Vintage Cartier Santos Square 2960 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 Steel Carrée: the sport-chic automatic watch with square case and screw bezel
This Cartier watch is a Santos Carrée, reference 2960, in its large model. It is one of the purest expressions of the legendary Santos line, born in 1904 as one of the very first wristwatches in history, created by Louis Cartier for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. Unisex, it can be worn equally well by a man or a woman. Its square case with straight sides is framed by a bezel with exposed screws, an instantly recognizable signature, extended by an integrated bracelet also punctuated with screws. The steel case measures 29mm wide (32mm with the crown) for a Lug-to-lug of 40.6mm and a thickness of 8.8mm.
The cream dial is of absolute Cartier classicism. Black Roman numerals encircle it, framed by a minute track, with a discreet date window at 3 o'clock and the SWISS mention at the base. A secret signature Cartier is concealed within the Romans, an authentication mark unique to the maison. The blue sword hands stand out elegantly against the light background, while the crown, topped with a blue cabochon, completes the ensemble.
Inside beats a Swiss automatic movement with date, rotor-wound. Reliable and proven, it offers the advantage of accessible maintenance. The movement of this piece has been serviced by our watchmaker. It is a watch designed for daily wear, winding itself with the motion of the wrist.
On the wrist, the Santos Carrée asserts its iconic character. The square case, screw bezel and integrated bracelet form a fully steel ensemble of great coherence, both relaxed and refined. It is one of those rare watches that move effortlessly from the office to the weekend. The bracelet is adjusted to approximately 17-17.5cm; additional links can be ordered to adapt it to a larger wrist.
Three points to note
- The Santos Carrée, with its bezel and bracelet featuring exposed screws, is one of the most iconic designs in watchmaking: a piece of history born in 1904.
- The case has been polished over the course of its life, which makes the serial number difficult to read. We mention this with complete transparency: this is common on Cartier that have undergone servicing.
- The bezel and steel bracelet show visible signs of wear, consistent with the age of the piece.
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Technical specifications
- Brand: Cartier
- Model: Santos Carrée, large model
- Reference: 2960
- Serial number: Difficult to read (worn engraving)
- Estimated year: 1980s
- Origin: Switzerland
- Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
- Movement: Swiss automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date at 3 o'clock
- Case: Steel (steel caseback), carrée shape, bezel with exposed screws
- Dimensions: 29mm wide (32mm with the crown)
- End-to-end lug width: 40.6mm
- Thickness: 8.8mm
- Lug width: 17mm
- Crown: Blue cabochon steel, original
- Dial: Cream, black Roman numerals, railway track, secret signature, date at 3 o'clock, original
- Hands: Blue steel sword hands, original
- Crystal: Sapphire, very good condition (9/10)
- Bracelet: Integrated screw-in steel bracelet, original, adjusted to ~17-17.5cm, extra links on request
- Buckle: Steel folding clasp, original
Condition and warranty
- Overall condition: Very fine state of preservation. The case has been polished during its lifetime, and the engraved serial number is therefore difficult to read. Crisp, legible cream dial. The bezel and steel bracelet show visible signs of use scratches, consistent with the age of the piece.
- Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
- Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
- Mechanism: Serviced automatic movement, one-year warranty
- Included: Atelier Victor invoice Atelier Victor, protective case
- Not included: Original box and papers
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Cartier Santos Carrée?
The Santos is one of the oldest wristwatches in history, created in 1904 by Louis Cartier for the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to read the time without letting go of the controls. Its square case with screwed bezel made it an icon of watch design. The so-called “Carrée” version, with straight sides, is the closest to the original spirit. Reference 2960, in steel and automatic, is the major model.
Has the case been polished?
Yes. The case has been polished during the life of the watch, which is common on Cartier that have been serviced. One consequence of this polishing is that the engraved serial number is now difficult to read. We prefer to state this clearly: it does not affect timekeeping or operation, but a collector exacting about geometry and strictly original engravings should know this before buying. The dial, however, is original.
What movement powers this Santos 2960?
A Swiss automatic movement with date, self-winding by rotor. Reliable and proven, it winds itself with the motion of the wrist and offers the advantage of accessible maintenance. The movement in this piece has been serviced by our watchmaker and is guaranteed for 1 year.
What is the Cartier secret signature?
Cartier conceals the house name within one of the Roman numerals on its dials, in lowercase characters. It is an original, discreet detail that contributes to the authentication of the piece and bears witness to the care devoted to its manufacture.
Is this watch water-resistant?
It 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 replacing the seals. 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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