January 24, 2019: a date to be remembered for the Club history. Why?
It was the first time the Cartier Middle East CEO and the club members meet over a dinner organised by Cartier for the Arab Watch Club. It is during this dinner that the seed for this edition have been planted!
2 years later and here we are releasing the first ever collaboration between Cartier and a Watch Club worldwide. The project was supposed to be completed in June 2020 but of course COVID19 had another plan for us. 7 months later, we are back and this time, we can say : We did it!
The idea of a special edition with a luxurious and reputable brand such as Cartier is a goal we have had for several years before we started our serious discussions in 2019. The club has been involved in over 13 special editions throughout its 5 years since inception and it was the right time to collaborate with the Maison.
We drew our inspiration for this project from the Santos Dumont 90th anniversary that was made from platinum with a very light salmon dial – classy, elegant and timeless.
This is exactly what we wanted for the Cartier project: A gentleman’s watch , an expression of classiness , an unforgettable statement piece – but most importantly, a FIRST in the watch community: First Watch Club and First one to achieve this in the region.
You might ask yourself why is this so important for us? the answer is simple: we always want to be the club that breaks the barriers, open doors, create opportunities and lead by example! It is our mark that we would like to leave in the Horological world.
The choice of the watch was also strategic: the Santos is the first men wrist watch to be ever created in 1904 by Louis Cartier; it is an icon in the watch industry and among collectors; there is not better choice than the Santos to commemorate such partnership between Cartier and AWC.
AWC Santos de Cartier
The first two models of this special edition are from the Large Santos family; both Rose Gold and White Gold, with a ADLC coated steel bezel with white gold or rose gold screws. Case width: 39.8 mm, thickness: 9.08 mm. Water-resistant to 10 bar
The dial is a unique salmon shade designed for this edition with blue steel hands. 7-sided crown set with a facetted sapphire. The strap is alligator or calfskin (both options provided), with interchangeable buckle.
The movement is mechanical movement with automatic winding, calibre 1847 MC. Close caseback with engravings including “Arab Watch Club” , every collector’s name and his number of the edition.
AWC Santos Dumont
The third model of this special edition is the Extra Large Santos Dumont in Rose Gold with a ADLC coated steel bezel with rose gold screws. Manufacture mechanical movement with manual winding, calibre 430 MC. 18K rose gold case,
Case dimensions: 46.6 mm x 33.9 mm, thickness: 7.5 mm. Water-resistant to 3 bar (approx. 30 metres).
The dial is a unique salmon shade designed for this edition with blue steel sword-shaped hands, sapphire crystal, beaded crown set with a sapphire cabochon.
Grey alligator-skin strap and 18K rose gold ardillon buckle. Close caseback with engravings including “Arab Watch Club” , every collector’s name and his number of the edition.
This is only the beginning of a long relationship with the Maison; so stay tuned for what’s coming next!
