Baume et Mercier or Cartier Tank Francaise

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byzina

O.G.
Aug 12, 2010
94
625
#1
Hi, ladies!

I have to make a choice between 2 beautiful watches and I don’t know which to choose.

Half a year ago my parents wanted to offer me a watch as a gift. I’ve chosen these Baume et Mercier watch. But then I started to doubt my choice, my parents gave me money and I decided to buy them later. Now I am considering them and Cartier Tank Francaise.
See pictures attached to the post.
Both of them look beautiful and stylish, in my opinion.

Arguments for BM

It looks beautiful and costs literally 3 times less than Tank even after Tax Free. I’ll save a huge sum of money and enjoy a beautiful watch.

Arguments for Tank

It looks more classic and eternal, a lot of famous great women like Jackie Kennedy had it (though not francaise). Cartier is a more recognizable brand. And they look smarter and can be worn with an evening dress.


I would buy Tank, if the price was the same or at least twice higher but when I think how much money I can save buying BM, I start to doubt.
 

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#3
If you're committed to only a quartz movement watch, I really don't see the advantage to spending more for the Cartier. The Baume et M is beautifully designed. If you ever wanted to sell the watch in the future, though, no doubt the Cartier would have better resale value, but you're counteracting that with the enormously higher layout to start with.

Most who move up the ladder of luxury watches go for automatic movement pieces (e.g., watches by Rolex). But it's not for everybody.
 
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#4
jellyv said:
If you're committed to only a quartz movement watch, I really don't see the advantage to spending more for the Cartier. The Baume et M is beautifully designed. If you ever wanted to sell the watch in the future, though, no doubt the Cartier would have better resale value, but you're counteracting that with the enormously higher layout to start with.

Most who move up the ladder of luxury watches go for automatic movement pieces (e.g., watches by Rolex). But it's not for everybody.
Click to expand...

Thank you!
 
#6
byzina said:
Hi, ladies!

I have to make a choice between 2 beautiful watches and I don’t know which to choose.

Half a year ago my parents wanted to offer me a watch as a gift. I’ve chosen these Baume et Mercier watch. But then I started to doubt my choice, my parents gave me money and I decided to buy them later. Now I am considering them and Cartier Tank Francaise.
See pictures attached to the post.
Both of them look beautiful and stylish, in my opinion.

Arguments for BM

It looks beautiful and costs literally 3 times less than Tank even after Tax Free. I’ll save a huge sum of money and enjoy a beautiful watch.

Arguments for Tank

It looks more classic and eternal, a lot of famous great women like Jackie Kennedy had it (though not francaise). Cartier is a more recognizable brand. And they look smarter and can be worn with an evening dress.


I would buy Tank, if the price was the same or at least twice higher but when I think how much money I can save buying BM, I start to doubt.
Click to expand...


I think based on your arguments presented that you prefer the Cartier.

But for discussion purposes, i will add the following to your two choices.
1) are they both quartz? If yes, functionally, they are the same
2) dial: Baume has arabic numerals, Cartier has roman. The latter is more modern. The rose gold adds another interesting dimension. The Baume has a date window, Tank does not. I am quite taken with the rose gold!
3) strap: Tank’s bracelet means less maintenance, Baume’s leather will wear enentually. What is the bicle? Standard tang? Or the clasp. If it’s the clasp, the leather will last longer. The double wrap leather on the Baume gives it a fashionable vibe and is very much on trend (edgier is not the word..maybe younger, and I mean that in a good way).
4) price and resale.. Jellyv has discussed that in her post above

In general, the Tank is classic, the Baume is younger and more modern. If I saw the Baume worn, I’d comment “ooh neat watch!” If I saw the Cartier, I’d just admire..because telling someone their Tank is nice is just gratuitous (if that makes sense.) On a personal note, I have looked at the Cartier Tank for ages and just can’t pull the trigger. I suspect it’s bordering on the stodgy side, its relative proportions (prefer the elongated profile of Tank Americain), or that something else always catches my eye. Yet, I still look, so I do like it. If you are a watch lover, you’ll always want another, regardless of the one you pick now. Perhaps since this will be a special one from your parents, you should go classic and you'll always remember it. I cherish the Omega my parents got me..and to this day, I have a special fondness for the brand.

