Wrist & Wheel Vol. 3: When the Watch Met the Wheel: Ford Model T (1908) and Cartier Santos (1904)
A Woodward Dream Cruise Tribute to Two Icons That Moved the World
Every August, the Woodward Dream Cruise transforms Metro Detroit (where my wife was born and raised) into a rolling museum of automotive history — a place where the rumble of V8s, the real scent of exhaust (no smog-check here), and the gleam of chrome pay tribute to over a century of innovation.
This year, in honor of that heritage, we’re looking back at two creations — born just four years apart — that forever changed how we move through the world: the Ford Model T (1908) and the Cartier Santos (1904).
One put America on wheels. The other put time on our wrists. Together, they helped define modern life.
THE SPECS
1904 Cartier Santos
Purpose: First men’s wristwatch built for aviation
Commissioned by: Alberto Santos-Dumont, pioneering aviator
Core Specs:
Case: Square with visible screws (inspired by Cartier’s pocket watches)
Dimensions: ~25mm x 35mm
Dial: Bold Roman numerals, railroad minute track
Strap: Slim leather, made for comfort in the cockpit
Movement: Hand-wound mechanical
Function: Quick, hands-free time checks during flight
Innovation: Took the pocket watch off the chain and onto the wrist — redefining what a timepiece could be.
1908 Ford Model T
Purpose: First affordable, mass-produced car for everyday use
Created by: Henry Ford
Core Specs:
Engine: 2.9L inline-4, 20 hp
Transmission: 2-speed planetary gear + reverse
Top Speed: 40–45 mph
Wheelbase: 100 inches
Weight: ~1,200–1,500 lbs
Price (1908): $825
Innovation: Brought motoring to the masses with interchangeable parts, durable vanadium steel, and a design that handled rough roads.
Purpose-Built for a New Era
In the early 1900s, men carried pocket watches and cars were a luxury for the wealthy. Then came two visionaries:
Alberto Santos-Dumont, a Brazilian aviator, needed a timepiece he could check mid-flight without removing his hands from the controls. Louis Cartier responded with a flat, square-faced watch secured by a leather strap — the first purpose-built men’s wristwatch.
Henry Ford wanted to make the automobile affordable and practical for the everyday American. His solution? The Model T, a simple, rugged car designed for mass production.
Both inventions were born from necessity — and both redefined convenience, function, and style.
Democratizing Technology
Before the Cartier Santos, wristwatches were seen as delicate jewelry for women. Cartier’s design proved they could be tools for explorers, pilots, and eventually, anyone on the move.
Before the Model T, driving was a privilege of the wealthy. Ford’s assembly line made cars affordable for millions, transforming the automobile from status symbol to essential tool.
The parallel: Before them, the few had it. After them, the world wore it and drove it.
Shaping Modern Lifestyles
The Santos shifted how we measured time: always visible, always within reach. The Model T shifted where we could spend our time: the open road, the suburbs, the weekend getaway.
One lived on the wrist. The other lived on the road. Together, they moved the 20th century forward.
Timeless Icons
The Cartier Santos is still in Cartier’s collection today — evolved in materials and mechanics, but still instantly recognizable.
The Ford Model T, while no longer in production, remains one of the most celebrated vehicles in history — a blueprint for practicality and design simplicity.
They didn’t just start trends. They started eras.
Why This Matters for Collectors
Whether you’re into vintage cars or fine timepieces, the story of the Santos and the Model T is the same: utility can become beauty, and innovation can become timeless.
Both are proof that when design meets necessity, you don’t just create an object — you create a legacy.
This post is part of our Wrist & Wheel series — celebrating the moments where horology and horsepower intersect.
PR Timepieces — Sourcing, selling, and sharing the stories behind the world’s most remarkable watches.
