Actor Nicolas Duvauchelle spotted wearing a Cartier

French actor Nicolas Duvauchelle was photographed courtside at Roland-Garros wearing a Cartier Santos de Cartier on its full stainless steel integrated bracelet — a quietly confident choice that sits comfortably at the intersection of sportswear and fine watchmaking. The setting, a clay-court tennis tournament long associated with French elegance, was an apt backdrop for one of Cartier's most historically significant references.

The Santos de Cartier Large reference WSSA0018 is built around a 39.8mm stainless steel case with the model's signature squared bezel, eight exposed polished screws, and alternating brushed and polished surfaces throughout. The white silvered dial features bold Roman numerals, a railroad track chapter ring, and blued-steel sword hands — all hallmarks of the Santos DNA unchanged since Louis Cartier's 1904 commission for Alberto Santos-Dumont, who needed a watch he could read without removing his hands from the controls of his aircraft. The movement inside is the Manufacture Calibre 1847 MC, a self-winding mechanism with a 42-hour power reserve, developed in-house and beating at 28,800 vph.

The 2018 relaunch of the Santos was a milestone for Cartier: the brand introduced the QuickSwitch interchangeable strap system and SmartLink bracelet adjustment mechanism, allowing the wearer to resize the bracelet or switch to a rubber or leather strap without tools in seconds. This modernized the proposition considerably, making it relevant to a broader, younger audience without compromising the archival aesthetic.

For collectors, the Santos Large in full steel occupies a respected position — it is neither a safe, anonymous choice nor an ostentatious one. It signals genuine engagement with watch history rather than mere status signaling. Among French cultural figures, Cartier carries particular weight as a maison profoundly woven into the country's luxury heritage.

Duvauchelle, known for psychologically complex roles in films such as Les Revenants and À perdre la raison, pairs the Santos with Lacoste sportswear — effortlessly blending French codes. At a retail price of approximately $7,250 USD, the WSSA0018 trades on the grey market at or near retail, reflecting stable but healthy demand.