Cartier or Rolex.....Which do you prefer??

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Take a look at both Grand Seiko and Credor and you will see what Seiko is capable of!
i just went to the grand seiko pop up store a few weeks ago and it was really interesting to hear all about their watches. The aesthetic and workmanship is beautiful. DH and I also had the opportunity to see a Credor, bc One happened to be in this location but we certain,y didn’t expect to see one. I did think the Godzilla watch was eye catching, And more of a fun fashion piece, if you can call any grand seki that.

however, OP is choosing between Rolex and Cartier and I’m not sure if she voiced an opinion re mechanical versus quartz. . . Or would consider Nomos or Gran Seiko some of whose mechanicals May provide more watch for the same amount. I think the iconic entry level gran se is the ss men’s model, but I forgot what its called. . .

@Christofle, i wanted to tell you how much I appreciate your initial post about Cartier (mainly bc I love Cartier; and the two tone santos was my first Cartier watch decades ago (and I still prefer that line to the panthere). I recall reading that the santos was rhe first purpose specific (pilot/aviator) wristwatch; and that the NYT in 1916 or therabouts dismissed the wristwatch as a fad. :biggrin: Though patek liked to claim first wrist watch maker status, it was formally Breguet in the late 1700’s (but there were reports of men and women wearing wrist bracelets at least a hundred years before that. I was also fascinated by your discussion on Cartier Prive (so?) so I dug up this article that provided more details. Thanks again! https://www.fratellowatches.com/shut-up-read-the-truth-about-cartier-watches/
also forgot to tell you I loved your recommendation of H Moser adventurine, like a starry sky! It’s similar to a Lange i was looking at (though DH prefers Lange)! Love your taste!
 
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i just went to the grand seiko pop up store a few weeks ago and it was really interesting to hear all about their watches. The aesthetic and workmanship is beautiful. DH and I also had the opportunity to see a Credor, bc One happened to be in this location but we certain,y didn’t expect to see one. I did think the Godzilla watch was eye catching, And more of a fun fashion piece, if you can call any grand seki that.

however, OP is choosing between Rolex and Cartier and I’m not sure if she voiced an opinion re mechanical versus quartz. . . Or would consider Nomos or Gran Seiko some of whose mechanicals May provide more watch for the same amount. I think the iconic entry level gran se is the ss men’s model, but I forgot what its called. . .

Titanium snowflake
 
Just a bit of history for those that might be interested:

I’m not entirely sure why Cartier’s historical watchmaking prowess keeps getting forgotten. However Cartier was producing watches before Rolex even existed. In fact they are credited with creating the first men’s watch in 1904 for the pilot Santos.

Moreover Rolex doesn’t have an haute horlogerie branch nor do they use elaborate hand finishing on their movements.

Cartier has been creating some truly technical masterpieces.

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Very interesting, I was unaware of this. Personally I love Cartier watches as I adore jewellery and for me the Panthere functions like a jewellery piece which also happens to tell the time :loveeyes:
 
Cartier never made their own watch movements always contracting with other watch makers. I am not sure if they are now with the haute pieces. Rolex is one of the few who make the watches completely from start to finis, inside and out including the actual metal alloys.

Historically you are right that JLC, AP, Piaget and others produced the movements but this was historically true for many watch brands.

As for more recent history:
In 2005, Cartier hired Carole Forestier (previously worked for Audemars Piguet and Vancleef&Arpels) to take charge of their “manufacture” division. She led them to stand amongst the greats of AP, Patek and Vacheron on the high end developing Geneva seal watches for Cartier. She’s known as the queen of complications.

On the lower end for 6500$ the Calibre de cartier is their most reasonable manufacture movement in steel. (2010)
 
Rolex, all the way. Clean, classic. And slightly tacky but sooo delicious. If you are very feminine it can be a nice accent in your outfits. But both are very solid classics you will get a lot wear out of them and won't regret the investment. But me personally... nothing beats the magic of Rolex for me.

This is how I feel, and I'm debating over my upcoming first Rolex purchase. I love that Rolex's Everose will not fade over time. Hubby and I are actually arguing over the size and look - he wants me to wear a dainty and understated watch, and I want it as you said: slightly tacky but so delicious.
 
I'm looking to purchase a nice watch and wanted some suggestions on what you are LOVING or have in constant rotation?

I was thinking a Cartier Panthere or a Rolex DateJust (not sure on colors though and size)...

any thoughts or suggestions?

(This would be a first fancy/higher end brand watch.)
You cannot go wrong with neither in my opinion, so go for what makes your heart sing.

I wear Rolex. Have had a stainless steel for decades that I only took off for cleaning.
I now also have my mother’s gold Rolex, and I rotate them. My sister kept her Cartier. I am just used to the Rolex but love the Cartier too, although I prefer the Tank and the Santos.

But it is just a question of taste.

On size, my impression is big watches are on the wane. We don’t wear watches to tell the time anymore, so a watch is a very classic thing, almost old-fashioned. I think a more proportionate size is the way to go.
 
I have both Rolex and Cartier watches and they are totally different. It truly depends on your style and the look your going for. I find Rolex watches to be bulkier and more casual. My Balloon is so flat in comparison and feels extra feminine. Truly you will need both so get the one you love the most first.
 
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I would say Hermes is A. Lange und Söene because Patek got caught buying up their vintage watches to artificially inflate their value. I don’t think H would do that!

VCA now has a heritage counter at their Flagship. Verdura also has some heritage pieces.

DH has not yet worn his other watches since getting his Lange Zeitwork this year and has put his name down for the white gold Odysseus with rubber strap. I was looking at buying a bigger Cartier gold watch (I wear big watches), and realized, for the price of either a gold banded Cartier (the updated gold pasha or Rolex, there are many other brand options, the same retail price or much less. . . For example the Piaget Altiplano (rose gold with a bit of diamond) or a relatively understated gorgeous blue sparkly dial Lange. (I am not personally a fan of Pateks womens lines, though they are popular with many on TPF)

hope OP wiLL post what she ended up getting! :biggrin:
 
VCA now has a heritage counter at their Flagship. Verdura also has some heritage pieces.

DH has not yet worn his other watches since getting his Lange Zeitwork this year and has put his name down for the white gold Odysseus with rubber strap. I was looking at buying a bigger Cartier gold watch (I wear big watches), and realized, for the price of either a gold banded Cartier (the updated gold pasha or Rolex, there are many other brand options, the same retail price or much less. . . For example the Piaget Altiplano (rose gold with a bit of diamond) or a relatively understated gorgeous blue sparkly dial Lange. (I am not personally a fan of Pateks womens lines, though they are popular with many on TPF)

hope OP wiLL post what she ended up getting! :biggrin:

The altiplano is a gorgeous watch but so are the women’s models by H.Moser Cie (especially their adventurine dial moon phase model).
 
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