Cartier Santos Octagon 2966

Cartier Santos Octogonale, ref. 2966, circa 1990s

Cartier has experienced a recent surge in interest from collectors and first-time watch owners, thanks to its incredibly rich history and universally admired aesthetics. The Santos Octogonale ref. 2966 has become a great watch for anyone looking to enter the vintage Cartier world without breaking the bank. 01 / Brand Cartier 02 / Year Circa 1990s 03 / Serial 296661xxx 04 / Reference 2966 05 / Material Yellow gold & steel 06 / Size 30mm about the watch In the early 20th century, Louis Cartier introduced a bold geometric style at the company his grandfather founded half a century earlier. The iconic Cartier Santos, designed in 1904 by Louis Cartier for his friend, Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont, marked a contrast from the round, fluid designs of preceding pocket watches and many wristwatches that followed. The Santos featured a strong, utilitarian aesthetic with a square case and visible screws on the bezel, elements reintroduced nearly 70 years later by Gerald Genta in the Royal Oak. In the 1990s, Cartier reimagined the Santos with an octagonal case and matching bezel, possibly as a nod to the Royal Oak. This specific piece is the two-tone version, made from steel and 18k yellow gold. The eight-sided case measures 30 mm wide (excluding the crown) but wears larger due to its integrated bracelet, making it suitable for both women and men. The distinctive 'screwed' Santos bracelet with rectangular links wears like a beautiful piece of jewelry. The deeply engraved interlocking “C” Cartier logo on the bracelet clasp is a particularly attractive detail. The watch is in excellent overall condition, with both the case and bracelet well-preserved. The dial is immaculate, and does not have any "spidering" which are cracks of the dial, often seen in Cartier watches of this era. This watch is fully original and sold without box or papers. It is an excellent choice for those new to vintage Cartier or for those looking to complement an existing collection.