Here we have a 1980s Cartier Santos Octagonal with the 25mm two-tone stainless steel and 18ct gold case. It has the Octagonal bezel which is formed of 18ct gold with the classic stainless screws. The case measures 25mm wide and has the brushed finish with polished bevels. To the right is the classic crown guard with the original crown with the Heptagonal crown with facetted sapphire insert. It has the white dial which has aged to a cream tone, with the spidered/crazed ageing. It has the black railroad track with the bold Roman numerals with the ‘Cartier’ name below 12. The thermally blued hands catch the eye and have the central second hand. The solid case back is signed with the Cartier name and ‘AC 9,80 gr’ with the ‘Automatique’ signing. The bracelet is the two-tone design with the gold screw heads. It has the fold over clasp with the twin C’s motif. Inside is the ETA 2671 automatic movement which has the Cartier inc signing to the rotor. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time. It comes as watch only with no box or paperwork.
The dial was originally white and has aged to a cream tone. It has the spidered/crazed pattern which has developed with age. To the exterior is the railroad minute/second track with the sector layout. It has the bold roman numerals with the 7 o’clock marker having the hidden Cartier signing. The centre of the dial is differentiated by the inner circle with the ‘Cartier’ signing below 12. It has the ‘Swiss signing below 6 at the base of the dial. The hands are thermally blued and of sword style. The central second hand has the tapered design. They catch the light nicely and reflect the electric blue tone.
The case is neatly proportioned, measuring 25mm wide, with a total width of 26.75mm wide with the crown. It has a lug-to-lug length of 33mm with a slim depth of 8mm. The bracelet has a width of 12mm. It is originally designed for a ladies wrist.
The classic hallmark of the 1980s Cartier Santos is the eye-catching 18ct yellow gold bezel. On this model it is Octagonal and has the polished finish. The steel screws dovetail nicely providing the start of the two-tone finish.
The case is of monocoque design with the solid back. There are four screws to the rear which pair with the bezel screws to pull the case together. The sapphire crystal is set flat with the bezel and anchors underneath to provide a tight seal.
The top of the case has the brushed finishing with the polished bevel to the edges. The lugs have the rounded tips with the drilled holes to the sides for ease of spring bar removal. To the right-hand side is the crown guard with the classic Heptagonal crown in-between. It is set with the facetted sapphire which is a deep blue.
The case back has the brushed finish to the face with the polished surround. It is signed with the ‘Cartier’ name to the top and ‘AC 9,80 gr OR 0,750 2,30 gr, Automatique’. Below the original serial number is still visible.
The movement is the ETA 2671 automatic movement which has the Cartier inc signing to the rotor. It has a jewel count of 17 and is shock proof.
It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time to within 5 seconds variation per day.
The bracelet has the flat links with the bevelled top and bottom which provide a perfect canvas which interacts beautifully with the light. They have the brushed finish with the polished gold screw accents. The clasp has the oval cut out to the centre with the twin C’s Cartier logo in the gold tone. It is a deployment clasp which snaps securely in place. It is signed to the inside of the deployment section with the Cartier name. It is well sized for a ladies wrist and will fit up to a 17.75cm circumference.
The watch is modelled on a 17.75cm wrist circumference.
Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
A further condition report is below.
Dial:
The dial is in aged condition. It has the even cream tone with the crazing to the surface. The print is clear and unworn. There is on small mark at the 6 o’clock marker.
Hands:
The hands are original and of sword style and are in good condition with the bright thermally blued tone.
Glass:
The crystal is the original Sapphire crystal. It is in decent condition. It has some scratching between 5 and 7 o’clock.
Crown:
The crown is the original Cartier crown. It winds and sets as it should and is in good, aged condition. The facetted saphire is in good condition with an even tone and only light marking.
Bezel:
The bezel is 18ct yellow gold and is in strong original condition. It has some light surface scratching as expected with age. The screw heads are in good condition with some light marking.
Case:
The case is made of Stainless Steel and is in good condition having been refinished. It has some light marks.
Caseback:
The caseback is formed of Stainless Steel and has a brushed finish. It is in decent condition with the defined signing and legible serial number.
Bracelet:
The watch comes on its original Cartier bracelet. It is in strong condition having been refinished. It has some signs of historic deeper marks, not removed by re-brushing. One replacement link has been put nearest the clasp to increase the length. This has more marking as it was not re-brushed.
The bracelet will fit up to a 17.75cm wrist diameter.
Movement:
The movement is the ETA 2671 automatic movement which has a jewel count of 17 and is shock proof.
It has been recently serviced and is keeping time to within -5 seconds a day, with an amplitude of 295 and a beat error of 0.0 m/s.
Case dimensions
Case width: 25mm
Case width with crown: 26.75mm
Case length: 23.25mm
Case length lug to lug: 33mm
Case depth: 8.8mm
Lug width: 12mm