Any watch specialists able to help with unusual watch?

[Alcoblog]

Well i removed the back, it is battery powered but... it does not match up with the age of the watch and does not feel right at all! Its too new and i think that it has been replaced for one reason or another. My grandad did love the watch and wore it for many years, maybe the original broke and he had the movement replaced? it certainly looks that way. Also i agree that it was plated with something, maybe silver i thought? i dont think chrome because its not shiny enough for it to be that.

 

Also, under the watch movement on the back, i can see the original plate with the newer quartz movement placed over it.

 

I would be reluctant to pursue finding out about this watch if i had found another with santos on it, but has you found out yourself, theres nothing, not even a fake range of watches! just nothing... which fuels the fire and makes it all the more intriguing!

 

Maybe it's an old watch body with a later Cartier Quartz movement in it then? ... it sort of makes sense to me.

[AM_MUA]

Maybe it's an old watch body with a later Cartier Quartz movement in it then? ... it sort of makes sense to me.

 

Who knows but my grandad and my grandad isnt here to say. Wish someone would have questioned him about it, if he loved as much as said you would have thought someone would have. Saying that...my mum did have a massive stroke and her memory not what it use to be.

 

I will of course keep you updated once i found out more. Thanks for your help.

[mattythefish]

To be honest, I just recalled that Cartier make a Santos range, but like yourself did a quick Google and came to the same conclusion as yourself ... I can't find any other brand of watch called Santos (or with it in the name). I agree that you should be able to find virtually anything on Google.

 

I agree with mattythefish though ... the case does look like base metal which is perplexing as I'd be surprised if Cartier would use this.

The 'Quartz' bit is confusing too as I've no reason to disbelieve your statement that the watch has been owned for as long as you say. Maybe the movement has been changed at some point after the late 70's (first quartz watches)? It may be just coincidence, and the watch just happens to be called 'Quartz' and nothing to do with the movement. Does the winder actually 'wind' or just move the fingers? It certainly doesn't look like a battery powered watch from the photos (and patina).

Personally, I'd say that the watch style has an art-deco look to it which puts it around the 1920's. I also think the watch would have at one time been plated ... my guess being nickel or chrome.

 

I'd be interested to hear what the experts can tell you about this as I find it intriguing.

 

Cartier not only dont use base metal they also dont put "quartz" on any watch face, this is not a Cartier guaranteed! just because Santos doesnt come up in google doesnt mean much, there are and have been many thousands of "own " brandwatches that come out of Hong Kong, japan and china over the years.

it could be as you say an oldish art deco watch case that has had a quartz movement added later, although again that would be difficult to get a good fit. the face that opens is unusual though. a strange one this:huh:

[AM_MUA]

Cartier not only dont use base metal they also dont put "quartz" on any watch face, this is not a Cartier guaranteed! just because Santos doesnt come up in google doesnt mean much, there are and have been many thousands of "own " brandwatches that come out of Hong Kong, japan and china over the years.

it could be as you say an oldish art deco watch case that has had a quartz movement added later, although again that would be difficult to get a good fit. the face that opens is unusual though. a strange one this:huh:

 

I disagree, why would China or Hong Kong make a watch that resembles a Cartier to not pass it off as Cartier? Why would they make only one watch like this and if is isnt the only watch....where are the others? None on Ebay present or archive, not even on google images and ive scrolled down thousands of photos! If they only made one or 2, what are the chances of that one of them so rare landing in my grandad possession when he has never been to that part of the world.

 

 

I have done some digging about Santos and here is was i found, (assuming its got anything to do with Cartier that is) And if it hasnt ...why the rarity?

