Cartier - Edition Santos-Dumont - Sunglasses

These stunning vintage sunglasses are the Cartier "Edition Santos-Dumont" rimmed aviators, which were originally released in 2011 (specifically part of Cartier's Spring/Summer 2011 eyewear collection).

Key Identifying Features:

The Detachable Leather Bridge: The signature black (or brown in other variations) leather nose piece on the double bridge pays tribute to early aviation aesthetics and can be unscrewed or detached.

Santos Screws: The temples and hinges feature the iconic exposed screw heads—a direct design reference to the famous 1904 Santos-Dumont wristwatch, which Louis Cartier created for his pioneer aviator friend, Alberto Santos-Dumont.

Cartier Double "C" Logo: The laser-engraved double "C" logo is visible on the upper corners of the lenses.

Temple Markings: The interior engraving "EDITION SANTOS-DUMONT" alongside the modern "AAB0928" serial number and "CE" marking aligns perfectly with Cartier's contemporary high-end eyewear manufacturing standards from the early 2010s.

Metal Frames & Hardware (Very Good)

Front Frame: The polished gold-plated finish on the front frame and double-bridge looks exceptionally clean with minimal surface wear.

Temples (Arms): The brushed gold-plated temples are in great shape. The engraved Cartier branding on the outer temple is sharp and clear.

Screws & Hinges: The signature black Santos screws are intact, although there is very minor, normal surface wear/frictional marking on the metal around the hinges and the flat-head screws from opening/closing.

Nose Pads: The clear/gold-branded nose pads appear clean with very minor, expected oxidation/slight yellowing typical of vintage silicone/plastic parts.

2. Lenses (Good to Very Good)
Inner Anti-Reflective Coating: The inner side of the lenses shows a strong, vibrant purple/blue anti-reflective (AR) coating.

Lens Edges: There is some minor "peeling" or light degradation visible around the very outer edges of the lenses (where they meet the metal rim). This is highly common for Cartier lenses of this vintage, as moisture and friction can cause the edge tint or coating to slowly wear down over time.

Lens Markings: The Cartier double "C" and "3" markings on the inner-left and inner-right edges remain perfectly legible, crisp, and intact.

Leather Bridge Accent (Excellent)
The black leather nose-bridge piece is in fantastic condition. The leather is not dried out or cracking, and the central gold screw holding it in place is clean with no stripping

Summary

Overall, these sunglasses would be classified as being in Very Good vintage condition. They have been gently used and well-cared for, showing only minor, age-appropriate wear—primarily minor edge wear on the lenses and faint surface micro-scratches on the gold hardware—with no structural damage

Packaging

The Red Outer Box (Excellent / Near Mint)

Structural Integrity: The box is completely solid with absolutely no structural compromises. The corners are sharp, upright, and free of the typical splitting or tearing.

Surface Condition: The iconic textured red paper has a beautiful, vibrant color with no noticeable scuffs, rubbing, or fading. The black interior lining of the box is exceptionally clean.

Logo: The gold-foiled "Cartier" signature is crisp, centered, and reflects the light perfectly.

The Hard Glasses Case (Pristine / Mint)

Surface Finish: The smooth black exterior of this case is in flawless condition. The material is supple and boasts a clean, semi-matte satin sheen.

Stitching & Detailing: The perimeter stitching is perfectly intact and uniform. The subtle gold-imprinted "Cartier" logo on the front flap is sharp and unblemished.

Booklet (Pristine / Mint)

The documentation booklet is in unread, crisp condition. It lies perfectly flat with razor-sharp edges and no creasing, fading, or dog-eared pages.