Up for sale 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. Although it is a true midsize watch, the reference 2961 is the largest version of Carrée models and measures 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. This Santos Carrée looks to me to be only previously lightly detailed — likely by Cartier themselves 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, The sides also have a factory-quality 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 nice coup, especially since it is a key characteristic of the colored dials.

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.

This lovely, fully serviced Cartier Santos Carrée 2961 with fantastic Ghost Gray dial is now offered at the special REDUCED Memorial Day Sale price of $6,975 USD OBRO, which includes fully insured domestic US shipping. International shipping will be +$100 due to increased costs. Bank Wire/direct transfer greatly preferred on this watch. Other forms of payment upon application. Payment must be made in US DOLLARS. Watch will ship upon full clearance of the funds, as well as any necessary bank vetting. Feel free to contact me via DM or at [email protected] or [email protected].













CASE & BACK: This fantastically designed Santos Carrée features a screwed, water resistant steel case with solid gold bezel that measures 29mm wide (more like 32mm when including the crown & crown guards) x 41mm long to the cool, sweeping “horned” lug tips. The case & bezel show factory-style brushed satin finishes, which is unique to the color dial versions of 296x. This is also quite uncommon, as most of these examples have been polished to a high gloss finish like their Roman numeral-dial counterparts. This early 1980s Carrée is in Excellent pre-owned condition, with no major dings and just a few marks/scratches from wear. The back has very crisp Cartier nomenclature but the engraved model and serial number have worn down quite a lot and are very hard to make out, which sometimes happens on these due to wear and the variability of the depth of the engraving. Also note that despite having a full rotor automatic movement inside, the case is still delightfully thin due to the very clever and compact construction at just 9mm thick back to bezel. The Carrée is such a lovely design and so well proportioned that it wears beautifully on just about any size wrist and the interplay of satined surfaces and the archetypal curved & flowing Santos case is really quite special.

DIAL & HANDS: 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. The petite gold epée hour & minute hands and sweep seconds show just a touch of corrosion, and so are more like Excellent. 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.

CROWN: Classic Near Mint Cartier seven-sided steel crown with blue sapphire spinel fits snugly against the case, winds the movement and pulls out to the quickset date and time setting positions exactly as designed.

MOVEMENT: Under the hood, this Santos Carrée features the automatic winding Cartier caliber 77 (ETA 2671-based) in great running condition. This watch was just fully serviced by The Millbrook Watch Shop (formerly Chelsea Watch Shop). Therefore, all functions operate as they should, including timekeeping, power reserve, hacking seconds and quickset date. The watch will come with a pdf or hard copy (buyer's choice) of the service details & receipt, and it is guaranteed for 6-months of normal, non-abusive use from the time of sale.

CRYSTAL: The flat mineral crystal has some very minor marks from the years, Excellent condition.

BRACELET: This great Carrée comes on its original semi-integrated first generation bracelet with trademark gold screws set into rectangular satined steel links and Cartier-signed logo clasp. This bracelet is both super tight, as is the snap-in clasp, and super long, presently fitting a 7.5” wrist at what I feel must be its full original length. You can tell it’s first generation by the wide clasp closure and the push pin released, slide-in links. Cosmetically, this beautifully crafted bracelet is in Excellent+ unpolished condition with only minor marks from wear.

As a matter of policy, I make NO guarantees for the water resistance of this watch in any way, shape or form

This guaranteed 100% authentic vintage Cartier is offered with a 3-day inspection period from the date of receipt and may be returned for a full refund (less any shipping costs incurred by the buyer). This refund is unconditional and once I get the watch back in exactly the same condition as it was sent to you, your money will be refunded. Of course, once the 3 days are over the sale will be considered FINAL.

Thanks for looking,
T.
[email protected]