santos de Cartier. It just seemed like the best choice for the brand to make, considering how versatile and beloved the Santos design has been over the years! With its timeless aesthetic and iconic details, the only thing it seemed to be missing was an option for those who prefer a more compact timepiece.
At long last, however, Cartier have finally identifies and addressed this the new smaller models. Though not mind-blowing by any means, it’s still an incredibly welcome move — especially those who love the idea of a ‘his and hers’ set of timepieces. Now, with the Santos de Cartier Small’s release in sight, that once may have been a dream will soon become reality, with Cartier further consolidating its status at the top of the horological game.
References: TBA
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 27mm case diameter x 34.5mm lug-to-lug
- Case Material: Steel/Two-tone steel and gold/18k yellow gold
- Dial: Sunray-brushed silver
- Movement: Quartz
- Water Resistance: 30m (3bar)
- Strap: Material-matched interchangeable bracelet with butterfly clasp
