Introduction

When Cartier introduced the new Santos de Cartier Replica collection in 2018, it revolutionized one of the most beloved sports watches.

Among the most striking innovations was the bezel, which extends all the way to the bracelet attachment—a bracelet that can be quickly swapped out and adjusted directly by the wearer using an ingenious link-removal system known as SmartLink™.

In 2020, a new chronograph also made its debut—equally revolutionary for its integration of an in-house movement featuring a single pusher, positioned on the left side of the case to handle start and stop functions, while the winding crown was dedicated to the reset function. In 2026, Cartier presents a profoundly revamped chronograph that marks a partial return to its roots.

The New Santos de Cartier Chronograph

After a distinguished six-year run, a new Santos Chronograph makes its debut, characterized first and foremost by a redistribution of space on the dial: the outgoing version featured two oversized central sub-dials, while the small seconds sub-dial was undersized.

The date display remains at the 6 o’clock position in the new version; however, the brand’s designers have inverted the visual hierarchy of the registers, reducing the size of the chronograph hour and minute counters while, conversely, increasing the size of the continuous seconds counter.

A Completely Revised Dial

The new layout also features new outlines—rendered in gold on the gold and the steel-and-gold models—framing the sub-dials. The three registers sit atop a dual-finish base: satin-brushed within the classic vertical rectangular zone, and *sunray*-brushed on the flanking sections, with the outer *rehaut* (inner bezel ring) filled with luminescent material.