My parents bought me a Santos Octagon stainless steel & gold for my 21st birthday..................in 1985, and it is still on my wrist every day, I even go to bed with it on. I have had it serviced every 5 years or so. Last year it had a major service, added a link, replaced the face which had gotton a bit discoloured, and had a new side knob as the stone was chipped. Still have all the paperwork and box. I love it and I am sure it will see me out.
What a wonderful guide! This will be helpful for so many out there! And thanks so much for featuring my Santos Rotation Inversée, I am really humbled! Best, Raf
This was a fantastic presentation, Aleks. I've recently acquired a Caree from the mid 90's, which appears to have never been polished and honestly looks like it was never even worn. I searched for a long time to find one in this condition as the gold bezels are scratch magnets. My Caree is presented in two tone silver with gold bezel with a two tone silver and gold godron bracelet. The gold accent of the godron weaves in and out through the bracelet and I appreciate its uniqueness over the more common screw type bracelet. Very unusual but a great conversation starter for those in the know. Thanks again for the wonderful and informative video and I am now subscribed.
The vintage santos market has definately reacted to your videos when looking at the current prices. They've seen a decent price increase in the recent year. You've done a good job educating the market on these gems 😉
Taught a lot...had a look at a Caree, two-tone, on eBay for 1950€, and the case was almost gone, so much polishing, and the screws were kind of 'hanging out' of a very rounded bezel! So, great teaching!
Started collecting a year ago, found that I really like Casio, I wear an A168 a lot. Plan on getting a few more Casio Edifices and then some Oceanus’s. My grail is a Santos, so A168’s for daily, and Santos for some weekends and special occasions.
I have two Santos Rondes: one in steel, one in full yellow gold, both unpolished. They wear amazing. It's crazy how a vintage DateJust with a beat-to-hell bracelet sells for x3 a steel Ronde in excellent condition.
I love your video! It’s so informative and answers so many questions. I’m not a watch hound but I’m an obsessed fan of the Cartier Santos de Cartier Galbee. I also am someone who wears one everyday and with a very limited budget so mine are vintage and very reasonably priced. And I also don’t care about paperwork and boxes because my kids can worry about selling or wearing them after I’m dead. 🤣❤️
Wo wo wo, amazing video. I’m hunting for a carree, and I’m determined to get one this year. This is a very helpful, informative video. Thank you for making this video. And I’m glad that I found you!
Good video, well researched and informative past the usual surface level. Did actually purchase a 2961 with 2nd Gen bracelet in Feb and enjoying the design immensely. Now if I just had the funds for the all gold variant ;P
Hey there! Just wondering how you know what gen your bracelet is? I know there's at least 3 variants, but been unable to work out what era they are. Cheers
If it has screws in the links rather than the pins on the backside of the link it is 3rd gen 👍🏼 not sure if there is any major diferences between the 1st/2nd except one has numbers (1,2,3…) and so on on the links
@@jays8538 1st gen has numbers on the links and can be taken apart. 2nd gen can't be taken apart though much more solid construction. If not swapped around, the 2nd gen clasp is a true rectangle, without the little ledge to put your finger under.
Great video and informative video! A Santos has always been my grail and an aspiration piece since I'm still a student. A two toned Galbee white face no date or a Galbee two-toned Moonphase would be my pick.. 😍
Good you’re talking about the differences; these two models are often confused. - A few points: The Galbée has a similar case back to the Carrée shown here when automatic. The automatic also has a guilloché dial. The second generation Galbée has a hidden clasp. -The correct box in good condition is hard to get for £50. I’ve tried the Octagon - compared to the square ones it wears much smaller as it is more of a round watch. - Quite sure that Time by Raf Santos is a piece unique.
Thanks for such an informative video! I am now on the hunt for an unpolished Carree! Also, is it possible to receive info on the bracelets you are wearing?
This is an excellent video! Very insightful. Love to know what you think of a Carree Octagon with burgundy dial (2966) and how much do you think it will cost?
Wow, great video! Very informative. I'm interested in collecting a Santos produced from the same years as me or my sister, which are 1993 and 1990 respectively. After doing some research, I found that only Galbée quartz version was manufactured during these years. I wanted to ask if there are Carree or Galbée automatic versions produced in 1993 or 1990? Thanks
Hi Aleks, thank you for the guide. I recently bought a 2960 in full gold, and the screws are brushed. Does it mean it's been polished? Are there any models with brushed screws?
Hi! Thanks for watching. Yes the screws should have polished and not finished. Thats how they left the factory. So seems like someone has polished it. But don’t let that ruin anything. Enjoy a great watch!
Very useful video for a Galbée 2319 hunter like me, thanks. Q: can you remove the screws on the bezel & bracelet of a Santos, or are they merely decorative?
