An early-1990s Cartier Santos Ronde in two-tone stainless steel and solid 18K yellow gold, powered by Cartier’s dependable Quartz Calibre 057. Its clean white lacquer dial, traditional Roman numerals, blued hands, and slim 27mm case capture the refined elegance of Cartier’s early-’90s design language. A charming and wearable classic within the broader Santos family.
Why It’s Special
The Santos Ronde ref. 8191 blends the signature Cartier codes — Roman numerals, blued steel hands, cabochon crown, and a two-tone “Or et Acier” aesthetic — into a compact, versatile profile. The white lacquer dial remains crisp with strong printing, the cabochon is intact, and the solid 18K bezel shows attractive light surface wear consistent with age. This reference is increasingly sought after for its timeless proportions and elegant wrist presence.
Condition
Clean overall vintage condition. The white lacquer dial is bright with sharp Roman numerals and matching blued hands. The solid 18K yellow-gold bezel shows light circular wear from regular use. The stainless-steel mid-case and two-tone bracelet present hairlines and mild stretch typical for this model, while screw-heads remain well defined. The sapphire cabochon crown is intact with no cracks. Bracelet fits approximately 16.5cm.
Performance: Quartz movement running correctly.
Details
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Reference: 8191
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Movement: Cartier quartz
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Serial: 8191329088 (1990–1991)
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Case: 27 mm stainless steel with solid 18K yellow-gold bezel
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Crystal: Sapphire
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Bracelet: Two-tone Santos “Or et Acier” bracelet (fits ≈ 16.5 cm wrist)
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Inclusions: Watch only — no box or papers
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Provenance: Sourced from Japan and inspected in Melbourne
