Click here to contact me and make this super cool Cartier Santos Carrée yours today!
On offer is this classic Cartier Santos Carrée ref. 2961 in steel and 18k yellow gold with original stunning and quite rare Gray “Ghost” dial in beautiful original condition. This Santos Carrée looks to me to be unpolished — or possibly detailed by Cartier at some point — because the very factory-quality matching vertical brushing on the top of the steel case and the solid gold bezel is still present, which is unique to the burgundy and gray dial examples of Carrée 2961, and the sides also appear to retain their original satined finish. The vast majority of these have been polished to a high gloss through the years so, finding one with a correct factory finish is a pretty huge coup, especially since it is a key characteristic of the colored dials.
Obviously, the highlight of this Carrée it’s absolutely stunning original matte gray “Ghost” dial with beveled date window at “3” that changes color depending upon the angle and the light, with the gold Cartier signature playing hide and seek accordingly. This rare dial is in Mint condition and the SWISS-only marking below “6” indicates original 1980s issue and not a later SWISS MADE service replacement. These slate gray 296x dials are really quite beautiful in an understated way, giving the whole watch a very unified “all-metal” look and they are certainly several factors more rare than the standard Roman numeral dials of the period.
Although it is a true midsize watch, the references 2961 and 2960 are the largest version of Carrée models and they measure 29mm (more like 32mm including the crown & guards) x 41mm for a very ergonomic and well proportioned fit on just about any man or woman. It’s also powered by a high quality automatic movement rather than a quartz, with hacking seconds and quickset date.
Overall, this wonderful Cartier is in Excellent vintage condition and likely dates to circa 1980 based on the bracelet style and caseback nomenclature. The semi-integrated bracelet with its trademark gold screws is super tight, as is the Gen. 1 clasp. It is also quite long at around 7.5” diameter, what I can only imagine is the original full length. To put the cherry on top of this Cartier sundae, I’ve just had this Santos Carrée fully overhauled by an excellent independent watchmaker and so it will come with a 6-month movement warranty, as well as service records.
So, go ahead and put this eternally stylish ’80s midsize stunner on your wrist today!