Bonjour Aleks, Should I have Cartier polish out all the scratches gathered in the last 34 years I have own this watch? so many thanks for your great videos, super informative! A Santos Carrée was gifted to me new in 1988. I have much enjoyed it these 34 years. As I hadn’t worn it 10 years I am now gifting it to my 30 year old son. Brought it to Cartier, Place Vendôme, asking them to do a refurbish, polish out as much of the scratches as possible and repair as needed any issues. AsI as know only issue was automatic movement now only last about 6-8hrs. Sadly we got back and they had not polished out anything and didn’t write any detail of anything they fixed/refurbished, a complete waist of all our times so far. Before I reach back out to them letting know of this very poor level of service, reaching out to you.
Hi Jan, if the watch is unpolished (not polished since purchase) I wouldnt. It adds character and the factory finish is hard to restore. Every scratch is a memory 😉 Sad to hear about the experience, I’ve only had good experience with Cartier customer service this far.
Hej Aleks! Bra video som alltid! Jag undrar lite gällande storlekar, när du refererar till herrstorlekar, vilka tänker du på då? Funkar en 23,5 x 23,5 (34,5) mm till herr? Jag har en vintage Omega som mäter 35 som jag trivs med.
the Carree is more beautiful and will increase in value sooner because it came onto the market earlier than the Galbee and because the Carree has an automatic movement. I have the Santos Carree in steel/gold with Godron bracelet which is even more rare than the standard strap with screws and it is more special. I also have Rolex but Cartier Santos is much more special and elegant..
Have been watching and rewatching this video in my search for a Santos, and finally settled on 33mm Santos Ronde which should fit my 16cm wrist just fine. I'm sure it won't be the last Santos I get, such a great design in all it's iterations (well except the huge ones). Thanks Aleks!
Hi! Thanks for the video. I was wondering how often do you get your automatic santos checked at Cartier? How does all of that work? Im considering buying the automatic over the quartz, but i need more infos about the maintenance and price. Thanks again!
Only if it starts to run way too fast or slow or if the power reserve is shitty. It is a basic ETA movement powering it so it can be fixed by any decent watchmaker :)
Hey, great video. I have a question about size. I'm looking online, and it seems to me there are small, medium, and large versions. I'm looking at the carree and octagonal models. Could you let me know if I'm seeing it wrong, or if there are different options, how to spot the right one (I'm interested in the M-L size or the ones you are showing in the video) since most descriptions don't mention the case size and are usually described as women's watches. I'm guessing you would already mention different case sizes, but just double-checking. Thank you!
Thanks! For the vintage ones there are only small (24mm) or large (29mm). Ladies versions don't have date windows. Thats for the Carrée. For the Octagonal the large ones are 30mm, also here with a date window. Sometimes, now more seldom than before, the large models are described as ladies. Hope this clear things up!
Hello. Do you have any advice on avoiding stretched bracelets on the galbee? I'm not finding much as I research, but think someone should talk about it as they are difficult and expensive to replace and I don't believe they are repairable.
hello aleks!! what do you think of buying santos carree 2961 as an investment piece to hold value? im a first timer, love the design but want something that has resale value too
I don’t do financial advice :) If you like the watch, buy it. If it holds value/appreciates in value - good for you and see it like a bonus. If it doesn’t, maybe you did enjoy it while you wore it at least ✌🏼
2.5 k without paper? I inherited it from my late dad, I wonder how much he'd paid in 1984? 86? I can only vaguely remember, that we went to the Cartier Boutique in Düsseldorf, Germany at the famed Königsallee 1-3, can you maybe tell me how much it costs then? I will never sell it, if you want to know - good condition with a couple of wear marks, there's a little bit of patina on the dial, but stll run like bought.
Hi i've been looking at two tone cartier santos carée's. Which models are supposed to have hidden butterfly clasp and which have the clasp with the cartier logo on it? Did one come before the other? Is it by the year of production? any info would be great. Amazing video, super helpful btw
Both of my vintage 2000 Galbee have the tang clasp with logo. Does that mean that the butterfly hidden closure w screws bracelets are all replacement bands? Or did Cartier use those as factory too?
What about later example, after 1990? Also, does it always have to be 2961xxxx for serial number? Would there ever be examples where is can be different
@THISISKENNYC no Carrees produced in the 90’s. Maybe sold then but not produced since Galbée was introduced. Not always 2961 could be other numbers as well
There are many out there to be honest, I’d try to search for it across many platforms and grab one in good condition. Sometimes very nice examples surface on Chrono24 for example or eBay
Bought my wife a solarbeat and now want something for myself.I love the 2 tone Dumont but dont know enough to confidently buy second hand.In Australia to so just cant pop into an auction house.I think i need a buyers advocate or buying service??thoughts?I wish i could afford the platinum and diamond one too!Does Cartier have sales or clearances?
Check with your local AD or call around. If it is the new two-tone Dumont. Cartier Boutique’s don’t offer neither sales nor discounts. So if you want something new AD’s/multibrand retailers usually can offer a better deal
Hello I just got my 2961 a few days ago with box and paper from the first owner which bought it 1986. What i noticed right at the beginning is that the sapphire of my santos is rather dark and tends to go greenish / dark blue when you shine it with light. Do you know till which year cartier used real sapphires in the reference 2961 and not synthetic ones?As mentioned before my sapphire is rather green or a very strong dark blue instead of the usual blue of the synthetic sapphires. Unfortunately, there is almost no information on the internet about when real sapphires were used.
