Encyclopedia / Cartier / Santos de Cartier
Current deal · verified Oct 19, 2026, 10:12 PM ET
$7,980 Retail $8,400
Save $420 (5%) · new · Jomashop
Ref. WSSA0029 (medium, steel bracelet) · Listed new on Jomashop
Brand new from a grey-market dealer; the warranty may be Jomashop's rather than Cartier's. Only 5% off. WatchMaxx listed it at $8,520, above Cartier's price. Prices change fast; check the store before you buy.
Price comparison: fixed-price listings
| Store | Condition | Box & papers | Asking price | Link | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrono24 marketplace seller | new | Not stated | $8,495 | View | Oct 19, 2026 |
| WatchMaxx | new | Yes* | $8,520 | View | Oct 19, 2026 |
Fixed-price (buy-now) asking prices in USD for ref. WSSA0029, cheapest new and cheapest pre-owned with box and papers per store, sorted low to high and checked Oct 19, 2026 (ET). Buy-now listings only. Pre-owned listings are shown only when the listing states box and papers. * New from a grey-market dealer: comes boxed, but the warranty card may be the dealer's rather than the brand's. Chrono24 rows are individual third-party marketplace sellers. Prices change fast; confirm with the store.
What it really costs
| Market | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cartier US retail | $8,400 (WSSA0029) | cartier.com |
| Grey-market new | $7,980 Jomashop · $8,520 WatchMaxx | jomashop.com / watchmaxx.com |
| Pre-owned | about $7,450 – $10,150 (median ~$8,200) | Chrono24 |
All prices in USD, checked Oct 19, 2026 (ET). Pre-owned ranges are the middle 80% of asking prices on the first Chrono24 results page for that ref (about 60 listings, used and some unworn), fixed-price listings only. Grey-market = brand-new from a non-authorized dealer.
Buying guide
Key references
| Ref. | What it is | US retail |
|---|---|---|
| WSSA0029 | Santos de Cartier medium, steel, silvered opaline dial, steel bracelet | $8,400 |
Which one I'd pick
Medium vs large: the medium WSSA0029 is the one most people should try first; the square case wears bigger than its numbers suggest.
New vs pre-owned: with only about 5% off new, a clean pre-owned example near the $8,200 median doesn't save much either. Buying from an authorized dealer with Cartier's warranty is a fair choice here.
What to check before you buy
- Box and papers: a brand warranty card matters for resale. Grey-market new watches may carry the dealer's warranty instead of the brand's, so ask which one you're getting.
- Bracelet: make sure all links and the original clasp are included; Cartier links are expensive to replace.
- Fakes and red flags: avoid prices far below the grey-market numbers above, stock photos only, or sellers who won't show the caseback, clasp and warranty card.
Alternatives worth a look
- Cartier Tank Must: Cartier's other icon, much cheaper pre-owned. (33.7 x 25.5 mm steel (large), High-autonomy quartz, retail $4,400 (CRWSTA0106, large, steel bracelet, Cartier US); WSTA0041 no longer listed)
- Cartier Ballon Bleu de Cartier 40 mm: Cartier's round automatic, below retail grey-market. (40 mm steel, Calibre 1847 MC)
- Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding: The integrated-bracelet luxury classic, at a big premium. (41 mm stainless steel (15510ST), Calibre 4302, retail $31,900 (15510ST.OO.1320ST.06, AP US site))
History
In 1904, the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier that pocket watches were unreliable and impractical to use while flying. Cartier's answer was a wristwatch.
Cartier went on to sell the Santos commercially; Wikipedia dates the line's creation to 1911.
Today's Santos de Cartier keeps the square case and exposed bezel screws. The medium WSSA0029 in steel is 8.82 mm thick and water resistant to about 100 m, per Cartier.
It is often described as the first pilot's watch.
Specifications
| Brand | Cartier |
|---|---|
| Model | Santos de Cartier |
| Key references | WSSA0029 |
| Launch year | 1904 |
| Case | 35.1 x 41.9 mm steel (medium) |
| Thickness | 8.82 mm |
| Movement | Calibre 1847 MC, automatic |
| Power reserve | Approx. 40 hours (Cartier) |
| Water resistance | 100 m |
| Approx. US retail (Oct 2026) | $8,400 (WSSA0029, medium, steel, Cartier US) |
Specs from the brand's official product page for the main reference. Retail prices are list prices, not market value, and change often.
Highlights
- Square case with exposed screws on the bezel
- Calibre 1847 MC automatic movement
- Water resistant to 100 m
FAQ
How much is a Cartier Santos medium?
Cartier's US site lists the WSSA0029 at $8,400 (checked Oct 19, 2026). It was $7,980 new at Jomashop, and pre-owned asking prices on Chrono24 mostly ran about $7,450 to $10,150.
Who was the Santos made for?
The Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, a friend of Louis Cartier, in 1904.
How thick is the Santos medium?
8.82 mm, per Cartier, with water resistance up to 10 bar (about 100 m).
Is the Santos a good deal grey-market?
Not by much. On Oct 19, 2026 the best grey-market price was about 5% under Cartier's retail.
Want this watch for less?
Every week I hunt down genuine deals on watches like the Santos de Cartier and send the best ones. Free, one email a week.
Get the free weekly issuePrices and availability last checked Oct 19, 2026. No affiliate links: I don't earn anything if you buy. Sources are listed in our research notes and linked above.