Cartier Santos Octagon 2965 'Slate Grey / Ghost Dial'

The Cartier Santos was designed in 1904 by Louis Cartier for his close friend, Alberto Santos Dumont, a Brazilian aviation pioneer. At the time, most watches, especially pocket watches, were round in shape. However, the Cartier Santos broke with this tradition through a bolder design: a square case with screws in the bezel. Approximately 70 years later, these two design features would be combined by Gerald Genta in the iconic Royal Oak.

For watch enthusiasts, the name Gerald Genta is undoubtedly familiar. Genta, a legendary Swiss watchmaker from the 20th century, was not only a jeweller but also an art lover. He is associated with some of the most successful watches of all time, such as the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus. The most recognisable feature of his designs is the octagonal bezel with exposed screws.

In the 1990s, Cartier revised the Santos model and introduced a new version with an octagonal case and matching bezel with screws. This was presumably a nod to the Royal Oak. The Cartier Santos Octagon was produced in two versions: full steel and, as in this beautiful example, a gold/steel combination.

This gold/steel Santos Octagon 2965 has a unique feature that we are particularly excited about: the so-called matte grey 'ghost' dial without hour markers. When viewed from different angles, the ghost dial shifts from light grey to dark grey, with the Cartier text sometimes subtly disappearing. A true eye-catcher! Thanks to the slim 29 mm case, this watch is perfectly suited for both men and women. The gold/steel Cartier bracelet, which shows no stretch despite its age, features the signature Cartier logo on the clasp, giving the watch the feel of a stunning piece of jewellery. The case of this vintage Cartier Santos Octagon 2965 with grey ghost dial is in excellent condition, with minor signs of wear that are far from distracting. We have chosen to preserve the watch in as original a state as possible, ensuring that all the sharp lines and curves remain well intact. The automatic movement has been serviced and comes with a one-year warranty from 10 over 10.

What you need to know:
- Reference 2965
- Slate grey/ghost dial
- Yellow gold hands and blue cabochon crown
- Gold and steel Cartier bracelet with no stretch and logo on the clasp
- 29 mm case, perfect for both men and women
- Serviced movement
- 1-year warranty
- Free insured shipping within the EU

Cartier

In 1847, Louis-François Cartier took over the jewelry workshop from his master. Over the years, his sons and grandsons inherited the family business, opening stores in London and New York. In 1904, King Edward VII of the United Kingdom even named Cartier "the jeweler of kings and the king of jewelers." Cartier became so popular that royal warrants were received from all over the world.

Cartier is primarily known for its jewelry but also has a very rich history in watchmaking. In 1888, Cartier began making women's wristwatches. At that time, it was more common for men to wear traditional pocket watches. In 1904, Louis Cartier gave a wristwatch to his good Brazilian friend, aviation pioneer Santos-Dumont, who complained about the impracticality of using a pocket watch while flying. The Cartier Santos-Dumont was not only the first men's wristwatch but also the first true pilot's watch.

The case of the Santos was seemingly inspired by a square pocket watch that Cartier had made. The design of the dial heralded a shift towards the Art Deco style that would define the 1920s and 1930s. To this day, Cartier's design is influenced by this. The case was designed to be robust, and the screws holding the glass were meant to resemble the legs of the new Eiffel Tower. The black Roman numerals also suggest the radial design of the streets and broad boulevards of Paris.