Cartier Santos Medium - 1 Year Later Q&A's

To celebrate my one year with the Cartier Santos Medium WSSA0029 watch, I am answering your Top Questions from Instagram. Even after one year, I still wear the Cartier Santos daily!
Skip ahead to any question!
0:00 Intro
0:12 Santos Scratches
1:34 What would you change
2:39 How to clean the Santos
3:58 Can you buy a new bezel
4:52 Best Santos Alternatives
6:22 Tank or Santos
6:56 Santos Large vs Medium
7:54 Favorite Strap combo
8:39 Alternative Santos Straps - Delugs
9:04 Final Thoughts after 1 Year
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Thanks so much for watching!
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[@MinuteMon]

Here’s My MOST Worn Dive Watch - Tudor Black Bay 58 Silver 925 1 Year Review kzbin.info/www/bejne/oaPcamqClLKdiqc

[@SuperBechti]

There is nothing wrong with a scratched watch. I think that watches are made to be worn therefore eventually will scratch and will look alive. Wear your watches, don’t worry and enjoy them fully.

[@malcolmmartin3206]

Nicely done video. If this price correction does anything, let’s hope it gets us back to people buying watches to wear. Scratches and all.

[@LIONTAMER3D]

100%, scratching & denting make the watch unique, make it yours, and shows you're NOT "flaunting it" lol

[@SuperBechti]

@@LIONTAMER3D exactly. There is nothing more annoying that the guy who keeps freaking out every time he sees a new scratch on his watch.

[@regulartxdude7813]

But they could have made the bezel from ceramic or harder stainless. The fact that it easily scratches keeps me from purchasing. My Omega sea master is 15 years old and looks amazing.

[@SuperBechti]

@@regulartxdude7813 well, I personally find the ceramic bezels to be too shiny and flashy. If you have a watch that age with time with scratches on the case and the bracelet, I found quite weird to have a bezel that looks so perfect on it. A full ceramic watch that has a brushed aspect, why not?

[@TrendyStone]

I have the large and love it. The watch is quite thin which somehow makes the larger size work, even on a small diameter wrist. I love mine. I also easily polish out the scratches from time to time with a cape cod polishing cloth and the bezel looks good as new and I've used a satin bar on the bracelet to bring it back to new condition. Very easy to do. .

[@etothe549]

This is such a knockout watch review. Smooth, well thought out, and great camera work.

[@MinuteMon]

Thank you so much!

[@miguelgjesus]

I bought my santos after your review one year ago and I must say I feel exactly the same as you do now. It’s the perfect everyday watch.

[@MinuteMon]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 perfect everyday watch!

[@moabash]

I can confirm that you can buy a new bezel from Cartier. I had once scratched my Cartier Santos badly that I didn’t feel comfortable polishing it. So I requested a bezel replacement and they did. The watch was back to new!

[@atl3630]

How much did they charge you? Thanks for your comment

[@moabash]

@@atl3630 In USD it was around $345

[@MinuteMon]

Thanks for sharing! I’ll pin this for those interested in this topic.

[@wongbryson]

If the case is badly scratched, can we buy a replacement case too?

[@moabash]

@@wongbryson I only had the bezel replaced, but I would assume that cases are also available as spare parts, as all other watch parts, the reason people go for polishing is because it’s the cheaper option. But me personally I’d rather have a brand new look instead of a polished look.

[@jayr8600]

The Santos is number one on my wish list! Thanks for the review! It looks pretty good on all those other straps too!

[@MinuteMon]

Thank you! I believe it works as a great One Watch Collection for many instances

[@lefroy1]

Really nice, comprehensive review. Parlicularly liked the 'cleaning' segment, and just how much you're enjoying your Cartier. It looks great!

[@matslundgren1632]

It looks great after one year, I love a lot of scratches showing that the watch has a life. I am on the fence of buying one but yours looks so good ❤

[@unospuer8139]

One of if not my favorite watch,it’s just so clean and nice.

[@Stzymediaagency]

i have been thinking about getting the omega speedy for a few years now, but seeing this santos on the different straps is really making me re-think my purchase. I really like the grey, green, and even the blue options for this watch. They all looked so unique. I love the white dial and slim case. Thanks for the video! Really enjoyed it.

[@Peter-Alexander]

Both are so iconic....you definitely should buy them both 😊

[@jeffhaynes9930]

I switched from brown strap to blue and it really makes it pop! I love it.

