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!

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The exhibition set top by Cartier was to celebrate 100 years of Santos where they have recreated the story of how the legendary watch came about to creation. If you are not aware of the story, let me shed some light on its in a quick summary.

In 1906, Brazilian-Franco Albert Santos Dumont flew from Paris’ Château De Bagatelle in an aircraft fitted with a wheeled undercarriage and made a controlled landing – no crash, achieving history. Whilst celebrating his achievement, he met his friend Louis Cartier and complained about having to reach out to his pocket watch during the flight- Booom!! the Santos Dumont Cartier was born! First Pilot wristwatch to be ever created.

Since then many variations and developments have surrounded this successful line leading us to where we are today and our private exhibition with Cartier.

Cartier recreated the 14bis flew by Santos in his first flight and installed it on top of our dinner table :).. Now that’s what I call dining in style.

During the evening, we had the chance to go over an animated history of the Santos flight and also have a look at some historical pieces of the famous line – of which the wonderful 90th anniversary Santos Dumont in platinum and salmon dial

Before moving on to our dinner with Christophe Massoni, we also had a look at the latest models introduced by Cartier in 2018 and 2019 – unfortunately the SIHH pieces were not yet in Dubai – however this will be left for another day to explore.

What also made this dinner quiet special is the fact that our members have flown from KSA, Kuwait and Bahrain to be with us in Dubai. For the club, it is quiet a proud achievement to be able to partner up with one of the most luxurious brands out there and have a very private and unique experience offered to our club members exclusively. It has also followed a special visit to the Cartier Manufacture in La Chaux De Fonds that I have had right after SIHH – however this needs another article to discuss the mesmerizing world of Cartier watchmaking.

You cannot have a  collectors dinner without the usual wrist shots poses that we are all known for by now. It was a surprise I believe for Christophe when he saw 20+ arms being stretched to the max to reach each others fists in the most awkward yet traditional watch geeks shots – professional photographers were on alert mode and trying to find the best and longest chairs to support them in taking this marvelous aerial wrist-shot.

With this, I leave to enjoy our gallery and will be back soon to tell you more in depth about the Cartier manufacture experience and many many nitty gritty details that blew my mind in La Chaux de Fonds.

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