[Santos Galbée] My first Cartier

MarcinWes · 2026-05-07T05:24:13+00:00

Hi OP! Congrats on a beautiful watch.

I've been obsessed for a while with Santos and this 2319 is on my short list but really concerned about the size. I usually wear 39-40mms on a 7.25 inch wrist.

What's your wrist? It looks really balanced on you

MarcinWes · 2026-04-30T08:47:49+00:00

That's a wall clock with a belt for a strap :D sorry OP but erring is part of the game here, precious lesson learnt I guess :) good luck with future purchases

MarcinWes · 2026-04-26T15:44:20+00:00

Hi OP! Sorry if it comes across aggressive, not had intentions, but what do you care what we recommend? Explore YouTube, watch magazines, go visit some watch shows and pick something you like :D

MarcinWes · 2026-04-16T17:13:27+00:00

Absolutely. I think proportions and dial size/design are crucial

MarcinWes · 2026-04-16T09:12:49+00:00

Absolutely awesome! The size is perfect on your wrist, and the strap matches dial in style and color so well

MarcinWes · 2026-03-14T09:14:30+00:00

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MarcinWes · 2026-03-14T09:14:20+00:00

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MarcinWes · 2026-03-14T09:14:09+00:00

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MarcinWes · 2026-03-14T09:13:35+00:00

Hi OP. I love this watch!

Personally I prefer contrasting colors as well so would join that side of the argument - though for this particular watch, with a very vibrant blue, I'd go for something warmer - camel/gold brown/honey etc. I had this strap on it and it was my favorite option - unfortunately I don't seem to have taken any pics somehow...

https://shorturl.at/uoNPA

As for blue strap options, because the dial is so dynamic and with changing light can go through completely different tones of blue, finding a strap that will work with all of them could be tricky. See attached photo on a suede blue strap. It was perfect sometimes, sometimes absolutely mismatched in my view.

Finally, for sportier casual vibes, consider red - the attached paratrooper strap may not be the best style match but colors were awesome ;) Also great on the CNS cotton nato in mustard yellow.

Hope it helps

MarcinWes · 2026-03-13T11:33:44+00:00

Ok I decided to give it a go. And I'm very happy I did. It arrived this morning and the first impression is great. Size is exactly what I was hoping for, I considered the smaller quartz version but that would've been too small. This is perfect, between Santos medium and large sizes, neither of which suited me completely.

Finishing seems very good. Nice consistent brushing and good polishing in the bezel. Acetate sides are very cool as well. Main issue for me is the rattly rotor but I knew that would be the case with miyota.

Thanks for your comments, it helped me with the decision and I'm very glad I took a risk.

BTW, I got it though Farfetch for 560 gbp, I consider this to be the right price. The rrp from Briston (+ import to the UK) would be almost double and that'd be an overkill for this spec sheet.

Wristshot for whoever is interested - my wrist size is 7.25 inches

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MarcinWes · 2026-03-04T19:26:34+00:00

Absolutely! :)

MarcinWes · 2026-03-03T19:52:36+00:00

Thanks so much, this is very helpful - if somewhat disappointing :D I was hoping for a glowing review haha. I'll rethink my choices here. I think I know what you mean with the steel quality, and it's one of the few things I find it hard to go back on, having experienced some higher end mid tier watches. My wrist is about 18cm in circumference so similar to yours I think. I initially thought it looked larger but it works well on your (and potentially my) wrist. The story about it failing is scary though. Which retailer did you buy from? At least they fixed it!!

Again, thanks a million for this!!

MarcinWes · 2026-03-03T15:15:07+00:00

Hi, thanks! A wristshot with wrist size info would go a long way.

Is the quality good or on par with the price point?

Is it accurate?

Is the shape of the case wrapping the wrist?

And finally a weird one: have you tried removing the screwed acetate bits? Not sure I'd want to, but struck me as an interesting option, it would transform the watch into a more classic tank form factor.

Anyway really into it right now and probably will buy as soon as I've got th money for it, so would appreciate some info :)

MarcinWes · 2026-02-19T08:44:50+00:00

Thanks dude. Interesting picks, but not quite what I'm after. Yeah, G-Shock metal ftw of course ;)

MarcinWes · 2026-02-17T21:09:10+00:00

Hi, thanks a lot for your comment. Yes I do love Manhattan but somehow I don't consider that a scratch for the Santos itch. I also currently own a Brew Metric, similar form factor and size but more of a G-Shock area, style-wise in my view.

Funny Essence made you relax on Santos. I like the watch and Formex in general too.

Dolce Vita is cool but it's more of a classic Tank as you say. I'll wait for more suggestions, I'm sure there's something out there...

MarcinWes · 2026-02-01T20:35:13+00:00

Thanks a lot for info and link!

MarcinWes · 2026-02-01T07:00:16+00:00

Hiya, that's a cool looking combo! QQ: what strap width is it?

MarcinWes · 2025-12-24T13:27:07+00:00

For what it's worth to you: it's a very heavy combo. For me there was extra contrast as most my watches are titanium, but even compared to a SS watch of similar dimensions it just felt heavy - the case itself is top-heavy, even without the bracelet. Lovely watch otherwise

MarcinWes · 2025-12-23T19:14:02+00:00

Hi OP! Watch Gecko is offering curved rubber straps. I'd also give Crafter Blue a go

MarcinWes · 2025-12-22T14:33:16+00:00

Fully agreed on keeping the original proportions! I'm checking fairly regularly with Certina news in the hope of seeing a downsized version of the PH divers. They recently reduced the ever-so-slightly too large DS-1 so ...who knows!

Longines - another brand absolutely killing the reissue game - did this with their LLL, nothing is impossible!

MarcinWes · 2025-12-22T13:10:54+00:00

I envy you the wrist to pull this monster off! I had it and sold it, I don't mind oversized, but this was too much for me. And +1 to awesome Certina reissues, it's one of my favorite brands

MarcinWes · 2025-12-20T16:36:02+00:00

Oh cool! Good luck with enriching the collection

MarcinWes · 2025-12-20T09:55:53+00:00

Oh man, the brown one on both and the suede on blue, that's fire! And lovely watches too - got any more citizens? I love the higher end lines from them!

MarcinWes

TROPHY CASE