What do you think about the Cartier Santos Galbee jumbo XL two-tone, model 2823, Ref. W20099C4 ? I've found this watch with a warranty book, year of production is 2011, looking great and unpolished for around 4,100 Euros. I would appreciate a quick respond because tomorrow is my last chance of getting this piece.
Hey Aleks! My Santos just got delivered today, and I'm really happy with it! However, these's one thing. Every time I set the watch, the entire dial moves and sets unevenly. Is this normal, or is going to be an expensive fix? I'm still within the 14-day return period, and want to know if it's best to just return the watch or not.
I was wondering what kind of papers are you talking about that come with the watch? I just bought my Santos a few days ago, and I'm assuming you mean the receipt and the warranty card with the serial number on it? And what other papers? Also I heard you can just have them replace the bezel for a completely new one for a fee, do you know if that's true?
Not necessarily the receipt of purchase, but the warranty card and the booklet/manual. Yes they can change it but if you have the two-tone model it is very expensive
Hi Alex, I am looking for a pre owned Automatic Santos calbee, twin tone model. Appreciate should you have any interested fan willing to dispose. Thank you v much.
I have a question. I bought a vintage (post 1987) Cartier Santos de Cartier Galbee ( 29 x41mm) online for a VERY good price ( I obsessively look all of the time) and it's arriving soon. It appears to be in very good original condition, as to your guide, never polished bracelet and life lived scratches on the gold bezel. Original tang clasp logo bracelet etc. What wasn't advertised and I neglected to see in the photos, until I zoomed in very closely on the sapphire crown AFTER buying it is that the crown is chipped on its side. This to me is a doomed crown because I've never met a jewell crown I couldn't destroy in daily wear use within 2 months. I ruined my current two tone 24mm Santos crown. I'm trying to decide as to if I should return it ( it's fully returnable) because of this or if replacing it (locally, NOT Cartier $$$$) is what you'd consider an "easy fix" and it's worth keeping the watch. I've seen Cartier crowns for sale and I think a local horologist could replace it? Alek, I'd really appreciate your opinion on this.
End of 80’s yes. When Galbée was introduced I believe. You can’t really tell what year. Cartier serial numbers is a mystery. Many of us have tried to make some sense out of it but it is very difficult. You can see if its early or late on the bracelet and maybe with enough data which there isnt about the serials and warranty cards you could try to figure out serials and years like Rolex. Cartier don’t even know when the watch was produced as far as I know.
I love the two tone because I’m kind of girly and like to wear gold with silver jewelry together. Mixing metals! Plus I have the same, except different color dial in 2 sizes….small size ( elegant) and mid size ( rugged)
Mate where do you find a carree und good condition for that price? I‘m looking for a 2961 as unpolished as possible for a year now and i just can’t find one below 5,5k which is just too much in my opinion..
@@AleksWatches awesome such a timely video to find. Heading to a vintage watch store to take a look soon can’t wait to try it on. For me it’s the one watch collection piece I’m looking for. So timeless and I have a feeling size is going to perfect as I have very small wrists and everything try in just always looks large, even if it’s considered a “smaller Watch”.
@@AleksWatches Makes sense. As someone who would be buying a watch like a vintage Santos from auction for the first time, do you have any recommendation about which auction house is easiest to work with, and do you have any tips about purchasing watches at auction? This might actually be a good video if you have a lot of experience doing this.
Does any one knows what is the difference between Cartier Santos 2961 vs 1172961? The only difference that I saw is the number in the back case of the watch.
1:10 I mean ffs, from this viewpoint neither is more rounded/square. why do ppl keep saying this? if edges and the profile is more rounded in the Galbee then show that, but looking head on they're almost identical
Well sir, the first tell is obviously the date at 3 vs 6 o'clock, further down the video I show side shots. Galbée has a flat caseback and is more curved while the Carrée has a caseback that protrudes a bit cause of the automatic movement.
The Cartier Santos is an iconic beautiful but I would not buy one. Why? Because the Santos is extremely scratch prone, especially on the high polished bezel. Cartier knows about this flaw and refuses to fix it, meanwhile, RU-vidrs keep making excuses for the flawed and subpar metal casing. Silver colored watches, such as stainless steel and titanium, are the defacto metal of choice. Why, in 2024, aren't manufacturers making "scratch-proof" watches? There are PVD coatings and nomenclatures like 316L steel, super titanium, TinSkin 3.0, and platinum encasements. A company as profitable and well funded as Cartier has no excuse for making watches that are scratch prone. Invest a little R&D and fix this problem. It's not just a Cartier problem, but most luxury watchmakers don't put in the effort to ensure their watches are "scratch-proof" or as scratch resistant as possible. It's a shame. For this reason alone I would never buy a Cartier Santos. Profits above all. So what are the most scratch resistant metals? Tegiment steel and UltraHex titanium.