[@jc4373]

What a great idea to make a 1 year review. I saw your first review and decided to get the medium santos. I had the santos 100 years ago and it was so large and bulky on my 7.25 inch wrist that I traded it in for a Rolex . Cartier makes such Classic watches the large thick case Didn’t look like something cartier would design . The medium feels a little small but it’s so classic and looks more like the original 1904 santos. When you have small scratches all over the bezel as you now have, the patina looks amazing and adds so much more charm to the watch. Keep up the great videos.

[@MinuteMon]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I have nothing to hide with my bezel scratches and like you said, it makes the Watch more beautiful. Hope more people can enjoy their watches and not worry about the scratches along the way

[@Kbo513]

I really like the design of the Santos that I ended up getting both a Santos Dumont Large and a Santos de Cartier in medium. I do find myself babying the medium steel Santos more due to how it scratches so easily in all its components. I still love them both though that now I’m tempted to get the new large blue bezel and blue dial Santos so I have a more sportier/ sort of rugged Santos.

[@misterfidelis]

This is my number 1 dream watch. Thanks for sharing!

[@bsuper80]

Great video Derek. I’m loving my Santos medium that I just bought from your store! Perfect everyday watch.

[@MinuteMon]

So perfect! Glad you enjoy it

[@TheWatchFactor]

I love the simplicity of Cartier. I have the Roadster GMT and a Pasha. You can stare at the dial for hours.

[@WrongTimeWatch]

I could have purchased this watch a little over a year ago at a discount. I sometimes regret passing on it, and this is one of those times. We have the same wrist size, and it looks great on your wrist.

[@kingjames5946]

I have one for sale for 4800 plus shipping if you are still looking

[@DennisC_X]

Love this video, especially since you’re honest about the bezel, and you have a similar sized wrist at me…looking forward to more content!

[@MinuteMon]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it

[@fairgreen00]

You've taught to me appreciate Cartier more and more!

[@firing_reyes]

Excellent review!! 10 of 10!!! Thank you!

[@atl3630]

I love that you did this follow up video!

[@MinuteMon]

Love that you enjoyed it!

[@sam_yang]

Thank you. I was going for the large, but now def going for the medium

[@franckregnault1527]

Great video and nice feedback after a long time owning. Thanks !

[@BrandonMenancio]

I love long term reviews. Sweet ass watch and great vid!

[@MinuteMon]

Thanks Brandon! 🙌🏼 that’s like your Tudor BB58 2 year review, loved it!

[@tl4238]

I just ordered the Santos medium with the subtle green dial, I think it is timeless in design but also a bit different with the green dial and strap. Thank you for your reviews and update.

[@TheTownWatch]

Great video Derek! I was planning to do a one year review video on my Santos too! September will be my one year anniversary of owning mine!

[@MinuteMon]

Can’t wait to hear your one year!

[@ashlily3372]

Just got mine last week! My ultimate watch! Mine is also medium with leather strap and rose gold bezel!

[@MinuteMon]

Congrats! Great choice

[@Sturnburn772]

Agree with everything you said. It's a perfect watch. Hopefully I'll own one one day

[@PokerOnChips]

in love with this watch i rather have this than a rolex to wear personally definitely a goal for my first watch

[@LevitateStyle]

Love the watch! Great video!

[@MinuteMon]

Thanks Leo 🙌🏼 it’s such a great piece

[@Yo_mama_wears_combat-boots]

What a great review.! I love Santos. The watch looks great in your wrist. I’m not a fan of having the date or diamonds around my watch. Though the Cartier diamonds are beautiful I prefer just a clean face. I am debating between the Panthère and a Louis Tank. I just love the Panthère Bracelet. The Louis Tank is timeless. I want to be able to wear my watch everyday - without worry- like you. I’m going to Cartier tomorrow and will decide when get there! Thank you for your video.. ( I jumped when you dropped the face into the small bowl of soapy water !!)

[@66racer]

Man, this watch has grown on me since seeing it in person, I may have to get one. My wife was happy about that too as she walked out with a bracelet when my intentions were only to see the Santos lol

[@TwentyOne_Five]

Fantastic review. I’m wearing mine now. Your correct on all accounts.

[@MinuteMon]

Enjoy it!

[@billcore6295]

My 2021 gray black dial santos is my favourite watch in my extensive collection. It's universal and pure class

[@michaelross9365]

Excellent video! Cheers!

[@patriciaquintela899]

My heart is set on the Santos medium as well even if the bezel scratches do make me crazy.

[@edchang9521]

Awesome review I love the Santos Medium and it’s high on my list. I was debating between the Santos and the Chopard Alpine Eagle. For the price/value, I think the Santos is a clear bargain/winner. Love to hear your thoughts. Thanks

[@MinuteMon]

Chopard Alpine Eagle is awesome as well, I considered having both in the collection at the same time because to me they will wear differently. Plus the dials are completely different

[@ziiamkyz]

love your videos!!!

