contemplating between the VCA 20 motifs hammered yellow gold and the 10 motifs guilloche yellow gold

[Oceansparkle]

Hi everyone, I am contemplating between a Cartier mini Baignoire watch or VCA 20 motifs hammered yellow gold necklace to get later and wanted your help to decide which one to pick?

Is the Baignoire watch too small and requires reading glasses? Is it trendy or classic? Can it be safely worn with love and JUC bracelets? I am not a watch person as I rely mainly on my apple watch and this will be my first all gold watch which I plan to use for a long time.

The reason why I am considering 20 motifs hammered gold is the versatility. I can wear it double, or just long or lariat style and it looks good in all seasons and outfits. I have the matching 5 motif bracelet and love it.

Which one should I get? Thanks

 

[lill_canele]

The mini Baignoire will be quite small and you'll only know how small it is for you when you try it on. How it appears varies from wrist to wrist. It's best if you can try it on in stores to see for yourself.
If you already need glasses to read other things, the mini may be too small for you.
Personally I find the silhouette very classic. A clean oval watch is beautiful in general and the Baignoire was created in 1912 which means it's been around for over 100 years.
If you don't like scratches, then I don't advise wearing the Baignoire or any gold watch with any other bracelets. The smooth surface can easily show wear. (personally, scratches don't bother me.)
If you're not a watch person, then you may want to reconsider unless you'd like to wear it as more of a jewelry piece. Which I think is perfectly fine. But $13K USD for a quartz watch is a hefty price to pay.

For me watches > jewelry and I'm also not really a necklace girl, so I'm biased and would go for the watch.

But, first impressions from your post, it seems you're leaning towards the necklace.
I'd say go try the pieces on and see how look on you. Generally that is the Ah-ha! moment for me and makes the final decision.
If you're not sure, then take photos to think about and compare later.

Happy shopping and good luck!

 

[Oceansparkle]

The mini Baignoire will be quite small and you'll only know how small it is for you when you try it on. How it appears varies from wrist to wrist. It's best if you can try it on in stores to see for yourself.
If you already need glasses to read other things, the mini may be too small for you.
Personally I find the silhouette very classic. A clean oval watch is beautiful in general and the Baignoire was created in 1912 which means it's been around for over 100 years.
If you don't like scratches, then I don't advise wearing the Baignoire or any gold watch with any other bracelets. The smooth surface can easily show wear. (personally, scratches don't bother me.)
If you're not a watch person, then you may want to reconsider unless you'd like to wear it as more of a jewelry piece. Which I think is perfectly fine. But $13K USD for a quartz watch is a hefty price to pay.

For me watches > jewelry and I'm also not really a necklace girl, so I'm biased and would go for the watch.

But, first impressions from your post, it seems you're leaning towards the necklace.
I'd say go try the pieces on and see how look on you. Generally that is the Ah-ha! moment for me and makes the final decision.
If you're not sure, then take photos to think about and compare later.

Happy shopping and good luck!

Thank you so much for your reply. You are so right about trying both on to decide. The problem is I do not have both boutiques in my city.

My SA from Cartier had contacted me telling me that the watch is available and that Cartier is planning to discontinue it and that this one is hard to come by. She can hold it for me for a few days so I can decide. The reason I like the watch is that it is a bangle and can be worn as a piece of jewelry alone or with a stack (I don’t mind scratches).

The problem is that although the Baignoire is on my wish list, it is ‘below’ the VCA 20 motifs (as I had initially planned to get the necklace first and then later on save for the watch). Now that the SA is saying that she has it and that it will be discontinued, I am afraid that I will regret not getting the watch especially considering that it is solid gold and costs less than other solid gold watches from other models in Cartier. Plus, I keep asking myself if I do need a nice watch or the apple watch is sufficient.

Which one do you think will hold its value more?

 

[880]

Is the Baignoire watch too small and requires reading glasses? Is it trendy or classic? Can it be safely worn with love and JUC bracelets? I am not a watch person as I rely mainly on my apple watch and this will be my first all gold watch which I plan to use for a long time.

I think it’s too small. Watches are already trending larger. And the last time they were this small was in the 1980s.

The reason why I am considering 20 motifs hammered gold is the versatility. I can wear it double, or just long or lariat style and it looks good in all seasons and outfits. I have the matching 5 motif bracelet and love it.

