Visual Description
The Ref. 187903 is the small Santos Ronde in steel and gold. The round stainless steel case measures 24 mm in Bukowskis' and Vermot & Associés' catalogs and 25 mm at Auktionshaus Stahl. Its bezel is octagonal in 18k yellow gold and screws down, and so does the back. Vermot & Associés describes a fluted crown set with a blue stone.
The dial is cream, with black painted Roman numerals, a minute track, center seconds and a date window at 3 o'clock. The hands are blued steel. The integrated bracelet is steel with gold screws and closes with a folding clasp.
Reference Significance
The 187903 is the ladies' size of the quartz Santos Ronde in steel and gold. The Ref. 81913 is the same idea at 27 mm, and the Ref. 1910 is the 33 mm automatic.
Its number often travels as the first six digits of the case number, followed by a serial, as in Bukowskis' 187903 / 23025. Some catalogs print another number as the reference and keep 187903 for the case number, which is why a listing's reference line is worth checking against the case back.
Historical Context
The 187903 is a quartz Santos Ronde. Bukowskis dates an example to circa 1990; no source found dates the first or last one made, so the page gives that single date.
The movement is a Cartier quartz caliber. Bukowskis catalogs the Cal. 687, and the other catalogs say only quartz.
What to Look For
Case number: It should begin 187903. A number beginning 81913 is the larger 27 mm reference.
Bezel: The screws should all be present, with matching heads and undamaged slots. Check the gold for wear and heavy polishing.
Bracelet: Look for stretch and replaced links, and make sure the folding clasp closes firmly.
Movement and dial: The quartz should run and keep time; Auktionshaus Stahl sold one that was not running. The cream dial should be evenly colored, with crisp numerals.
