Tom Hiddleston’s Cartier Santos-Dumont is a lesson in old-school elegance

When it comes to red-carpet glamour, actors are generally split into two camps. In the high-fashion corner we have the likes of Pedro Pascal, with his rather ecclesiastical-looking black and white Prada outfit, which he wore sans tie to this year’s Baftas. And, flying the flag for classicism, we have stars such as Tom Hiddleston, who attended the ceremony in a double-breasted, shawl-collared tuxedo from Ralph Lauren’s ultra-luxe Purple Label line. This is trad eveningwear, worn straight up, no twist: hand-tied bow tie, crisp white pocket square, shiny black shoes and a suit cut neither too slim nor too baggy. 

Hiddleston’s choice of a Cartier Santos-Dumont in 18-carat rose gold and steel with black leather strap – worn with matching Santos De Cartier cufflinks – was entirely in keeping with this mood of old-school elegance.

What’s especially appealing about Hiddleston’s choice is the fact that the Santos-Dumont he wears is at the more accessible end of Cartier’s pricing. It’s a watch that offers all the undeniable wrist presence of a Cartier, with all the design signatures that you know and love – the Roman numerals on the dial, visible screws on the case (has “industrial chic” ever looked this chic?), the cabochon crown and, of course, the beautiful form of the case, which falls somewhere between a rectangle and a square – in a way that’s relatively fiscally friendly. 

Sure, it can’t fend off a magnetic force field, nor will it be much cop 200 metres under the sea – but if there has ever been a watch better designed to withstand the rigours of the red carpet, acceptance speech and afterparty, then we have yet to see it.

Cartier has enjoyed a wonderful run lately. Auction prices for the myriad variations of the Tank, such as the Tank À Guichet, Chinoise and Tortue, are about as high as they’ve ever been. What’s more, the brand has been dipping into its treasure trove of an archive to rerelease gems such as the Le Must De Cartier line, once worn by Yves Saint Laurent and now available in blue, green and red. 

Hiddleston’s choice of Cartier is in keeping with the new mood of dandified elegance in fine watches. And that’s a trend of which the Cartier brothers themselves would surely have approved.

Santos De Cartier cufflinks, £255. cartier.com

© Amélie Garreau

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