The Cartier Santos Carrée Ref. 2961 is the Santos at its most architecturally resolved — a square case with the exposed screws and integrated bracelet that have defined the Santos silhouette since its 1978 introduction, presented here in the two-tone steel and 18k yellow gold configuration that characterised the reference through the 1980s. This 1983 example carries the MK1 style bracelet with the original motif clasp closure — the earlier of the bracelet configurations the 2961 was produced with — and represents the Santos as it was first offered to market.

What elevates this example beyond its already strong specification is its physical condition. The case and bracelet appear entirely unpolished — the original factory brushing is present and extremely sharp across all surfaces, a level of preservation that is becoming more and more uncommon on a Santos of this age.