Cartier Santos Medium - QuickSwitch Issues / Play? (2021)

[david3558]

Hi all,

I recently picked up a beautiful Cartier Santos, stainless steel in the medium size from my local Cartier boutique. After getting home, I wanted to enjoy the included leather strap - and proceeded to install it easily - thanks to the QuickSwitch design.

After spending some more time with the watch, I immediately noticed and felt something strange, a bit of play at the bracelet endlinks, specifically where the QuickSwitch link on the steel bracelet meets the 6H position on the case (for those of you that haven't noticed, the endlinks are actually marked 12H and 6H to indicate which position to install the bracelet at).

Wondering if others of you have dealt with this strap/bracelet "wobble" or "play" - as my endlink is able to move in nearly all directions. I have since recorded a video and sent it to my SA at the boutique but wanted to gather some feedback from you all as well. I'll admit I'm pretty annoyed - it's never fun buying a beautiful timepiece and having to return or exchange it...



Side Note: It seems I've heard this watch and the MC 1847 is remarkably precise in its timekeeping; but I have been gaining about 6-10 seconds daily irrespective of how the watch rests when not being worn. While it's not great IMO, it's far less annoying than dealing with a not-flush fit of the bracelet.

[squall1]

Originally Posted by david3558

Hi all,

I recently picked up a beautiful Cartier Santos, stainless steel in the medium size from my local Cartier boutique. After getting home, I wanted to enjoy the included leather strap - and proceeded to install it easily - thanks to the QuickSwitch design.

After spending some more time with the watch, I immediately noticed and felt something strange, a bit of play at the bracelet endlinks, specifically where the QuickSwitch link on the steel bracelet meets the 6H position on the case (for those of you that haven't noticed, the endlinks are actually marked 12H and 6H to indicate which position to install the bracelet at).

Wondering if others of you have dealt with this strap/bracelet "wobble" or "play" - as my endlink is able to move in nearly all directions. I have since recorded a video and sent it to my SA at the boutique but wanted to gather some feedback from you all as well. I'll admit I'm pretty annoyed - it's never fun buying a beautiful timepiece and having to return or exchange it...



Side Note: It seems I've heard this watch and the MC 1847 is remarkably precise in its timekeeping; but I have been gaining about 6-10 seconds daily irrespective of how the watch rests when not being worn. While it's not great IMO, it's far less annoying than dealing with a not-flush fit of the bracelet.

Yeah, that looks a bit funky. Do check the button on the side to see if it popped back out to flush with the bracelet surface...if that makes sense. Sometimes the pin on one side won't fully seat and you need to take it out, get the button reset, and then try again.

Assuming that all looks good, then I'd take it back and try another bracelet...assuming you have no issues like this on the leather?