Strap Guide: Cartier Santos-Dumont Large

Strap Guide written by @watchtalkph. Thank you, Jeff!

Introduction

The origins of the Cartier-Santos Dumont can be traced back to 1904, when famed Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont approached his friend, Louis Cartier, with a challenge: he needed a watch he could read while flying, without having to take his hands off the controls. The result was the Cartier Santos — one of the very first wristwatches ever made for men and certainly one that can be considered as the first pilot’s watch in the world.

What drew me in to this watch is its timeless and elegant design: the hallmark square case and visible screws. The Santos-Dumont leans slightly more into the dress watch category because of its thinness and refinement compared to its slightly larger cousin, the Santos de Cartier. The only downside for me was the limited aftermarket options due to the former’s unconventional lug design. Luckily for us Santos-Dumont owners, Delugs offers a variety of strap options that are match beautifully with the watch’s lug profile and complement the watch’s adventurous heritage. Let me share with you some of my favourites!

Matte Grey Storm Alligator Cartier Santos-Dumont

Starting with the Matte Grey Storm Alligator Signature strap, it’s a fantastic alternative to the stock navy alligator strap for any formal event or even the office. While its colour isn’t as deep as navy, this allows the watch itself to hold on to the lion’s share of attention. I also love how plush and supple the alligator leather is (it’s even softer than the original Cartier strap), and the matte finish of the leather highlights the polished square bezel of the watch even more. Since this strap was tailor-made to integrate fully with the Santos-Dumont, the fit is spot-on without any gaps between the case and the strap.

Navy Saffiano Cartier Santos-Dumont

Saffiano is one of those perennially classy leathers that is suits watches like the Santos-Dumont to a tee. The luxurious feel and textured finish of the leather further enhance the overall look and feel of the watch while also being fairly robust at the same time. Despite its dressy associations, the leather’s cross-hatching makes it highly resistant to stains and scratches. It truly is a versatile combination — a sturdy material suitable for everyday use, with an aesthetic no one would thumb their nose down at. Yet again, another leather strap that seamlessly connects with the Santos-Dumont.

Brown Rubber CTS Strap

A dress watch on a rubber strap — why not? While the cut-to-size strap doesn’t sit as flushed against the Santos-Dumont’s case as the aforementioned leather straps, it does not feel out of place either. In fact, it looks great and wears extremely comfortably. The strap is made out of high-quality FKM rubber and comes paired with Delugs’ own CTS Deployant Clasp, which works amazingly well. Don’t be afraid to rock this combo on a weekend, as it pairs very well with any casual outfit. Ever since Delugs first introduced the regular CTS rubber, the collection has expanded to include different options such as Mosaic, Waffle, Tropical and Pilot CTS Rubber straps. I cannot wait to try these out on my Santos-Dumont!

White Sailcloth Signature

Nothing says “I’m ready for summer” like a white strap! Delugs’ Sailcloth Signature strap is the way for your watch to signal its beach-readiness without having to reach for the typical bright, vibrant colours. As an added bonus, this strap is fully crafted from FKM rubber, making it fully waterproof, extremely durable, and very stain-resistant. Just take note that since this strap is not designed specifically for the Santos-Dumont, the lugs may protrude a little when worn, especially on slimmer wrists like mine.

Green Alcantara Cartier Santos-Dumont

This is probably my favourite out of the lot. The Alcantara’s suede-like texture exudes this luxurious look and feel, which makes this watch strap pairing perfect for both chic and casual occasions. The quality, premium feel, and versatility of this Alcantara strap make this an absolute no-brainer for me, and is a choice I’d readily recommend for all Santos-Dumont owners out there.