Cartier Santos Galbée 'Limited'

Cartier Santos Galbée 'Limited'

The Cartier Santos 1564 Mark II might just be the best Santos model ever created. It hails from an era when watches didn’t need to be as bulky as they are today. With its versatile design and near-perfect case dimensions of 29 x 41 mm, this watch suits anyone looking for something truly unique. An added bonus is that it’s from the year 2000, meaning it already features the updated bracelet—a significant improvement in terms of sturdiness, elegance, and durability.

The Santos has a remarkably rich history. Many enthusiasts already know it was the first wristwatch ever created, designed with aviation in mind. This iconic model emerged from a collaboration between Louis Cartier, the pioneer of fine jewelry, and aviation trailblazer Alberto Santos-Dumont. Originally powered by Jaeger-LeCoultre movements, the Santos was poised to become a timeless icon right from its inception.

Cartier didn’t produce many wristwatches until the early 1970s, a period when bold and innovative designs were in high demand. It’s widely known that Gérald Genta drew significant inspiration from Cartier for his Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus designs. Over the next 30 years, the Santos line underwent notable changes: the Carrée evolved into the Galbée, the Santos became available in stainless steel, two-tone steel and gold, and solid yellow gold variations, while the Santos-Dumont joined the broader Santos collection. In 2000, Cartier released this rare Ice Blue variant alongside a Platinum Grey dial version to celebrate the enduring legacy of the Santos. While Rolex’s Day-Date 18206 was the first to showcase an ice blue dial, Cartier was the pioneer in introducing this distinctive color in a stainless steel case. Fewer than 2,000 pieces of each variant were produced, making this watch exceptionally rare and collectible. It’s also more expensive than standard Santos models—but we challenge you to find another stainless steel watch with this much history and such an exquisite design. The Ice Blue celebration dial truly sets this watch apart. Unlike the brighter blue of the Day-Date, the Santos’ ice blue hue is subtler, enhancing its versatility.

This particular watch has recently undergone a full service at Cartier, during which a new-old-stock dial was installed—sourced directly from Cartier Paris. The previous dial had lost some of its original vibrancy, but the new dial restores the watch to its former glory. We personally ensured the replacement dial was authentic new-old-stock and can provide photo evidence of the new and old dials side by side. Maintaining originality was of utmost importance to us. This watch now comes with a Cartier worldwide warranty, leaving only one thing for you as the buyer to do: enjoy it. At Roia, we believe that watches are meant to be treasured and appreciated, and this piece is no exception.