Vintage Cartier Santos Octagonal 2965 Steel — Automatic (1980s)
Only 1 available
Payment by bank transfer: -3%
Shipping from Europe — taxes and customs duties are the buyer's responsibility outside the EU
Lifetime authenticity guarantee
Serviced movement & 1 year warranty
International shipping
Photo taken on a 17.5 cm wrist
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Cartier Santos Octagonal steel: the sport-chic automatic watch with bezel and screw-down bracelet
This Cartier watch is a Santos Octogonal, reference 2965, one of the most sought-after variations of the legendary Santos line, born in 1904 as one of the first wristwatches in history. Appearing in the late 1970s, the Octogonale reinterprets the design in a geometric and sport-chic spirit. Unisex, it is worn equally well by a man or a woman. Its steel case features a octagonal bezel with exposed screws, an immediately recognizable signature, extended by an integrated bracelet likewise punctuated with screws. It measures 29mm (31mm with the crown) for a Lug-to-lug of 40mm and a thickness of 9mm.
The white dial is of absolute Cartier classicism. Black Roman numerals encircle it, framed by a double railway minute track, with a discreet date window at 3 o'clock and SWISS MADE at the bottom. The blued sword hands stand out elegantly against the light background, while the crown, set with a blue cabochon, signs the maison. It is a dial of remarkable legibility, both dressy and sporty.
Inside beats a Swiss automatic movement based on ETA, with date, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offering approximately 38 hours of power reserve. Reliable and proven, it has the advantage of straightforward maintenance with any watchmaker. The movement of this example was fully serviced by Watchfinder in 2024, a guarantee of proper operation.
On the wrist, the Santos Octogonale asserts its iconic character. The octagonal case, the integrated screw bracelet and the concealed folding clasp form a fully steel ensemble of great coherence, both relaxed and refined. It is one of the rare watches that moves effortlessly from the office to the weekend. The bracelet is sized to approximately 17.5cm; additional links can be ordered to adapt it to a larger wrist.
Three points to note
- The octagonal bezel and the integrated bracelet with exposed screws are the signatures of the Santos Octogonale: an immediately identifiable sport-chic design.
- The dial is a Cartier service dial: authentic Cartier, fitted during servicing, but not the original factory dial. We state this with complete transparency. The same applies to the hands.
- The movement was serviced by Watchfinder in 2024. The steel bracelet shows visible signs of wear, consistent with the age of the piece.
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Technical specifications
- Brand: Cartier
- Model: Santos Octogonale
- Reference: 2965
- Estimated year: 1980s
- Origin: Switzerland
- Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
- Movement: Swiss automatic (ETA-based)
- Frequency: 28,800 vibrations/hour
- Power reserve: Approximately 38 hours
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date at 3 o'clock
- Case : Steel (steel caseback), octagonal shape, bezel with exposed screws
- Dimensions : 29mm (31mm with the crown)
- Corne à corne : 40mm
- Thickness : 9mm (Crystal included)
- Lug width : 18mm
- Crown : Steel with blue cabochon, original
- Dial : White, black Roman numerals, railroad track, date at 3 o'clock, Cartier service dial
- Hands : Blued glaive hands, Cartier service hands
- Crystal : Sapphire, very fine condition (9/10)
- Bracelet : Integrated steel bracelet with screws, original, fitted to ~17.5cm, additional links available on request
- Buckle : Steel folding clasp, original
Condition and warranty
- Overall condition : Very fine state of preservation. Case clean steel case, immaculate white dial, Crystal sapphire in very fine condition. The dial is a Cartier service dial. The steel bracelet shows visible signs of wear, consistent with the age of the piece.
- Water resistance : Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
- Authenticity : Lifetime guarantee
- Movement : Automatic movement serviced by Watchfinder in 2024, 1-year warranty
- Included : Atelier Victor invoice, protective case
- Not included : Original papers, original box
Frequently asked questions
What is the Cartier Santos Octagonal?
The Santos Octagonal, or Santos Octagon, is a variation of the famous Santos line by Cartier, which appeared in the late 1970s. It stands out for its octagonal case and bezel with exposed screws, in a geometric sport-chic spirit, and for its integrated bracelet. Reference 2965, in steel and with automatic movement, is one of the most sought-after versions.
What is a Cartier service dial?
