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Actor Kenan Thompson spotted wearing Cartier

At the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards, Kenan Thompson — longest-tenured cast member in Saturday Night Live history — stepped onto the carpet in a clean black tuxedo anchored by one of Cartier's most historically significant references: the Santos de Cartier Large in full 18k yellow gold. The piece is unmistakable, its signature exposed octagonal screws on the bezel and integrated bracelet catching the room's light with the kind of warmth only solid gold can produce.

The Santos de Cartier Large in yellow gold, reference WGSA0010, measures 39.8mm × 47.5mm — a commanding presence on the wrist without crossing into oversized territory. It runs on Cartier's in-house Caliber 1847 MC, a self-winding movement with a 40-hour power reserve, beating at 28,800 vph. The silver grained dial features Roman numerals in the classic Cartier typeface, blued steel sword-shaped hands, and the characteristic sapphire cabochon crown. The integrated brushed-and-polished yellow gold bracelet deploys Cartier's clever QuickSwitch system, allowing strap swaps without tools — a nod to modern usability dressed in Art Deco clothing.

The Santos lineage traces directly to Louis Cartier's 1904 commission, making it arguably the most historically significant wristwatch in existence. The 2018 redesign that produced this current generation refined the proportions, introduced the dual-finish bracelet treatment, and upgraded the movement — all while preserving the architectural geometry that has defined the model for over a century. Among collectors, the full gold Santos occupies a comfortable space: it is a genuine luxury object with provenance that no modern competitor can replicate, yet it remains below the conversation-piece threshold of a Royal Oak or Nautilus in precious metal.

Kenan Thompson's watch choice is consistent with the Santos's natural habitat — formal occasions where understated credibility matters more than horological one-upmanship. Thompson, who has been an SNL fixture since 2003, has earned the kind of career longevity that pairs naturally with a watch rooted in more than a century of unbroken production.

At retail, the Cartier Santos de Cartier Large WGSA0010 lists at approximately $38,550 USD. On the secondary market, strong demand for full precious-metal Cartier sports references has pushed grey-market values modestly above retail, reflecting both the metal content and the brand's renewed collector momentum.