Cartier Santos
12 % below RRP
📱 Track this reference's market value on the go with the watch value app — daily median, price alerts and a watchlist.
ℹ️ 1-month trend
Price change over the past 30 days. Shows the short-term market movement — relevant if you want to buy or sell soon.
ℹ️ 4-month trend
The central metric behind the momentum score. It filters out short-term swings and shows the true, medium-term market trend of this reference.
ℹ️ Volatility
Annualised price fluctuation. Below 10 % = very stable, 10–20 % = normal, above 20 % = volatile. With high volatility the price can change quickly — in both directions. Be cautious about buying without checking the current price.
ℹ️ Momentum score
ChronoCheck's own indicator from 0 to 100, calculated from the 4-month trend, volatility and market direction.
- Above 60 — Upward trend. Good time to sell, prices are rising.
- 40 – 60 — Neutral. Stable price level, no pressure to act.
- Below 40 — Downward trend. Wait or enter at a good price.
ℹ️ Investment Grade A/B/C/D
ChronoCheck's own rating for each reference. A 0–100 point scale, made up of four weighted components:
- Momentum (40 pts) — trend strength from the momentum score.
- Liquidity (25 pts) — number of active live listings.
- Stability (20 pts) — inverse volatility — the calmer, the better.
- Source robustness (15 pts) — number of independent market sources.
- A · 75+ Trend is right, liquidity good, data broad.
- B · 55–74 Solid, but one component weaker.
- C · 35–54 Average, volatility or market breadth weigh on it.
- D · below 35 Downward or too little data — a collector's piece.
Not investment advice. Pure data analysis from aggregated market sources.
What if you had bought back then …
What would a purchase at the median market price back then have become — at today's level of $8,506. A pure return calculation, excluding insurance, servicing and transaction costs.
Data from an aggregated median time series (watch_market_daily). CAGR = Compound Annual Growth Rate, normalized to 365 days. Not an investment recommendation.
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Technical data
Lift angle 52° — important for timing-machine diagnosis: with this value a watchmaker can correctly measure rate deviation, amplitude and beat error. ChronoCheck verifies such technical details directly from the manufacturers' factory specifications.
Cartier Ref. WSSA0029 — Variants and collector names
Known as: Santos Medium Steel, New Santos Medium, 2018 Santos, QS Santos, Santos Steel 35
Production phases and changes
- 2018: Launch of WSSA0029 at SIHH 2018
Movement variants
- 1847 MC (?–today) · 28800 bph
Bezel variants
- WSSA0029-Bezel-Steel-8Screws "Exposed Screws Bezel"
Dial variants
- Silvered Opaline — Roman numerals printed in black, railway minute track, no date display
Crystal variants
- Saphir-Santos-Medium-Caseback
- Saphir-Santos-Medium-Front
Bracelet variants
- Santos Kalbslederband QuickSwitch Ref. Santos-Medium-Calfskin-QS
- Santos Stahlarmband SmartLink Ref. Santos-Medium-Steel-SmartLink
Serial numbers
- ? – ? (2018–?) — From around 2009, Cartier has used randomized alphanumeric serial numbers with no year encoding (format: digits + 2 letters, e.g. 123456AB). Year assignment is only possible via warranty card or a direct inquiry with Cartier. Serial number engraved on the caseback.
The Santos line disappeared from boutiques in 2016. Cartier opted against an incremental refresh and instead pulled the collection entirely — then unveiled a comprehensive relaunch at SIHH 2018. The WSSA0029 has since represented the medium variant within the Santos collection, replacing the Santos 100 XL with no transitional model in between.
## What the New 35.1 mm Case Changed
The case measures 35.1 × 41.9 mm at 8.83 mm thick — a markedly slimmer profile than its predecessor. Cartier pairs it with the calibre 1847 MC and introduced two proprietary systems alongside it: QuickSwitch allows a tool-free strap swap, while SmartLink enables bracelet size adjustment without a watchmaker. The watch ships with two straps as standard — steel and calfskin — which was not yet common practice across the industry in 2018.
## What the Secondary Market Rewards in the WSSA0029
The watch circulates in collector circles under several names — "New Santos Medium," "2018 Santos," "Santos Steel 35" — which makes meaningful price comparisons needlessly difficult. The condition of the QuickSwitch mechanism is the single most important factor for resale value, as early examples occasionally show wear on the spring bars. Pieces from the initial 2018 production run, complete with both original straps and full box, consistently command noticeably higher prices than examples missing the companion strap.
Brand profile: Cartier
Cartier watches (Santos, Tank, Ballon Bleu) are popular counterfeiting targets. The characteristic design (Roman numerals, blue sword hands) is recognizable, but also replicable.
- Sapphire cabochon crown: on genuine pieces SET IN METAL (bezel setting), on fakes usually GLUED. Test: loupe — adhesive residue around the edge = fake.
- Bracelet screws: genuine Cartier ALWAYS has visible screw slots. Pins = fake.
- 'Swiss Made' at 6 o'clock: MICROPRINT directly below the 6 o'clock marker. Fakes often omit it or print it crooked.
- Guilloché pattern: under 10x loupe EXACTLY parallel and uniformly deep. Irregularities = fake.
Serial number format: Cartier serial numbers: alphanumeric on the case back. Older models: number between the crystal ring and case. Cartier Passport included with new purchase.
Further sources
Buying guide: Cartier Santos
Entry into Cartier
At $8,506 this reference is one of the more affordable ways to wear a Cartier on your wrist. That is precisely why many pieces have already passed through several hands — condition varies accordingly. Buyers here should pay particular attention to service history and honest photos from the seller.
Where the price stands
The price of the Santos has risen by +21.7% over the past four months. Anyone selling now hits a good window. If you want to buy: no need to wait — the market is currently more hot than cold, and a clear end to the trend is not in sight.
Watch out for swings: This reference has an above-average volatility of 55.2 percent. In concrete terms: the price can move by several hundred euros within a few weeks. Check the current value before buying or selling — old listings or auction results from two months ago are of little help.
What to look out for when buying?
- Authenticity: The serial number and reference on the case must match the papers. A professional authenticity check of the Cartier Santos reliably rules out counterfeits.
- Condition: Check scratches on the case and bezel — professional refurbishment can leave traces.
- Service history: A documented service by the manufacturer or a certified watchmaker increases the value.
- Scope of delivery: Box, papers and warranty card make a noticeable price difference on the Santos.
- Independent certification: The CPS-52 standard covers 52 checkpoints — from the serial number and the timing machine to water resistance. The result is secured on the blockchain and can be verified at any time.
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