Help Choosing a Watch: Leaning Toward Cartier Panther, But Open to Other Suggestions

[Maria333]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice on choosing a new watch and would really appreciate your input. I'm leaning towards the Cartier's Panthere, but I'm torn between a few models and open to exploring other brands. I'm looking for a watch that's easy to wear, both in terms of style and upkeep. I prefer something on the lighter side, as I’m not a fan of heavy watches on my wrist.

So far, I’ve tried on and liked the mini versions in stainless steel and yellow gold, and the rose gold with diamonds (small size) and stainless steel with diamonds (small size) options. I did try on stainless steel and yellow gold without diamonds, in the small size. But I feel like I prefer the small size with the diamonds. I love the solid gold versions but feel they might be too much for my casual style and a bit pricey, especially considering they don’t retain value well. That said, I’m not focusing on value retention—I just want a watch I’ll enjoy wearing daily.

Other watches I'm considering are the Rolex Datejust (28mm) and the AP (33mm). I had a chance to try on a larger sized AP. I also tried on the Bvlgari Serpenti, but I’m unsure if its snake design pairs well with the Cartier jewelry I wear daily. Attaching photos of all the watches I tried on so far.

For reference, I typically wear yellow gold jewelry daily—my Love bracelet, small JUC or D'Amour bracelets, and the JUC pendant necklace. I tend to skip earrings in my lower piercings, but I always keep my Maria Tash diamond studs in my upper piercings. While I also have white gold pieces, I’ve been wearing exclusively yellow gold lately. However, I’ll soon be adding a white gold engagement ring to my daily set. Also, technically not jewelry, but I always have my health tracker stainless steel Oura ring on my left hand.

Any suggestions on which Panther model or other brands I should consider? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thanks so much
in advance!

 

[ColorObsessed]

Based on your skin tone, I like the mixed metal or the yellow gold — especially if you wear yellow gold normally. The silver color / stainless steel doesn't look as good to my eye based on these pictures. If you're more casual, then maybe go mixed metals, or yellow without diamonds. I prefer the small to medium to larger faces on your wrist compared to the mini.

Anywho, just my two cents! Lots of gorgeous watches for you to choose from — I'm sure you'll select one that's great!

 

[880]

AP watch on the same hand as your WG engagement ring (and congratulations on your engagement . I think the AP should retain value if not increase. Ans, it is more unusual for a woman to wear one than a Cartier. The other arm can wear a YG stack. IMO, the small watch trend comes in for a few years and then watches swing back to larger sizes. I am not a fan of two tone watches bc they (and the small panthere) were very popular in the 1980s, and I have never shaken that association. However, I voted as per my own personal opinion and aesthetic. I think any of these look great on your wrist and you really cannot go wrong. Have fun deciding.

Solely looking at your pictures, I would pick the AP watch first, and oddly the yellow gold panthere with diamonds or without next. They are very different, but I think you wear both styles well. Either way, I would not wear a bracelet on the same hand as a watch.

 

[baghagg]

Mini size Panthere is so tiny in real life, it has very little presence; I thought that the Panthere in two-tone just wasn't well executed, just my opinion. I voted for the small gold Panthere, but the small SS is also great and naturally you can't really go wrong with the AP (not my personal preference, aesthetically).

 

[CoastalCouture]

I like the small Panthere in SS & YG, no diamonds. I like the AP as well but, it heads off in another direction than what you've got going with your Cartier. Certainly take a look at the Rolex. I find that the Panthere is really pretty and has one of the most comfortable of watch bracelets going.

 

[Cartier<3]

Small YG with diamonds. I wear mine daily and still love it. But if YG AP with diamonds was in the picture, I’d choose that.

 

[lill_canele]

Hmm, it may be because of the lighting (a little dark) but I don't like the TT panthere on you. (which is saying something because my TT gold and stainless steel medium panthere is my everyday watch.)
I like SS on you the best. It looks brighter and less heavy.

And for me its hands down the AP.
I like AP in general but I think it delivers the presence of a true watch. Not just because it is an automatic, but also because of the size. The mini and small panthere are quite small IMO (and I have relatively small wrists, with a size 16 love) and if you're going to buy a panthere more to wear like jewelry then I understand. But if you want to use it as a watch and tell time? Too small IMO.
On a side note, AP (and rolex) will retain its value better than panthere.

However, I am a little biased because I already have a panthere and I think subconsciously I gravitate towards things that I don't have but would like to have.

If I had to choose a panthere, it would be the small SS with diamonds.

Here's a post where I tried a variety of Cartier watches. https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/cartier-watch-photo-comparisons-panthere-and-tanks.1057434/ Size is relative though since everyone's wrist size is different.


I do wear my love bracelet with my panthere but I will warn you, the watch will bang up the bracelet quite a bit. (SS vs gold = SS wins) I've even had the accidently cross over each other in a weird way that hurt my wrist. I've tried to put a woven bracelet in between to act as a spacer/buffer but that did nothing lol. But that's probably because I prefer my watches looser so they tend to have more space and move around more. All in all, I knew what I was getting myself into and am fine with it.

 

[Berengeria]

My vote was for "other" because based on what you say you want (a light-weight watch), that fits a casual everyday style, and that you wear a lot of gold jewelry and the black/gray metallic health ring, plus plan to introduce white gold soon, my suggestion would be to not add another metal color. It would be great if you could get the SS & YG panthere with diamonds in small if they sell it again, or if you can find it somewhere else.

Otherwise, I like the SS panthere with diamonds in size small. The stainless with diamonds could work well for your casual style and is a great all-around option.

The AP and rolex are not my favorites in part because they are more "flex" watches imo. Even people who don't know about watches will recognize a rolex from across the room and the AP royal oak is becoming close to as well known. Also, the AP is almost aggressively masculine with that lug nut shape and super sharp edges, which makes it less versatile than the panthere. Your hands are very pretty and feminine, and I feel the AP just looks clunky. The panthere options are much more elegant on you, imo.

I don't love the bulgari watches either. The shape is more like a wonky egg than a snake. In fact, my son came into the room when I was looking at that picture and he asked, "why is that watch shaped like an egg?" I told him it's a snake and he said, "no. No it's not." Then my daughter came over and tilted her head and squinted her eyes and said, "I don't see a snake at all." So, there's that, for what it's worth. lol

Since you asked for possible alternatives, JLC has several options with metal bands and diamonds that are very nice and seem like they would be lightweight and versatile. It's a well-respected but less showy brand as compared to rolex.

There are no wrong decisions though. Whatever YOU like, is what matters.

 

[MiniMabel]

Panthere small yellow gold with diamonds, it's beautiful.

It's a combination of watch and jewellery, with a lovely sparkle, so it stands very well on it's own.

The AP is quite masculine-looking, and quite plain compared to the others, but that's a different vibe so it depends how it fits into your style.

 

[Maria333]

Thank you all so much for sharing your advice and thoughtful insights. It’s incredibly helpful to have so many opinions, and it really made me reconsider rushing into a purchase. I’ve decided to take my time and try on more options, including Rolex and smaller sized AP, before making any decisions. I really appreciate the guidance and will hold off on buying anything for now!