 

 

[iIn 1904, the Brazilian pioneer aviator, Alberto Santos-Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier of the unreliability and impracticality of using pocket watches while flying. Cartier designed a flat wristwatch with a distinctive square bezel. This watch was liked by not only Santos-Dumont but also many other customers. Thus the "Santos" was born. This was Cartier's first men's wristwatch.[citation needed]][/i]

 

When flying, Santos-Dumont needed to measure time intervals. The wristwatch had been invented centuries earlier, but Santos-Dumont played an important role in popularizing its use by men in the early 20th century. Before him they were generally worn only by women as jewelery, while men favored pocket watches.

 

In 1904, while celebrating his winning of the Deutsch Prize at Maxim's Restaurant in Paris, Santos-Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier about the difficulty of checking his pocket watch to time his performance during flight. Santos-Dumont then asked Cartier to come up with an alternative that would allow him to keep both hands on the controls. Cartier went to work on the problem and the result was a watch with a leather band and a small buckle, to be worn on the wrist.[13]

 

Santos-Dumont never took off again without his personal Cartier wristwatch, and he used it to check his personal record for a 220 m (730 ft) flight, achieved in 21 seconds aided by a large headwind, on 12 November 1906. The Santos-Dumont watch was officially displayed on 20 October 1979 at the Paris Air Museum next to the 1908 Demoiselle, the last aircraft that he built.

 

Cartier market wristwatches and sunglasses named after Santos-Dumont[/i

 

 

I have searched the Air museum in Paris so i can find a photo of this watch but there isnt one displayed. I thought if it bared the name Quartz i could maybe confirm that it could be Cartier? All i could find is a Cartier watch in 1911 but it had sort of roman numerals instead of numbers like my watch and again....it said Cartier instead of santos once again so i drew a blank on this one.

 

Still cannot find a watch named santos and its really bugging me now!

[Alcoblog]

I disagree, why would China or Hong Kong make a watch that resembles a Cartier to not pass it off as Cartier? Why would they make only one watch like this and if is isnt the only watch....where are the others? None on Ebay present or archive, not even on google images and ive scrolled down thousands of photos! If they only made one or 2, what are the chances of that one of them so rare landing in my grandad possession when he has never been to that part of the world.

 

 

I have done some digging about Santos and here is was i found, (assuming its got anything to do with Cartier that is) And if it hasnt ...why the rarity?

 

 

[iIn 1904, the Brazilian pioneer aviator, Alberto Santos-Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier of the unreliability and impracticality of using pocket watches while flying. Cartier designed a flat wristwatch with a distinctive square bezel. This watch was liked by not only Santos-Dumont but also many other customers. Thus the "Santos" was born. This was Cartier's first men's wristwatch.[citation needed]][/i]

 

When flying, Santos-Dumont needed to measure time intervals. The wristwatch had been invented centuries earlier, but Santos-Dumont played an important role in popularizing its use by men in the early 20th century. Before him they were generally worn only by women as jewelery, while men favored pocket watches.

 

In 1904, while celebrating his winning of the Deutsch Prize at Maxim's Restaurant in Paris, Santos-Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier about the difficulty of checking his pocket watch to time his performance during flight. Santos-Dumont then asked Cartier to come up with an alternative that would allow him to keep both hands on the controls. Cartier went to work on the problem and the result was a watch with a leather band and a small buckle, to be worn on the wrist.[13]

 

Santos-Dumont never took off again without his personal Cartier wristwatch, and he used it to check his personal record for a 220 m (730 ft) flight, achieved in 21 seconds aided by a large headwind, on 12 November 1906. The Santos-Dumont watch was officially displayed on 20 October 1979 at the Paris Air Museum next to the 1908 Demoiselle, the last aircraft that he built.

 

Cartier market wristwatches and sunglasses named after Santos-Dumont[/i

 

 

I have searched the Air museum in Paris so i can find a photo of this watch but there isnt one displayed. I thought if it bared the name Quartz i could maybe confirm that it could be Cartier? All i could find is a Cartier watch in 1911 but it had sort of roman numerals instead of numbers like my watch and again....it said Cartier instead of santos once again so i drew a blank on this one.

 

Still cannot find a watch named santos and its really bugging me now!