All seem like solid reasons to get the 20 motif. However, I don’t know if there is a wait list for this piece

The problem is that although the Baignoire is on my wish list, it is ‘below’ the VCA 20 motifs (as I had initially planned to get the necklace first and then later on save for the watch). Now that the SA is saying that she has it and that it will be discontinued, I am afraid that I will regret not getting the watch especially considering that it is solid gold and costs less than other solid gold watches from other models in Cartier. Plus, I keep asking myself if I do need a nice watch or the apple watch is sufficient.

If you are not sure that you even need/want a gold watch, don’t do it. From your posts, it seems like you are talking yourself into the watch bc it’s logical and you have FOMO

However, I would not buy anything without trying it on in person. I agree with @lill_canele that there is always a moment of epiphany. Without that, I don’t think anyone should buy anything.

 

[lill_canele]

Thank you so much for your reply. You are so right about trying both on to decide. The problem is I do not have both boutiques in my city.

My SA from Cartier had contacted me telling me that the watch is available and that Cartier is planning to discontinue it and that this one is hard to come by. She can hold it for me for a few days so I can decide. The reason I like the watch is that it is a bangle and can be worn as a piece of jewelry alone or with a stack (I don’t mind scratches).

The problem is that although the Baignoire is on my wish list, it is ‘below’ the VCA 20 motifs (as I had initially planned to get the necklace first and then later on save for the watch). Now that the SA is saying that she has it and that it will be discontinued, I am afraid that I will regret not getting the watch especially considering that it is solid gold and costs less than other solid gold watches from other models in Cartier. Plus, I keep asking myself if I do need a nice watch or the apple watch is sufficient.

Which one do you think will hold its value more?

This is a tricky question for these 2 particular items.

While watches in general tend to hold value well, there are exceptions to 1) the brand 2) the metal.
All gold watches tend to not hold their value as well as stainless steel. (My guess is that, the retail price is far more inflated than the value of the gold itself).
Cartier watches aren't too great at holding their value in general. Perhaps because Cartier is not a watch house (like Rolex, AP, IWC, etc.) Also, in the watch world, quartz watches don't seem to be as valuable as automatic.
Most all gold Cartier watches easily drop 30-40% in value once they hit resale. However, it can also vary if an item is trending such as the Baignoire and it's something that is limited and in high demand. At this point in time, it probably will hold its value well but only time can tell in the long run.

On the other hand, a VCA 20 motif is an item most people do not buy, and therefore, it's an item that most people do not sell. Generally it is difficult to resell items with such a high retail price point. 1)Because most people don't have such expendable cash 2) Those who do would rather just buy it new.
However, looking at the resale value, for the 20 motif in gold, it honestly doesn't look too bad. It's sitting around retail value.

At the end of the day, we know we're paying premium prices so as long as you're willing to pay the price, it's best to go with what makes our heart sing.

 

[Oceansparkle]

I think it’s too small. Watches are already trending larger. And the last time they were this small was in the 1980s.

All seem like solid reasons to get the 20 motif. However, I don’t know if there is a wait list for this piece

If you are not sure that you even need/want a gold watch, don’t do it. From your posts, it seems like you are talking yourself into the watch bc it’s logical and you have FOMO

However, I would not buy anything without trying it on in person. I agree with @lill_canele that there is always a moment of epiphany. Without that, I don’t think anyone should buy anything.

Thank you for your reply. True, I think I just have FOMO and I think I will pass on it…. especially that it is quartz. Thanks 😊

 

[Oceansparkle]

This is a tricky question for these 2 particular items.

While watches in general tend to hold value well, there are exceptions to 1) the brand 2) the metal.
All gold watches tend to not hold their value as well as stainless steel. (My guess is that, the retail price is far more inflated than the value of the gold itself).
Cartier watches aren't too great at holding their value in general. Perhaps because Cartier is not a watch house (like Rolex, AP, IWC, etc.) Also, in the watch world, quartz watches don't seem to be as valuable as automatic.
Most all gold Cartier watches easily drop 30-40% in value once they hit resale. However, it can also vary if an item is trending such as the Baignoire and it's something that is limited and in high demand. At this point in time, it probably will hold its value well but only time can tell in the long run.

On the other hand, a VCA 20 motif is an item most people do not buy, and therefore, it's an item that most people do not sell. Generally it is difficult to resell items with such a high retail price point. 1)Because most people don't have such expendable cash 2) Those who do would rather just buy it new.
However, looking at the resale value, for the 20 motif in gold, it honestly doesn't look too bad. It's sitting around retail value.

