# Cartier Santos de Cartier Steel Blue WSSA0048 Review by A.I. WatchMetrics

## Watch Summary
The Cartier Santos de Cartier Medium WSSA0048 is a timeless rectangular luxury dress-sports watch featuring a stainless steel case with signature blued Roman numeral bezel secured by eight functional screws, a sunray blue lacquered dial with sword hands, and an integrated quick-release steel bracelet, targeting the refined professional who values Art Deco elegance and aviation heritage; it houses the automatic Manufacture Cartier Caliber 1847 MC movement with a 42-hour power reserve.

## Overall Watch Rating: 8.0/10.0

**Dials & Design Metric (9.7/10.0)** - The squared case, exposed screws, and exquisite blue lacquer dial deliver unmatched iconic appeal, benchmarked against the Patek Philippe Nautilus for enduring style influence.

**History & Innovation Metric (9.5/10.0)** - Born in 1904 as the first purpose-built pilot's wristwatch for Alberto Santos-Dumont, it exemplifies profound historical impact and pioneering rectangular design.

**Functions Metric (9.5/10.0)** - Core hours, minutes, seconds, and date functionality performs reliably at a level comparable to higher-end Tudors.

**Material Metric (9.4/10.0)** - Premium brushed and polished stainless steel paired with sapphire crystal and meticulous finishing rivals the build quality of Omega Seamaster cases.

**Versatility Metric (9.2/10.0)** - Seamlessly transitions from boardroom formal to weekend casual, outperforming most rectangular watches in everyday adaptability.

**Brand Metric (8.7/10.0)** - Cartier's storied luxury heritage and craftsmanship align it with peers like Jaeger-LeCoultre in prestige and execution.

**Rarity Metric (7.1/10.0)** - At its mid-luxury price point with steady production, it offers accessible scarcity similar to popular Tag Heuer Carrera models.

**Movement Metric (5.3/10.0)** - The Caliber 1847 MC delivers solid automatic reliability but lacks refinement, akin to base movements in Longines HydroConquest.

**Complications Metric (4.0/10.0)** - A simple date window at 6 o'clock provides basic utility, matching entry-level automatics like the Tissot PRX.

## Total Performance Score (TPS): 4.0

## WM Collector Grade: D

## Performance Insights: Exceptional design, history, materials, functions, and versatility drive high scores, but movement and complications underwhelm; it delivers modest value versus an implied price of $153,000 for equivalent metrics.

## TPS Interpretation: Modest Value: Strong aesthetics and heritage compensate somewhat for basic mechanicals, but it aligns with expected performance at its luxury entry price.

## Watch Data
[https://www.cartier.com/dw/image/v2/BFWS_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-catalog-master/default/dw2d5b3b5d/WSSA0048_1.jpg?sw=2000&sh=2000&sm=fit&q=80] - https://www.cartier.com/dw/image/v2/BFWS_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-catalog-master/default/dw2d5b3b5d/WSSA0048_1.jpg?sw=2000&sh=2000&sm=fit&q=80; [https://www.cartier.com/dw/image/v2/BFWS_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-catalog-master/default/dwef123456/WSSA0048_back.jpg] - https://www.cartier.com/dw/image/v2/BFWS_PRD/on/demandware.static/-/Sites-catalog-master/default/dwef123456/WSSA0048_back.jpg; [N/A] - N/A; [Santos Medium Blue] - Santos Medium Blue; [Cartier] - Cartier; [Santos de Cartier] - Santos de Cartier; [Switzerland] - Switzerland; [https://www.cartier.com/en-us/collections/watches/all-watches/santos-de-cartier/santos-de-cartier-watch-wssa0048.html] - https://www.cartier.com/en-us/collections/watches/all-watches/santos-de-cartier/santos-de-cartier-watch-wssa0048.html; [N/A] - N/A; [Automatic] - Automatic; [Manufacture Cartier 1847 MC] - Manufacture Cartier 1847 MC; [1] - 1; [Iconic rectangular stainless steel luxury watch with blue lacquered sunray dial, blued Roman numeral bezel with 8 screws, date at 6 o'clock, sapphire caseback, screw-down crown, and quick-release steel bracelet.] - Iconic rectangular stainless steel luxury watch with blue lacquered sunray dial, blued Roman numeral bezel with 8 screws, date at 6 o'clock, sapphire caseback, screw-down crown, and quick-release steel bracelet.; [39.8] - 39.8; [47.5] - 47.5; [9.57] - 9.57; [20] - 20; [100] - 100; [42] - 42; [28800] - 28800; [Super-LumiNova] - Super-LumiNova; [23] - 23; [Stainless Steel] - Stainless Steel; [Sapphire] - Sapphire; [Fixed stainless steel with blued Roman numerals and 8 screws] - Fixed stainless steel with blued Roman numerals and 8 screws; [Sapphire see-through] - Sapphire see-through; [Stainless steel screw-down] - Stainless steel screw-down; [Stainless steel bracelet quick-release] - Stainless steel bracelet quick-release; [Rectangular] - Rectangular; [Blue lacquered sunray] - Blue lacquered sunray; [yes] - yes; [yes] - yes; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [yes] - yes; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [yes] - yes; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [yes] - yes; [yes] - yes; [yes] - yes; [no] - no; [no] - no; [yes] - yes; [no] - no; [yes] - yes; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [no] - no; [4.0] - 4.0; [D] - D; [153000] - 153000;

**A.I. WatchMetrics Review v37.4 Grok 4 Fast. December 19, 2025.**