Cartier Santos 100 Squelette - Same Leopard, Different Spots.

In the next few weeks, a few dozen of the worlds most luxurious watchmakers and their invited guests will converge on Geneva, Switzerland for the SIHH. At the 2009 edition of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie, Cartier will be unveiling it's latest Limited Edition timepiece - the Cartier Haute Horlogerie Santos 100 Squelette. (Squelette being French for skeleton - for obvious reasons.)

Cartier craftsmen designed a watch that showcases an open-worked movement in a 46.5mm Santos 100 case, with beveled bridges that also serve as a transparent Roman numeral dial. A sapphire crystal and exhibition case back allow you to view the finely carved Cartier caliber 9611MC movement as if it were floating with blued steel hands marking the passing minutes and hours.

Each movement is individually numbered. The Cartier Haute Horlogerie Santos 100 Squelette displays a subtle brushed finish contrasted by polished surfaces on the case edges and screw-decorated Santos bezel. The faceted palladium crown is set with a sapphire cabochon. An alligator leather strap completes this fine timepiece.

We will have to wait for SIHH for pricing and availability, but it's only a few weeks away. We can all wait that long, right??