Cartier F1 Santos Dumont XL manual wind from Hont

[Branis]

My first order from Hont. Certainly not my last. Parcel arrived bombproof-packed after 9 days from payment. Never had such a fast delivery. Maybe I was lucky - but not only the parcel arrived perfectly, also the watch is as perfect as it can be. The movement runs so well that I didn't need to open and regulate (as I normally do). Strong amplitude and no more than 6 sec. difference between positions (sorry, I'm too lazy to check it again and take pictures - however it certainly doesn't mean that every watch leaving the factory will be regulated that well).
I had the gen on my wrist and liked it. Now I have the rep on my wrist and love it. But it's only been a week and I'm probably only "schockverliebt" (ask a German to translate it) - which nevertheless is a good sign.
I waited for posting this after 10 new straps in size 19mm arrive - but they didn't yet and I now want to give some pictures to those, who are thinking about buying this one.

I strongly recommend the watch and I strongly recommend Hont.
Even if you don't like Cartier that much - this is a really good rep. A bit thicker then gen (7,5mm vs. 8,8mm), but to me that makes it feel more masculine.

Oh, but I do not recommend the strap that comes from the factory. Although it has the nice integrated connection ends, the quality is crapshit. I figured that I do not need the integrated straps as other make the watch look a bit more vintage and not so flashy (but maybe one day I will buy a Saffiano-or Alcantara-strap from Delugs: https://delugs.com/collections/cart...ntos-dumont-strap?_pos=4&_fid=f568b8f80&_ss=c

You can see the movement and case construction here: https://biao6688.com/64071.html

You can see my first Cartier (which I always considered a feminine jewelry brand, although as we know, the Santos Dumont is claimed to be the first Pilot watch ever) here:









Thank you, @hontwatch , for answering my many questions and sourcing a perfect watch for me!

 

[Branis]

some more QC pics from Hont (this is exactly how the watch arrived):

 

[SD92]

Hello interesting.. which Factory is it ? Seems that other TS have only quartz version available

 

[SD92]

Hello interesting.. which Factory is it ? Seems that other TS have only quartz version available

Sorry F1 as written on the title

 

[Branis]

check the biao668 link for more about the mvmt

 

[Hesekiel]

I'm confused.
The GEN Cartier Santos Dumont XL is the ONLY one that comes with a Calibre 430MC mechanical movement; all the others are quartz powered.

However . . . to the best of my knowledge, the REP Cartier Santos Dumont XL is also quartz powered. Last time I checked, nobody could get a REP XL, and I've never even heard of a REP XL with mechanical movement.

Help me out here; what's powering your REP XL?

 

[Branis]

check the biao link (https://biao6688.com/64071.html ) to see the mechanical movement /this is what they write about it: "Movement/Exclusive customized Asian version 430MC hand-wound mechanical movement, with a power reserve of 36 hours when fully wound. Although this model has a dense bottom design, the F1 factory does not make it shoddily to reduce costs! The main plywood of the movement is engraved with the Cartier double C logo in the same manner as the original. The appearance is 90% similar to the original Caliber430MC movement, ..."
I was confused as well, because I couldn't find the hand wind Dumont from any of our TDs. But F1 makes them. And Hont has it. And the quality is really really good.

 

[GoProHero]

Interesting, saw this version and thought it was a fake of a fake lol, being F1 which to my knowledge only produced quartz.

How much did Hont have this one going for?

 

[BIONONE]

Beautiful watch! wear it in good health!

… if you consider opening it one day please allow us a glimpse into the rep manual movement haha

Or am i missing something with the biaoo link - i was not able to find any visual proof of a mechanical movement on the site. Or is it hidden somewhere?

 

[Branis]

This is how the movement looks. Beside the kind of nice Logo-decoration they installed fake levers which make regulation impossible (for an amateur like me at least). Feels like they are glued (for what reason ever). Does anybody know how to get them off without damaging or dissecting the whole movement?

 

[BIONONE]

It‘s a decorative plate on top of the real balance cock. The functioning regulator arms sit below the fake ones. Try removing the top plate to gain access to the functioning ones.

If you are not willing to damage anything try a local rep friendly watchmaker!

 

[Branis]

Got it. Thank you. Had the same with the ZF 4500V. Only here we have a closed caseback. It must be a movement they are using for other models with other casebooks, too. Cheers.

 

[LPhiE]

What is your wrist size? Been thinking about getting a Dumont and since this has a manual wind movement finally, I may pull the trigger, but worry that the XL might be a little big on my wrist.

 

[Branis]

My wrist is like 16,5 cm and the watch fits perfect. I also wear Panerai's 44mm and AP Offshores, though prefer more thinner watches these days. This Dumont XL is perfectly sized for my taste at the moment (I always considered Cartier a rather female jewelry brand, but got convinced through all that advertising with Rami Malek wearing women sized Cartiers.

 

[LPhiE]

My wrist is like 16,5 cm and the watch fits perfect. I also wear Panerai's 44mm and AP Offshores, though prefer more thinner watches these days. This Dumont XL is perfectly sized for my taste at the moment (I always considered Cartier a rather female jewelry brand, but got convinced through all that advertising with Rami Malek wearing women sized Cartiers.

Ok great. I have slightly bigger wrists so this should be fine.

I’ve contacted Hont so let’s see what he says regarding price and stuff. Thanks!

 

[looneytunes]

Beautiful watch, thanks for posting the pics as my TD recommended F1 factory and had never heard of them before either. I’m thinking of getting this in the gold plated case version. Anyone know how well the gold holds up and if I need to worry about fading?