What is a Cartier Santos Ronde Ref. 2966 worth?

Public auction and dealer results for Ref. 2966 from November 2021 to November 2026 (five years, as the last three alone have too few) come to $2,150 to $3,200, with a median of $2,600 across 4 sales of this exact reference. The most recent was $4,200 at Aguttes in July 2026. Condition, service history, and the original box and papers move an individual watch within that range.

What is the Ref. 2966?

The midsize Santos Octagon in steel and gold: a round steel case of 29 to 30 mm with an 18k yellow gold octagonal bezel held by screws, a dial with Roman numerals and a date at 3 o'clock, and an automatic movement, which Sotheby's catalogs as the Cal. 077 with 25 jewels, on an integrated steel and gold bracelet. Houses split on the name: Sotheby's catalogs it as the Santos Octagonale, Aguttes as the Santos Octagon and Bonhams as the Santos Ronde.

Is the Ref. 2966 solid gold?

No. Sotheby's, Aguttes and Bonhams all catalog a stainless steel case with a gold bezel, and Sotheby's and Aguttes give the gold as 18k. The bracelet is steel and gold.

How does it relate to the square Santos?

It carries the Santos screws on an octagonal gold bezel set on a round steel case, where the Santos Carrée is square. Bonhams counts eight decorative screws on the bezel.

What should I check on a Ref. 2966?

The case number, which runs straight on from the reference: Sotheby's recorded 296'638'257, Aguttes 296667911 and Bonhams 296610728. Then check that the date at 3 o'clock changes cleanly, that the automatic winds and keeps time, and that the steel and gold bracelet has no stretch or replaced links and its folding clasp closes firmly.

Cartier · Santos Ronde

Santos Octagon, Steel & Gold, Automatic

Ref. 2966c. 1980s–1990s

The Cartier Santos Octagon Ref. 2966 is a 29–30 mm stainless steel automatic with an 18k yellow gold octagonal bezel, made c. 1980s–1990s and cataloged as the Santos Octagon or Santos Ronde, with a white Roman numeral dial and a date at 3 o'clock.

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Sales of Ref. 2966 since Nov 2021: $2,150 to $3,200, median $2,600 across 4 sales of this exact reference. What's yours worth?

Only sales that name Ref. 2966 count here. The last three years alone have too few, so this goes back five.

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Specifications

Reference: 2966; Midsize, steel with an 18k yellow gold octagonal bezel, automatic, date at 3 o'clock
Year: c. 1980s–1990s; Dated from auction and dealer examples; exact production years are not established
Movement: Automatic; Automatic with date; Sotheby's catalogs the Cal. 077 with 25 jewels
Case: 29–30 mm, Stainless steel with 18k yellow gold bezel
Dial: White; Roman numerals, date window at 3 o'clock
Hands: Blued steel; Sword-shaped
Strap: Steel and 18k yellow gold bracelet; Integrated bracelet with a signed folding clasp

Visual Description

The Ref. 2966 is a round steel watch with an 18k yellow gold octagonal bezel fixed by screws, which Bonhams counts as eight. Sotheby's, Aguttes and Bonhams measure it at 30 mm. The dial carries Roman numerals and a date window at 3 o'clock; Bonhams describes a cream dial with black numerals and the secret signature at VII, with blued steel sword hands. Aguttes has sold one with a gray dial and gold hands, and Sotheby's one with a burgundy dial. It comes on an integrated steel and gold bracelet with a signed folding clasp.

Reference Significance

The 2966 is the midsize Santos with an octagonal bezel on a round case, and auction houses do not agree on what to call it: Santos Octagonale at Sotheby's, Santos Octagon at Aguttes and Santos Ronde at Bonhams. All agree on a steel case with a gold bezel, an automatic movement and a date at 3 o'clock. Sotheby's catalogs the movement as the Cal. 077 with 25 jewels.

Historical Context

Sotheby's and Bonhams date examples to about 1990. Exact production years are not established.

What to Look For

Case number: The reference runs straight into the serial, so the case number should begin 2966, as on the examples Sotheby's, Aguttes and Bonhams sold. Sotheby's records the case back secured by eight screws.

Movement: The automatic should wind and keep time, and the date should change cleanly at midnight.

Bezel and dial: Check that the bezel screws are all present and consistent, and that the dial printing is crisp. If the dial is gray or burgundy, compare it with the examples Aguttes and Sotheby's sold.

Bracelet: Look closely for stretch, replaced links and a worn folding clasp.

Known Variants

Documented dial, case, and bracelet variations of Ref. 2966.

White or Cream Dial

Roman numerals and a date at 3 o'clock with blued steel sword hands. Bonhams describes its example as cream with black Roman numerals and the secret signature at VII.

c. 1990 (dated example)Documented at auction

Gray Dial

Aguttes sold a 30 mm example with a gray dial, gold sword hands and a date at 3 o'clock.

Not dated by the catalogOne example documented

Burgundy Dial

Sotheby's sold a 30 mm example with a burgundy dial on the Cal. 077.

c. 1990 (dated example)One example documented

How to tell it apart

What separates a Ref. 2966 from its neighbors, and what to check before you buy or sell one.

What is a Cartier Santos Ronde Ref. 2966 worth?: Public auction and dealer results for Ref. 2966 from November 2021 to November 2026 (five years, as the last three alone have too few) come to $2,150 to $3,200, with a median of $2,600 across 4 sales of this exact reference. The most recent was $4,200 at Aguttes in July 2026. Condition, service history, and the original box and papers move an individual watch within that range.
What is the Ref. 2966?: The midsize Santos Octagon in steel and gold: a round steel case of 29 to 30 mm with an 18k yellow gold octagonal bezel held by screws, a dial with Roman numerals and a date at 3 o'clock, and an automatic movement, which Sotheby's catalogs as the Cal. 077 with 25 jewels, on an integrated steel and gold bracelet. Houses split on the name: Sotheby's catalogs it as the Santos Octagonale, Aguttes as the Santos Octagon and Bonhams as the Santos Ronde.
Is the Ref. 2966 solid gold?: No. Sotheby's, Aguttes and Bonhams all catalog a stainless steel case with a gold bezel, and Sotheby's and Aguttes give the gold as 18k. The bracelet is steel and gold.
How does it relate to the square Santos?: It carries the Santos screws on an octagonal gold bezel set on a round steel case, where the Santos Carrée is square. Bonhams counts eight decorative screws on the bezel.
What should I check on a Ref. 2966?: The case number, which runs straight on from the reference: Sotheby's recorded 296'638'257, Aguttes 296667911 and Bonhams 296610728. Then check that the date at 3 o'clock changes cleanly, that the automatic winds and keeps time, and that the steel and gold bracelet has no stretch or replaced links and its folding clasp closes firmly.