Cartier usually has the biggest list of novelties each year. I saw the majority of them during Watches & Wonders 2026 in Geneva, and while there are a lot of impressive watches, it is simply impossible to show them all. Already during my photoshoot appointment, I had to select my favorite models just to be on time shooting them. Here are my favorite Cartier watches of 2026.
Santos-Dumont on the Precious Metal Bracelet
Cartier has masterfully reimagined the Santos-Dumont by pairing its classic, historic silhouette with an incredibly sophisticated metal bracelet. Inspired by the Maison’s custom-made creations from the 1920s , this new bracelet feels exceptionally fluid on the wrist, featuring a 15-row mesh structure composed of 394 individual, highly polished links that are just 1.15 mm thick.
The absolute highlight for me is the Large Model (LM) version featuring a stunning dial crafted from gilded Mexican obsidian. The natural air bubbles trapped within the volcanic stone create unique iridescent reflections, and at a mere 0.3 mm deep, cutting it is an absolute feat of precision craftsmanship. For those who prefer a more traditional look, Cartier is also offering the watch with silvered satin-finish sunray dials in either full yellow gold or platinum.
The Specs:
- Dimensions: 43.5 mm x 31.4 mm
- Thickness: An ultra-slim 7.3 mm
- Movement: Manufacture manual-wind Caliber 430 MC
- Water Resistance: 3 bar (~30 meters)
The 10th Anniversary of Cartier Privé
The ultra-exclusive Cartier Privé collection celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. For 2026, the Maison has split the collection into two distinct design directions: the platinum-cased complications labeled Les Opus, and a tribute to yellow-gold historical icons labeled La Collection.
All models in the Les Opus trilogy are finished in signature platinum and feature sophisticated burgundy detailing, classic blued-steel hands, and a ruby cabochon in the crown. Among the three, the Tortue Chronographe Monopoussoir and the Crash Squelette stand out as my personal favorites.
Cartier Tortue Chronographe Monopoussoir: A true grail for Cartier purists. The elegant, curved tonneau shape has been given beautifully refined proportions. It is powered by the manual-winding Caliber 1928 MC—an exceptionally slim chronograph movement at just 4.30 mm thick. The start, stop, and reset functions are all seamlessly operated via a single pusher integrated directly into the crown, keeping the case profile completely clean.
Cartier Crash Squelette: A striking statement against conventional watchmaking. With a spectacular skeletonized movement, the watch becomes a piece of wearable sculpture. Cartier developed the manual-wind Caliber 1967 MC from scratch with 142 components designed to fit the asymmetrical, distorted geometry of the case. The movement bridges are hand-sculpted into Roman numerals, requiring over two hours of precision hand-finishing per element. It is limited to 150 numbered pieces.
To contrast the platinum complications, La Collection focuses strictly on yellow-gold Cartier classics, including the Cloche de Cartier, Tank Cintrée and Tank Normale. For me, the standout here is the Tank Normale. It is the purest, most direct descendant of the original 1917 Tank design, focusing strictly on architectural lines and classic proportions (32.6 mm x 25.7 mm). Powered by the ultra-compact manual-winding Calibre 070, the watch sits at a mere 6.85 mm thick on the wrist. I love the specific dial details here: a horizontal satin-finished golden dial, sharp black Roman numerals, and traditional blued-steel pomme (apple-shaped) hands. Paired with a dark grey alligator strap, it is the ultimate expression of quiet, vintage elegance.
The Santos “Ghost”
One mysterious novelty appeared at Watches and Wonders without any announcement from Cartier. There was no press release, no dedicated presentation, and hardly any official information—just the watch itself. In that sense, it perfectly lives up to its name: the Santos “Ghost.”
Despite its discreet arrival, the watch has quickly become one of the most talked-about Cartier releases among enthusiasts. On my own social media channels, photos of the Santos Ghost generated an enormous number of views and reactions, with many collectors immediately expressing their interest in the piece.
Information is currently limited, but here is what we know so far: the Santos Ghost is a mid-size, stainless-steel automatic model featuring a polished bezel. It is expected to hit boutiques in November with a retail price of €6,900. Personally, I find this watch incredibly appealing, and it is a piece I would happily add to my own collection.
For more information about Cartier watches, visit cartier.com.