It is an authentic Cartier dial, fitted by the maison during servicing, replacing the original factory dial. It is therefore perfectly Cartier, but it is not the dial mounted when it left the factory. We state this with complete transparency: it is a point that discerning collectors appreciate knowing, and which explains part of the piece's positioning.
Which movement powers this Santos 2965?
A Swiss base ETA automatic movement, with date, beating at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offering a power reserve of around 38 hours. Reliable and proven, it offers the advantage of accessible servicing. It was fully serviced by Watchfinder in 2024 and comes with a 1-year warranty.
Is the watch delivered with its box and papers?
This Santos is delivered without its original box and without the original papers. It is accompanied by the Atelier Victor invoice and a protective case.
Is this watch water-resistant?
This is a vintage watch: although the Santos was designed with a certain degree of water resistance, water resistance can no longer be guaranteed today without renewing the gaskets. We recommend avoiding any contact with water without prior servicing.
Mechanical warranty — 1 year
Each watch is inspected by our watchmakers before shipping. In case of a mechanism malfunction during the first year, we cover the repair.
Authenticity warranty — lifetime
If a watch turns out to be non-authentic, we will take it back and refund you in full. Without time limit.
What is not covered
- Exposure to water or humidity
- Shocks, impacts, or vibrations
- Consumable parts (strap, Crystal, crown, pushers)
- Battery replacement (quartz movements)
- Opening or disassembly of the watch by a third party
- Improper use
The accuracy of vintage watches varies according to the model, movement, and year of production. A request for accuracy improvement deemed within acceptable tolerances cannot be covered by the warranty.
Shipping fees
After-sales service is free. Shipping fees outside the United Arab Emirates remain the responsibility of the customer.
Authentication Process
Each watch is examined by our partner watchmakers before being offered for sale: verification of authenticity, checking the conformity of the components, identification of any modification or replacement of original parts.
If any element has been replaced during the life of the watch (dial, hands, crown, Crystal, strap), we systematically indicate it in the product sheet. You buy knowing the exact history of your piece.
Certificate of Authenticity
Your Atelier Victor invoice serves as a certificate of authenticity: it attests to the origin and conformity of the piece, and is covered by our lifetime authenticity guarantee — if a piece sold by Atelier Victor were found to be non-authentic, it would be fully refunded, with no time limit.
We accept several payment methods:
- Bank card (Visa, Mastercard — American Express not accepted)
- Bank transfer (AED, EUR, USD)
- Cryptocurrency (USDT, USDC)
- PayPal
Other currencies accepted upon request. Exchange fees of approximately 3% may apply.
A 3% discount is granted for any payment by bank transfer starting from €1,000.
Does the strap not suit you? Add the strap of your choice to your order: we will fit it to your watch before shipment, at no fitting charge.
International Shipping
Shipped within 48 to 72 business hours by DHL Express or an equivalent carrier depending on the destination. Delivery in 2 to 6 business days. Each shipment is insured and delivered against signature.
- Free delivery from €1,000 of purchase, as well as on the Jewelry Atelier Victor
- Tracking number sent as soon as the shipment is dispatched
- For certain destinations, delivery may be made to a secure collection point in order to guarantee the integrity of the shipment
Pickup in Dubai
Hand delivery by appointment in Downtown, Dubai. Make an appointment.
Taxes and Customs
The shipping origin is indicated on each product sheet. If the delivery country differs from the shipping country, customs duties and taxes may apply upon receipt, at the buyer's expense. In exceptional situations, customs checks may extend the delivery time, regardless of our wishes and those of the carrier.
For full details, please consult our shipping policy.
FINAL SALES
All sales are final: no return, exchange, or cancellation is accepted after order confirmation. Each piece is authenticated, inspected, and described in detail before being offered for sale.
BEFORE PURCHASE
Our advisors remain at your disposal for any questions and can send you additional photographs or videos upon simple request, by email or on WhatsApp.
NON-CONFORMING ITEM
In the exceptional case of an item that does not match its listing, please notify us within 72 hours: it will be eligible for a refund or an exchange. If the parcel shows damage upon delivery, it should be refused or its opening filmed continuously.
For full details, please consult our return policy.
A piece selected by Atelier Victor
Authenticated, checked, and photographed by us. As all sales are final, our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos or a video of the piece in hand — so that your choice can be made with complete peace of mind.
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