[@BartMan59]

I have the Cartier Tank XL and I am shopping for a Santos Large. Cartier is the GOD Tier of all watches!

[@Chrissepisje]

Nice Santos. The one GADA watch that comes to mind is a Nomos Ahoi Neomatik in 36mm and signal white with the metal sports bracelet. 200m WR, will work fine on leather, looks dressy enough to not have to swap it.

[@mmbrey4973]

great vid, 100% true what you said , love my mid sized santos over the moon…

[@guusish]

Great review! Love the content. I had the same thing think the large was also to big for me and the medium was perfect. In the end I only had the money to buy one watch and I have bought the grand Seiko SLGA007 lake suwa. I know the price is a bit more up but when I had them side to side there was no question for me anymore. In the end love the Santos and would like to own one some time. Keep up the great videos

[@MinuteMon]

SLGA007 is awesome!! No wrong choices here

[@guusish]

@@MinuteMon yea I was searching for it in Europe where I live but everywhere it was sold out. I was two weeks back on a holiday in the U.K. and to my surprise I saw it in a shop on York! Took some time to think it out since it was my first expensive watch bit I am very happy with it! Love the channel, would like to see more reviews. Best regards Guus

[@stevenjm12]

I like that blue strap at the end the best

[@stebesplace]

A few thoughts from my end: I have the medium as well, and it's a fantastic watch. The bezel can be easily polished without removing major amounts of metal for the hairlines using a Cape Cod cloth, and 100% agree a micro adjustment in the bracelet would have been MUCH APPRECIATED. I noticed you dried your watch with a paper towel. Those paper fibers will scratch that bezel quite easily. Your best bet is to use a microfiber with high fiber count (> 400). Also, a camera lens blower works well to remove excess water in the bracelet. Thanks for the great video!

[@MinuteMon]

Thanks for the tips! Will check out the microfiber cloth as well

[@peterfox863]

@@MinuteMon Cape cod cloth is the last thing to use on a watch. They take off lots of metal, I mean A LOT, and leaves a roundish uneven appearance. No watchmaker uses this. Its total crap. Use only if you want to ruin your watch.

[@TrendyStone]

I have the large Santos. People say to just enjoy the scratches...but I simply take a Cap Cod Polishing Cloth and polish the bezel once each year. Takes about 10 minutes. Purchased in 2019 and in 2024 it looks new.

[@maggyh199]

Great review, very very helpful! I am trying to decide between Santos Medium two-tone, Rolex Yacht Master rhodium dial and an Explorer I two-tone. Decisions, decisions!

[@1xdev]

Love your content.

[@eugeneboyko1195]

Thanks for the additional info

[@hectthorno584]

The white dial is a sure choice. But I have absolutely no legbility problem with the blue one whatever the light conditions are. I even find it very convenient for my life style : yesterday i was driving in a tunnel and I checked the time. The lume gave it to me right away. What depends on the light conditions is the color blue. Most of the time the dial seems black, then the blue reveals itself sometimes. Magic!

[@Freerunx3]

This watch looks awesome on you. Great Choice.

[@kurtkomaromi3690]

Great review. Thanks for sharing a balanced summary of the Santos.

[@MinuteMon]

Thanks Kurt! Glad you enjoyed it

[@willcarella]

Man Idk if it’s the lighting or what but the aqua terra looks amazing on your wrist

[@tomthompson7400]

great video , thanks for the info.

[@yigithan7345]

great review!

[@JustMeTalking]

Having a watch collection is hugely important (in my opinion)... I wear my £80 G-Shock if I'm scratching about... or my G-Shock Mudmaster if gardening, DIY, Camping... or G-Shock MRG for indoors banging about. But for evenings I'll be wearing Rolex, Omega, Grand Seiko, Cartier as the environment risk changes. Then haute horology for flexing if required 😂

[@willburrows8834]

I have the large model with the blue dial and use cape cod polishing cloths. It looks like new. Any small scratches just polish out. If you ding it really badly and take out a chunk that a polishing cloth can’t remove, Cartier will just replace the bezel every service anyway. Enjoy the watch.

[@niikurasu2855]

Thanks this video made me buy it :)

[@bowedonut22]

I don’t mind scratches but I hate “breaking in” a watch so I think I’m gonna look at pre-owned. Thanks for the review

[@kingjames5946]

I am selling mine for 4800 plus shipping if you are still looking

[@michaelphillips5263]

Love the tip about keeping the 6 o'clock side a little shorter than the 12.