 

As I'm interested in this, I've been dredging through loads of photos too, and come up with nothing. Bear in mind though that quartz watches didn't come out until late 70's/early 80's, so I'm sure the movement is a replacement ... the body seems much older than that (unless it's been to hell and back).

Quartz timepieces were invented around 1927, although the size of a wardrobe ... not until much later were transistors invented on a commercial scale (and small batteries).

 

Are there any markings whatsover on the actual quartz movement?

[Mecky]

On what you say, It sounds like a new watch in an old case. Quite possible, I've heard it's been done before. The thing is the sentimental value. I'm still wearing the old Timex watch my dad bought me for my 13th birthday

[AM_MUA]

As I'm interested in this, I've been dredging through loads of photos too, and come up with nothing. Bear in mind though that quartz watches didn't come out until late 70's/early 80's, so I'm sure the movement is a replacement ... the body seems much older than that (unless it's been to hell and back).

Quartz timepieces were invented around 1927, although the size of a wardrobe ... not until much later were transistors invented on a commercial scale (and small batteries).

 

Are there any markings whatsover on the actual quartz movement?

 

I have been talking to my auntie. She said that she "thinks" my grandad was given it by his brother who was also in ww2. My mum has dug out a photo of my grandad in his army uniform wearing the exact watch.

My grandad was very close to his brother so its not far fetched to think that if the watch broke he would replace the movement just so he could carry on wearing the watched in his brother`s memory.

 

My eyes are rubbish but i can just see a few things on the quartz movement itself.... at the top it states 2 letters that i can not make it, looks like ko or something followed by the word jewels. Then singapore at the bottom. This is on the quartz movement itself only as there is no serials or markings whatsoever on the watch itself. Only the words genuine leather on the strap.

 

I have emailed the jeweler you suggested with no reply as yet. I have also emailed Cartier themselves with no reply as yet and i have also phoned parkers jewelers in Hillsbrough to ask them. The specialist said the name does not ring a bell but if i send photos he will see what he can find out.

 

I will of course keep you updated.

 

---------- Post added 07-07-2014 at 12:40 ----------

 

On what you say, It sounds like a new watch in an old case. Quite possible, I've heard it's been done before. The thing is the sentimental value. I'm still wearing the old Timex watch my dad bought me for my 13th birthday

 

Quite possibly but i doubt it.

 

---------- Post added 07-07-2014 at 13:02 ----------

 

I have just received an email back from Cartier.

 

In response to your enquiry, may we inform you that we are unable to confirm the authenticity of your Cartier creation without having it inspected by an expert.

 

We therefore recommend that you visit one of our boutiques, where one of our qualified associates will determine the authenticity of your Cartier creation.

[Alcoblog]

I think it may be a good idea to forget the Cartier connection as so many things don't make sense. 'Santos' as well as being part of the Cartier range, means 'Saint' which is hardly uncommon to be honest. Still worth pursuing though as I can't find anything that gives any clue from the photos, although I don't think Cartier would have 'Singapore' on their movements. I may be wrong ...

[AM_MUA]

I think it may be a good idea to forget the Cartier connection as so many things don't make sense. 'Santos' as well as being part of the Cartier range, means 'Saint' which is hardly uncommon to be honest. Still worth pursuing though as I can't find anything that gives any clue from the photos, although I don't think Cartier would have 'Singapore' on their movements. I may be wrong ...

 

I cant find a "saint" santos watch either though haha. We shall find out soon enough im sure.

[L00b]

Your collective eBay-Fu is weak

 

Looks like a genuine, but vintage (and probably now defunct) wristwatch brand.

 

Some more searching hints/tips/paths:

Alberto Santos Dumont, an aviator from Brazil, wanted a watch which would allow viewing his timing (during flights) without having to take hands off the controls. The 'Santos watch' was developed by Edmond Jaeger in an attempt to make a timepiece suitable for this need.

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