Watch Paparazzi

American football player Patrick Mahomes spotted wearing Cartier

Patrick Mahomes made his Met Gala appearance in a sharp double-breasted black suit, pairing the formal look with what may be his most understated luxury choice to date: a Cartier Santos de Cartier in stainless steel. For an event defined by maximalism, the Santos signals a deliberate pivot toward classic European horology — and it landed perfectly.

The watch in question appears to be the Santos de Cartier Large model, reference WSSA0018, introduced as part of Cartier's comprehensive 2018 relaunch of the Santos line. The case measures 39.8mm × 47.5mm, maintaining the iconic octagonal bezel secured with eight visible blued screws — a detail that was revolutionary when introduced and remains a design signature today. The dial presents a clean white silvered finish with bold Roman numerals, blue steel sword-shaped hands, and a discreet date window at the 3 o'clock position. The bracelet is the integrated steel 'Milanaise-inspired' interlinked design, fitted with Cartier's proprietary QuickSwitch system allowing strap changes without tools.

Powering the WSSA0018 is Cartier's in-house Manufacture caliber 1847 MC, a self-winding movement with a 40-hour power reserve, beating at 28,800 vph. While not a skeletonized showpiece, the 1847 MC represents Cartier's commitment to full manufacture status — a credibility marker the maison spent years building. The sapphire caseback offers a clean view of the rotor.

The Santos holds a singular place in watch history as the direct ancestor of the modern wristwatch. Alberto Santos-Dumont's partnership with Louis Cartier produced a piece that transcended novelty and defined a category. The 2018 relaunch — with QuickSwitch, a refined case, and in-house movement — restored the Santos to genuine collector relevance after years of being overshadowed by the Tank and Ballon Bleu lines.

Mahomes has previously gravitated toward bolder horological statements, making this Santos sighting particularly notable. At the Met Gala, where watch choices are scrutinized as carefully as couture, choosing a steel Santos at roughly $7,600 retail over a diamond-set statement piece speaks to growing maturity in his collecting sensibility. On the grey market, the WSSA0018 trades close to or slightly above retail, reflecting steady, unspeculative demand — the hallmark of a genuinely wearable classic.