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Cartier Santos 2960 - 18K Gold Carree

Details

Here's a vintage Cartier Santos Carree reference 2960 in 18K yellow gold with a white roman numeral dial from the late 80s, early 90s. Keeps great time and is fully functional. Received a full overhaul. Measurements include a 29x41mm square case size and 18mm lug width. Integrated bracelet with Gold screws that fit up to an 8 inch wrist (fully linked) Yellow gold bezel. Blue cabochon crown. White dial with blue hands. Matching black roman numerals and minute track. Quickset date function at 3 a clock. The dial is clean from any marks or scratches. Stainless steel case and caseback. Nice unpolished finishing on the case and bracelet. The bracelet and case shimmer, depending on the light. Matching screws on the bezel and bracelet. Drilled lug holes. Makes for a great watch for both men and women. A nice thin profile. Very rare to find these examples in solid gold these days. All the parts are original including the crown, dial, movement, and caseback. Both the dial and case are in great cosmetic, untouched condition.

Ready to wear!

Key Specs
History

In 1904, Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont complained to his friend Louis Cartier that checking a pocket watch while piloting an aircraft was both impractical and dangerous. Cartier's response was to put a clock on Santos-Dumont's wrist — a square-cased watch with a leather strap and visible screws on the bezel, worn on the pilot's wrist where he could read it with both hands on the controls.

The result was the Santos, one of the first purpose-designed men's wristwatches in history. The exposed screws — which Cartier turned into an aesthetic signature rather than hiding — the square case with rounded corners, and the integrated bracelet are elements so well-conceived that they have remained essentially unchanged for 120 years.

References 1564 (Santos Galbee/Santos de Cartier), 2319, 2961 (Santos Carree), and the Santos Octagon all appear in our inventory across stainless, two-tone, and 18-karat yellow gold. Quartz and automatic movements both saw production. These are not derivative pieces — they are the original article, the watch that defined what a wristwatch could be.