[@j.h4504]

Looking for one of these in a medium for my 18th. Would be upgrading from my tag heur aqua racer to something more elegant. Everyday I fall more in love with the santos

[@kingjames5946]

I am selling mine for 4800 plus shipping if you are still looking

[@roikhockenberger2790]

I would add that you can buff out most of the scratches, carefully of course, if the bezel scratches are not too severe.

[@OmittingNumber]

honestly, I think a thoroughly scratched santos bezel is quite nice. The transitions between there and unscratched is a tough period I'm sure though

[@danielqueiroz9008]

It really is tough. The first scratches hurt everytime I looked at the watch they were glaring. After a few more you get used to it.

[@Julianvanderheijden]

Thank you for this

[@LumeShot]

Derek = Santos Medium. Tool-less bracelet adjustment / removal is massively underappreciated

[@MinuteMon]

Haha guilty.. I just love the watch so much. That’s like how I think of you = AP 15450.

[@oeiras99]

The leather strap gives the watch a completely different look, like getting two watches in one. If bored with the look, just change the strap for a while.

[@deltropico7]

A friend of mine has an old Santos Galbée that is scratched up and beat up, yet oozes character. If later in life my medium Santos looks like half of said watch I'll be over the moon!

[@MinuteMon]

I love that!

[@westhavenor9513]

I believe a replacement bezel is ~$250 with Cartier while getting the watch serviced. One solution would be to remove the bezel and have it professionally brushed. Obviously, that would alter the bling factor of the watch, but you wouldn't have to worry about light scratches so much.

[@dannyfierro1597]

Just for the record, the watch actually has VERY strong anti-magnetic features. Far MORE than most, to include Rolex and other high end watches in this relative price point. Great review

[@coreygolphenee9633]

Well except the Milgauss when it comes to Rolex

[@dannyfierro1597]

@@coreygolphenee9633 Actually the Milgauss stats account for fields up to 1000 whereas the Cartie Santos is 1200 (BOTH can do MORE based on independent studies) BUTTTT the technical specs on antimagnetism for the Carier is BETTER.

[@1ce2berg]

​@@dannyfierro1597 is it better than Omega's?

[@dannyfierro1597]

@@1ce2berg In general, YES. That said, the Omega Railmaster is 15,000 gauss

[@dannyfierro1597]

@@1ce2berg And my FAVORITE watch brand is Omega

[@arielargo]

For the price Cartier should consider adding a protective coating to the steel. Zelos, Traska and even Citizen have it on some of their watches and helps a lot with the scratches. With that it really elevates it more to the sporty watch it wants to be.

[@coreygolphenee9633]

I think it would affect the finish of the watch which is kinda to point with Cartier, that bracelet is the best on anything less than 30

[@LIONTAMER3D]

@@coreygolphenee9633 correct: supple steel snake feel all the way. Vacheron does the same thing: solid steel bracelets that feel & hang like fkn silk, somehow

[@tulioalexbo5312]

Well done review.

[@solomoralez6198]

Love the omega!!

[@SonikDethmonkey]

I agree with the micro adjustment! I have a 6.5” wrist and this is such a big problem for me that I’ll likely end up selling it. It is either way too tight or way too loose for me. So disappointing…

[@coreylancaster4917]

Rock the leather band and do wrist excercises to bulk your wrists up to fit😂

[@zylbygdfn6542]

Love the santos even though it scratches like crazy

[@MinuteMon]

That’s the double edge sword of the Santos 😆

[@scottdoucette117]

Great video. I just bought a large. Where did you get the Cartier soft box at around 9:45 in the video?

[@richardokeefe3943]

Great video. I own a Rolex however I would definitely consider buying a Cartier and an Omega. I like the styling of both watches. Thanks for sharing.

[@anthonymartinez2982]

Looks sick in the gray straps

[@harrislam]

Happen to come across this video of yours in my feed. I really like the design of Santos and would like to get it at some point in my life (preferably while I'm still young enough), and I would opt for the medium because it's the elegant size to an elegant watch (my small wrist also plays a part). Interestingly, I'm also considering a used Aqua Terra as my next watch for 2 reasons : I need a bracelet summer watch (which Santos also fits), and Omega AT is a watch I can resell at comparable price to what I buy it used for. From that, we share quite a lot of similarities. I will most likely buy the AT first, after the economy is done kicking my ass.....

[@MinuteMon]

Both great pieces 👍🏼

[@ZDawg12]

Idk you played killer instinct as a kid but that “ccccccc-combo breaker” hit for me. Anyways, great video. Thinking of adding this to the collection with additional strap options.

