COMMENT
Introduced in 1978, the Santos line was offered in three forms—square, octagonal, and round. This example is the representative two-tone Santos Ref. 2961. The dial is rendered in a porcelain tone, paired with Cartier’s iconic Roman numerals, chemin de fer minute track, and blued steel baton hands. It is powered by the automatic Cal. 2671. The bracelet is the automatic-specific Godron bracelet, distinguished by its sculpted, rhythmic links.
The case shows signs of wear yet retains its original proportions. The white dial—often prone to cracking in this model—remains in mint, no-crack condition. The blued steel hands show no noticeable aging and preserve their deep, rich tone. Fully serviced by our watchmaker.
The flat-cut bracelet catches the light with a refined brilliance, evoking the presence of a finely crafted bangle. Automatic LM-size Santos models have become increasingly difficult to source in recent years, adding to their desirability. Combined with the Godron bracelet, this piece carries both elegance and historical character in equal measure.
BRAND
The exposed screws on the bezel of the Santos draw inspiration from the rivets used in aircraft construction, while the softened angles of the case evoke the form of an aircraft fuselage. The model was born from a request made in 1904 by the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont to Cartier for a watch readable during flight without removing his hands from the controls. Released to the public in 1911, the Santos remains one of Cartier’s most enduring and iconic creations.