At the end of the day, we know we're paying premium prices so as long as you're willing to pay the price, it's best to go with what makes our heart sing.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I think I will pass on this watch and focus on VCA.

Although my SA is asking me to buy it, try it and to send it back if I don’t like it, I don’t think that it is even worth its price, especially that it is quartz. I plan to use my stuff for a very long time but I have heard that quartz pieces dont last long. Plus, on social media, most of the girls who wear it are young. I am not as young and don’t think it will look good as I age.
If I ever decide that I need a watch, I think I will go with the Ballon Bleu mixed metal automatic/ mechanical which I think is more classic and doesn’t need reading glasses😊

I think I really want the VCA especially that I don’t see myself having to find some sort of justification to get it.
Thank you so much 😊

 

[saligator]

Thank you so much for your reply. You are so right about trying both on to decide. The problem is I do not have both boutiques in my city.

My SA from Cartier had contacted me telling me that the watch is available and that Cartier is planning to discontinue it and that this one is hard to come by. She can hold it for me for a few days so I can decide. The reason I like the watch is that it is a bangle and can be worn as a piece of jewelry alone or with a stack (I don’t mind scratches).

The problem is that although the Baignoire is on my wish list, it is ‘below’ the VCA 20 motifs (as I had initially planned to get the necklace first and then later on save for the watch). Now that the SA is saying that she has it and that it will be discontinued, I am afraid that I will regret not getting the watch especially considering that it is solid gold and costs less than other solid gold watches from other models in Cartier. Plus, I keep asking myself if I do need a nice watch or the apple watch is sufficient.

Which one do you think will hold its value more?

I have not heard that it is going to be discontinued. It is very popular and according to my SA, they are still taking orders for it. They just released it in 2023 with new models, including the big one, last year. So this would be very unusual. Maybe that SA is hoping for a quick commission.

 

[Oceansparkle]

I have not heard that it is going to be discontinued. It is very popular and according to my SA, they are still taking orders for it. They just released it in 2023 with new models, including the big one, last year. So this would be very unusual. Maybe that SA is hoping for a quick commission.

Really? Thats strange. My SA mentioned that it is discontinued and that the only bangle that would be available would be the small version of the mini. She did mention that there is a long waiting list for the mini 🤔

 

[Oceansparkle]

I am not sure if I should post in another thread or continue on this thread🤔

I am now contemplating between the 20 motifs hammered yellow gold and the 10 motifs guilloche yellow gold. I love them both but cant decide on one. I have the 5 motifs of both pieces as well as the hammered gold single motif pendant.

Which one should I go with? Thanks

 

[Swanky]

I'd post photos, not everyone knows what each item looks like!

 

[Oceansparkle]

I'd post photos, not everyone knows what each item looks like!

Is it ok if I post photos from the VCA website? I don’t have a boutique nearby as I work with an SA from out of the city.

 

[Swanky]

Yes of course. I don't care for Cartier watches so I"m not familiar with each model and I don't wear much VCA... so pics really help!

 

[Oceansparkle]

Thank you. Here are the pictures. The first one is the 20 motifs hammered and the second one is the 10 motifs guilloche. All in yellow gold.

 

[Berengeria]

I'm glad you decided against the watch for all the reasons already stated above. I won't repeat them, so I'll just add that in my opinion, it is difficult for women's watches to stay on-trend for very long because sizes and subtle shape changes occur that make them look very dated in just a few years. Unlike men's watches which vary less overall (as compared to women's watches), they show their age quickly.

Regarding the necklace, I think the guilloche is so much prettier than the hammered. Personal preference of course, but to me the hammered just look sloppier and less "crafted." Guilloche is a beautiful technique and each motif simply sparkles with the light that bounces out of each beautiful line. It's the only thing VCA makes that truly tempts me tbh, because it really is so beautiful.

However, another consideration is the length of each. Which would be better for you? For me, I have so many necklaces that are longer like the 20 motif necklace but I almost never wear them. I just don't like the way they flop around over my clothes. The length of the 10 motif is perfect imo because it is high enough to show over most shirt/dress necklines. It frames the face. Of course, I do have a friend that hates that length because she has a double chin and she doesn't like anything that she feels highlights it.

I have no idea which of these considerations (if any) might be relevant for you, but you really can't go wrong with either choice. Both are beautiful necklaces.