[@danielebarbuto7622]

The Medium Size is absolute perfect for your wirst. We have the Same wrist size. I also want to buy this Watch

[@danielebarbuto7622]

What does this message mean?

[@MinuteMon]

It was a fake account / spam. I’ve reported it. Thanks for letting me know

[@comment1637]

Great vid

[@varadero5337]

I have the Santos with Gold screws and gold roman numerals . I just had serviced at Cartier . it looks like brand new

[@pietrosaltarelli5745]

Hello, did I get it right that there is a difference between the medium and large regarding bezel scratches? Thanks, great video

[@federicopedata2950]

I have buy this Santos medium 3 week ago and absolutely love it . Super confortable and accuracy top. One week ago also arrived this Cartier lotion and it looks like a good product🫡

[@andriiret]

Great video! And what about movement accuracy? In all the reviews I've seen so far, this topic is not covered (and I believe it's very important for the daily wearer)

[@MinuteMon]

I covered the movement accuracy in the original 3 month review, but in a nutshell mine is running +2/day for over a year

[@arsenal10141014]

Watch is class / looks great

[@ItsTheLondonFella]

Thank you for your perspective. I’m thinking of getting the two tone (yellow gold) version. My wrist is only 16CM, so would you advise getting the medium? I wear a 41MM Apple Watch, which is the smaller case. I’ve always loved the Santos; such an iconic watch, and I’m not even a watch person! Thanks again.

[@kingjames5946]

I am selling my steel version for 4800 plus shipping if you are still looking

[@a-complished4406]

My dream watch.. for obvious reasons :)

[@M123OCT]

I have the medium too, but no scratches because I'm super-careful and it's rotated with other watches. I'd like a larger size, but I wish they did the large one without the date complication, which I think spoils the dial.

[@MinuteMon]

Yeah I love no date on the Cartier Santos - feels well balanced

[@punjabitechnicaltrader8272]

Bless me with this watch

[@shuycg]

Your bezel can be polished starting with a 3 micron diamond paste. So the amount of metal you will take away would allow many, many polishes before you will notice anything. Then.. it's just a bezel you can replace.

[@TipoF129B]

Good review thanks. Did you consider the 2 tone and if yes why did you chose the stainless? I imagine the bezel of the 2 tone is even softer and will show more scratches.

[@MinuteMon]

Yes! The two tone was also a super top contender, but the steel version won for me mainly because with the neutral gray, white, black and blues it was easier to wear without thinking too much

[@DavidCosmos1]

Hope it comes out in a brushed silver bezel version. I love the watch but if your harsh the bezel is a design flaw for a design house such as Cartier

[@MinuteMon]

I never viewed their polished bezel as a design flaw since this is based off how Cartier created their first pilot’s watch for Alberto Santos-Dumont and I don’t believe their intended audience for this design would be constantly worrying about scratching their bezel. But Cartier has created brushed PVD bezels on their new models to meet these concerns while still keeping the classic Cartier Santos with a polished bezel

[@markjonz]

I think it looks cool and well loved with the hairline scratches. Would be a shame to polish them out. It's a great watch that's for sure!

[@MinuteMon]

I agree! Hence why I don’t mind the scratches. I’ll only request a light refinishing when it’s time to get a service otherwise I’ll just keep wearing and enjoying business as usual 😎

[@AlexB0315]

Loveed your video, have a doubt, ? as a first luxury watch do you recommend me a tank must large, or otherwise a Santos large on calf strap. Also a Tudor pelagos 42 it's on my mind, what I should do?

[@vab120]

I have a medium as well, and my wrist is 7.25 inches. The large dial is less clean with the date, it feels like an imperfection, doesn’t feel as symmetrical as the medium. Another thing that is absolutely gorgeous is the white they use : it’s not 100% white, it’s silver white. And depending on how the sun hits the dial, you get 100 different shades of white. Also, this is the most iconic and comfortable integrated stainless steel bracelet. A true homage to the aviation industry, feels like wearing a fuselage.

[@Nefville]

No way. I have been eyeing the Santos for a few years but I just can't deal with scratches like that. I heard it was bad I had no idea it would be that bad. Looks like its the blue or DLC bezel for me. PS Cartier could fix this issue permanently by using tungsten carbide for the bezel like Omega does on some watches.

[@watchnerds]

Longines sector next! With the bracelet

[@pgforcez8949]

This is my dream watch

[@jamessago9995]

Random question - love the watch and that white/green shirt. Where’d you get the shirt from?

[@MinuteMon]

Shirt is from Zara, thanks for watching!

[@SaddleSC]

Almost time to do a 2-Year update!!!

[@GetOffMyLawnSKX]

That’s a gorgeous watch!!!