Cartier Santos Vendôme 8192 'Grey / Ghost Dial + 2025 Cartier Service Papers & Box'

Here before us, we have a Cartier Santos model that we have not had before at 10 over 10: the Cartier Santos Vendôme 8192. In our eyes, a truly funky watch! Let's first take a look back at the history of the Cartier Santos.

The Cartier Santos is derived from the Cartier Santos-Dumont, designed for Alberto Santos-Dumont. This watch was originally brought to market thanks to a legend in the watch industry: Alain-Dominique Perrin, CEO of Cartier from 1975 to 1998. In 1978, Cartier launched the gold-steel Santos under his leadership. The watch received an integrated steel bracelet instead of the traditional leather strap. Additionally, Cartier added 18K gold to the case and bracelet to give the watch an extra touch of luxury. The model became wildly popular in the 1980s.

In 1987, the Santos was completely revised, renamed, and relaunched as the Santos Galbée. The case lost its rough appearance and gained more curved, round lugs, making it more comfortable on the wrist than its predecessor.

The Cartier Santos we offer here is not the standard Santos, but the variant with a round case, also known as Vendôme. The Cartier Vendôme was introduced around 1973 as a tribute to the iconic Place Vendôme in Paris, the historic meeting point of the great jewelers and watchmakers.

This model stands out with its round case: a stylish alternative to the angular shapes of the well-known Santos and Tank. The two characteristic lugs, to which the bracelet is attached, are more than a design choice: they symbolize the two streets that lead to the square after which the watch is named: Rue de la Paix and Rue de Castiglione.

The Cartier Santos Vendôme 8192, also known as Santos Ronde, that we have here features a special dial: the gray 'Ghost' or anthracite dial. This nickname refers to the Cartier print that, depending on the light, sometimes seems to disappear. Due to the structure of the dial, the color subtly varies between light gray and dark anthracite. A true eye-catcher!

The fully stainless steel integrated Cartier bracelet, which has remarkably remained tight and without stretch for its age, is in perfect condition. This type of bracelet is known from the Santos Galbée and Carrée, among others. The clasp features the Cartier logo, making this watch also worn as a stylish piece of jewelry. The round, stainless steel case of 33 mm is in beautiful condition and still clearly shows all the original lines. Of course, the watch is also equipped with the characteristic blue cabochon crown and matching steel hands.

The movement of this Cartier Santos Vendôme 8192 underwent an official, complete service in July 2025 at Cartier, carried out through a well-known Dutch retailer. The watch comes with Cartier service papers and a red Cartier box.

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What you need to know:
- Cartier Santos Vendôme 8192
- Equipped with Swiss Only gray 'Ghost' dial
- Correct steel hands and blue cabochon crown
- Steel 33 mm case in perfect condition
- Integrated steel bracelet in perfect condition, without stretch
- Complete Cartier service performed in July 2025
- Delivered with 2025 Cartier service papers and Cartier box
- Free insured shipping within the EU

Cartier

In 1847, Louis-François Cartier took over the jewelry workshop from his master. His sons and grandsons inherited the family business over the years. They opened stores in London and New York. In 1904, the Cartier brand was even named by King Edward VII of the United Kingdom as 'the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers'. Cartier became so popular that royal commissions came in from all over the world. 

Cartier is primarily known for its jewelry, but it also has a very rich history when it comes to watchmaking. In 1888, Cartier began making ladies' wristwatches. At that time, it was more common for men to choose the traditional pocket watch. Louis Cartier gave a good Brazilian friend, Santos Dumont, who was an aviation pioneer, a watch to wear during flights because he complained about the impractical use of a pocket watch while flying. The Cartier Santos-Dumont was not only the first watch for men but also the first true pilot's watch.

The case of the Santos was apparently inspired by a square pocket watch that Cartier had made. The design of the dial signals a shift towards the Art Deco style that would define the 1920s and 1930s. To this day, Cartier's design is determined by this. The case was designed to be robust, and the screws that held the glass in place were meant to resemble the legs of the new Eiffel Tower. The black Roman numerals also suggest the radial design of the streets and wide boulevards of Paris.