The Cartier Santos-Dumont line was born when Louis Cartier designed a wristwatch for his pilot friend Alberto Santos-Dumont, who needed a hands-free way to check the time while flying. This reference pays faithful tribute to that original concept.

This ref 96053 features an 18k yellow gold case measuring 23 × 23 mm (excluding the lugs), fitted with a blue cabochon on the winding crown. The watch has an incredibly slim profile—often described as “extra-flat” or “ultra-thin”—making it a highly refined dress watch.

The dial is classic Cartier: white with black Roman numerals, a hidden Cartier signature at 10 o’clock, and a “Paris” signature at 6 o’clock. The “Paris” inscription indicates that the watch was sold through Cartier’s flagship boutique at 13 Rue de la Paix. In the early 1990s, Cartier transitioned to “Swiss Made” signatures, making “Paris” dials rarer and more desirable for collectors today.

The watch is paired with the photographed leather strap, and its hand-wound Cal. 21 movement, based on an ébauche by Frédéric Piguet, has been fully serviced by our watchmaker.

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Specifications:

Cartier Santos Dumont reference 96053 “Ultra thin” or “Extra platte”
Serial 9605312xx dating to the mid 1980s
Yellow 18 k gold case measures 23 x 23mm
White dial with black Roman numerals , “Paris “signed
Blued hands and sapphire cabochon crown
F.Piguet /Cartier calibre 21 manual wind movement
Leather strap
Fully serviced by our watchmaker
One-year mechanical warranty
Free worldwide Fedex Priority shipping

Cartier Santos Dumont Ultra Thin ref. 96053 Paris Dial

Cartier Santos Dumont Ultra Thin ref. 96053 Paris Dial

Before/after