I think you know which one you want..go with that.
 
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#8
fabuleux said:
It seems that you really prefer the Cartier watch. So my advice is to wait a few more months and save money so you can afford the watch that you really want.
Click to expand...

That is the problem I don't need to save money for Tank and yet I have doubts.

essiedub said:
I think based on your arguments presented that you prefer the Cartier.

But for discussion purposes, i will add the following to your two choices.
1) are they both quartz? If yes, functionally, they are the same
2) dial: Baume has arabic numerals, Cartier has roman. The latter is more modern. The rose gold adds another interesting dimension. The Baume has a date window, Tank does not. I am quite taken with the rose gold!
3) strap: Tank’s bracelet means less maintenance, Baume’s leather will wear enentually. What is the bicle? Standard tang? Or the clasp. If it’s the clasp, the leather will last longer. The double wrap leather on the Baume gives it a fashionable vibe and is very much on trend (edgier is not the word..maybe younger, and I mean that in a good way).
4) price and resale.. Jellyv has discussed that in her post above

In general, the Tank is classic, the Baume is younger and more modern. If I saw the Baume worn, I’d comment “ooh neat watch!” If I saw the Cartier, I’d just admire..because telling someone their Tank is nice is just gratuitous (if that makes sense.) On a personal note, I have looked at the Cartier Tank for ages and just can’t pull the trigger. I suspect it’s bordering on the stodgy side, its relative proportions (prefer the elongated profile of Tank Americain), or that something else always catches my eye. Yet, I still look, so I do like it. If you are a watch lover, you’ll always want another, regardless of the one you pick now. Perhaps since this will be a special one from your parents, you should go classic and you'll always remember it. I cherish the Omega my parents got me..and to this day, I have a special fondness for the brand.

I think you know which one you want..go with that.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much! Your advice couldn't be more helpful, I haven't known most of these things about the mechanism, strap and numerals.
 
#9
I would pick the timeless classic Tank between the two. I prefer Cartier Tank Solo with leather strap, a more affordable alternative to Tank. It’s also rather fun to have various colourful changeable straps.
 
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#11
papertiger said:
I much prefer the Baume et Mercier watch (I used to have one of their gold bangle watches). A leather watch strap is much more comfortable to wear.

I would think most people would vote the other way though.
Click to expand...

I prefer the Baume et Mercier too. I prefer Arabic numbers over Roman, and I’m a sucker for double-tour straps.

I also like the Baume et Mercier because it’s a little bit different. The Cartier is classic (and as many will argue, you can’t go wrong with classic!), but the Baume et Mercier will get more of a reaction of, “What a cool watch, what is it?” But that’s just me.

One thing to think about: sometimes when you’re torn between two choices and can’t seem to decide, it’s because neither choice is quite right. Maybe you need to keep looking?
 
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#12
I own a Baum et Mercier and I really love it. It's stealth luxury, and it seems wasteful to spend so much for a brand name.
 
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#13
Which one will you wear the most?
If it was a gift, which one do you wish you’d get?
If you had both and had to sell one, which one would you have a harder time parting with?

I vote for the Tank because I think people are less likely to get tired of a classic watch over time than a trendier one, an all metal watch is very versatile (be it steel or gold), durable and I have 2 all steel watches that are the ones I’ve worn the most in the past (I wear all shades of gold, so that shouldn’t stop anyone).

If money is what’s stopping you from getting the. Cartier, consider getting it second hand from a reputable jewelry store that specializes in watches. You can get one like new for less and if you ever decide to sell it again your loss will be much smaller because you didn’t pay the big markup you do when buying a new one.
 
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#14
I just read you’re having doubts, even about the Tank. If I were you, I’d go to your nearest Cartier, tell them you like the Tank and want to try a few similar watches. Maybe you’ll fall in love with one of the other Tanks (which could look a bit like the BM), a Santos or a Panthere?
 
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#15
Don’t buy a watch that you have doubts with, and it sounds like it’s your first piece it’s completely ok to get Baume first and upgrade when you slowly figure out as your taste change. Take your time and try out everything.
 
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