Sebastian Stan wearing the Santos Black Dial (All photos: Cartier)
With its unique square case, exposed screws and abundant heritage, the Santos de Cartier collection has maintained its distinctive character while evolving with the times for more than a century.
The appeal of calling a Santos de Cartier your own is indisputable, and now enthusiasts can look forward to two new iterations: one in titanium and the other in steel with a black dial. The latter inaugurates the use of Super-LumiNova hands.
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Loyal to the blueprint of the original Santos watch, the titanium version is 43% lighter and 1.5 times harder than steel. The black spinel of the winding crown and the anthracite of the fully bead-blasted, matte-finish material bring out the depth of its colour. By contrast, the all-steel model with a sporty black dial features a railway track and hands coated in fluorescent Super-LumiNova green. The dial is finished with a half satin and half sunburst motif. This model also includes a heptagonal crown set with a faceted blue synthetic spinel and a satin-finish case.
Actor Sebastian Stan, a long time fan of classic Hollywood cinema, began admiring Cartier watches when watching old movies and noticing actors he adored wearing them. The Santos de Cartier collection holds a special fascination for him, not just for its celebrated design, but for its ability to be dressed down for casual outings or paired with a suit for an elegant evening. It has become the foundation of his personal style.
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Tell us more about your relationship with Cartier watches.
Sebastian Stan: I’ve always loved old films from the 1940s and 1950s, and I just liked the way people looked and dressed at that time, and I noticed that many actors were wearing Cartier watches! Their pieces have such a timeless, I would say effortless quality. They’re just as relevant today as they were back then, which is kind of incredible. I’ve been wearing Cartier for several years now. To me, it’s instantly classic, something that never goes out of style.
What do you look for in a timepiece?
A watch is such an essential piece — for me, it has to be more than just something that tells time. I think it should say something about you. I also like having a watch because otherwise, I’m constantly checking my phone, which I do not like and really try to avoid. A watch lets you disconnect a bit. For me, it needs also to be something with presence. It’s not just about style, it’s about how it makes you feel when you wear it.
What drew you most to the Santos de Cartier?
I would say its bold style and iconic design. Also, I like that the Santos is versatile, it works just as well with something elegant as it does with a more casual, relaxed look. I like wearing my Santos slightly loose, it feels great on the wrist! It almost feels like it has a life of its own. It’s almost like now I cannot leave the house unless I feel it on my wrist! I’ve long appreciated the collection and it’s interesting to see its continued development. The latest additions, particularly the black dial and titanium versions, are quite compelling. They both have a strong, masculine energy! I’m really into how Cartier explores materials and plays with that hardware aesthetic — I think it reflects the Maison’s creativity in a powerful way.
What’s your relationship with time — both in your life and your career?
Time is one of the few things we can’t control, but it makes it incredibly meaningful. In my career, timing has often been everything, whether it’s choosing a role, waiting for the right project, or learning to be patient with the process. In life, I try to stay present, so wearing a watch reminds me to value time!
