Pasha  is a Turkish word which is used as an honorary title for a person of high social standing  A pasha is someone who is wealthy, powerful and lives in comfort.

The legendary story behind the creation of the Cartier Pasha watch tells that a certain Pasha loved his long baths in his luxurious outdoor pools. Annoyed about not being able to tell the time on an elegant watch which he could immerse into the water, he made a request to Cartier to design one for this purpose. 

In 1985 the Pasha de Cartier was created and launched.  Designed specifically for wearing in the water the elegant watch has a cap cover for the crown that is attached to thecase by a small chain sealing it from water and steam.  The very large round case has the Arabic numbers 12, 3, 6 and 9 making the Pasha style unique since all other Cartier watches have the traditional logo roman numerals for the time markers.  The Pasha de Cartier became one of the most celebrated watches and was worn by Cartier’s customers who appreciate the extravagant luxury.

Cartier launched the Pasha C in steel with a steel band on the tenth anniversary of the creation of the Pasha in 1995.

In 2005, twenty years later, the 42mm Pasha de Cartier was created with the beautiful sleek large case in yellow gold and rose gold. The specialized watch has a self winding mechanical movement made for Cartier by the fine watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre.  This is a partnership which has been established at the beginning of the 20^th century.  The Twentieth celebration Pasha Watch is definitely a collector’s item with the back of the case engraved 2005

View the Pasha Collection at www.shopdeleuse.com

Janet Deleuse

When did the House of Cartier produce the first wrist watch?  Who was it designed for and why?  Why would anyone need another type of watch other than one for the pocket?

The answer to these questions are the result of one man with an outrageous character and his love for the air.  Alberto Santos-Dumont, the young Brazilian who dressed impeccably in a dark striped suit, starched wing collar, heeled shoes and a panama hat.   

In 1901 to the amazement of the Parisians, the adventurer flew his small aircraft in circles around the Eiffel Tower safely landing at his take off field in Saint Cloud, near Paris.  That evening while dining at Maxim’s he complained to his friend Louis Cartier about the difficulty of not being able to tell the time and that it was impossible to pull out his pocket watch as he piloted in the air.

Louis Cartier consulted his watchmakers and in 1904 they came up with the perfect solution, a watch on a leather strap.  “Santos de Cartier” the newly invented watch for the wrist enabled the aviator to check the time with his hands firmly on the controls.  Alberto loved his wrist watch and wore it everyday-- to the envy of his Parisian socialite friends.

In response to requests for a Santos watch on a leather strap, the House of Cartier launched the production of the first wrist watches“Santos de Cartier” for his privileged customers.

As the years went by the Santos style became legendary with launches of many revisions to the original.  In 1976 the first Santos de Cartier collection in gold and steel was produced. The signature “screws” on the case of the watch which depicted the large bolts from the aircraft became an identifiable Santos icon.

Lighters, pens, eyewear, perfume and many other watches would now have this sporty Cartier Santos logo.

The Santos de Cartier galbee is a classic watch with a strong Cartier identity and anchors the brands historical legend inspired by Alberto Santos Dumont. The screw motifs on the bezel surrounding the dial match the screws on the metal bands.  The large watch has a slight curved back case, hence the name galbee.  Made in all steel and steel and gold the screws are in contrasting metals. This sport watch has a stream lined comfortable bracelet with an invisible clasp.

In 2004 Cartier launched three new Santos de Cartier watches, Santos 100, Santos Dumont and the ladies Santos Demoiselle.

The Santos 100 is an imposing watch with a strong Cartier identity and anchored in the brand’s history.  The Santos 100 was designed to become one of the largest square watches with a case measuring 51 X 42 mm with the screw motifs on the case bezel.  The curved form of the large watch is designed to fit the curve of the wrist comfortably. Created in all gold, all steel or a combination of steel and gold this watch definitely makes a statement and is perfect for sports and dress.

The beautiful crocodile straps have deployment buckle clasps in gold or steel which adds to the comfort with a precision fit.  The movements are available in quartz or a large robust self winding mechanism.

The Santos Dumont is a new nterpretation of masculine elegance with a slim, modern but yet very large square case.  Without the screw motif on the casing the watch has a beautiful simplicity.  Made in white, yellow and rose gold the contrast of the fine crocodile strap is magnificent.  The hand wound mechanical movement is of the finest watch making tradition of Cartier.

 

 

In 1909 Alberto Santos-Dumont, the pilot baptized his monoplane “Demoiselle” for its elegance and graceful flying abilities.  Fast forward to 2004 the year when Cartier paid tribute to that day in history by naming the new ladies watch the Santos Demoiselle.   This beautiful square dial watch is slim and elegant. The bracelets have the classic Cartier panther style links which are soft and sensual.  Made in white and yellow gold the case is offered with a single row of perfect diamonds surrounding the dial.  The newer versions are created in all steel and a contrasting steel and yellow gold all styles are feminine and identifiable as a Cartier Santos Demoiselle.

Janet Deleuse

See the Santos Collection at shopdeleuse.com