I don't buy Cartier or other brands

[mocktail]

Maybe we can turn this into a positive convo. I’d love to hear about why people haven’t bought from different brands (haven’t loved anything, haven’t seen in person yet, doesn’t fit personal style, etc.). No need to insult anyone else’s taste or choices

Brands I haven’t bought from, in no particular order:

• Harry Winston: some great designs, but other stuff is higher on my wishlist
• Messika: their items are very cool but not my vibe; love seeing it on others, though
• Chaumet: I am in looovvvee with some of their designs and hope to add something in the future but it’ll probably be a while (like, years)
• Fope: super cool designs, not my aesthetic but I appreciate them
• Rolex: I kinda want a watch but I wear bracelets on both wrists and wouldn’t want to stack with a watch so not sure if I’d wear one
• Bvulgari: would love to add a serpenti ring, but my husband doesn’t like snakes and it’s not on the top of my list at the moment. I need to expose him to the brand more before I buy. He doesn’t need to like my purchases, but I don’t want to have anything that he actively dislikes when I can get other things I love without causing him to have negative feelings

I have 2 Cartier pieces currently and more on my wishlist.

 

[foxgal]

Maybe we can turn this into a positive convo. I’d love to hear about why people haven’t bought from different brands (haven’t loved anything, haven’t seen in person yet, doesn’t fit personal style, etc.). No need to insult anyone else’s taste or choices

Brands I haven’t bought from, in no particular order:

• Harry Winston: some great designs, but other stuff is higher on my wishlist
• Messika: their items are very cool but not my vibe; love seeing it on others, though
• Chaumet: I am in looovvvee with some of their designs and hope to add something in the future but it’ll probably be a while (like, years)
• Fope: super cool designs, not my aesthetic but I appreciate them
• Rolex: I kinda want a watch but I wear bracelets on both wrists and wouldn’t want to stack with a watch so not sure if I’d wear one
• Bvulgari: would love to add a serpenti ring, but my husband doesn’t like snakes and it’s not on the top of my list at the moment. I need to expose him to the brand more before I buy. He doesn’t need to like my purchases, but I don’t want to have anything that he actively dislikes when I can get other things I love without causing him to have negative feelings

I have 2 Cartier pieces currently and more on my wishlist.

Great way to re-direct the convo!

I can totally relate to the OP’s frustration…I’ve regularly had conversations like this with myself and have posted previously on tPF how I don’t want to support some luxury companies. Namely, anything LVMH after watching “Kingdom of Dreams” about Bernard Arnault’s profiteering from depressed family-owned companies. And Hermes because of their games. That said, I do like products from these companies and buy preloved when I do want something.

As for Cartier, I only have a JUC ring and have been considering a Love bracelet. If I can find anything of equal quality from a small independent brand, I’d buy that. But sometimes the OG is the best possible option!

 

[honey52]

Maybe we can turn this into a positive convo. I’d love to hear about why people haven’t bought from different brands (haven’t loved anything, haven’t seen in person yet, doesn’t fit personal style, etc.). No need to insult anyone else’s taste or choices

Brands I haven’t bought from, in no particular order:

• Harry Winston: some great designs, but other stuff is higher on my wishlist
• Messika: their items are very cool but not my vibe; love seeing it on others, though
• Chaumet: I am in looovvvee with some of their designs and hope to add something in the future but it’ll probably be a while (like, years)
• Fope: super cool designs, not my aesthetic but I appreciate them
• Rolex: I kinda want a watch but I wear bracelets on both wrists and wouldn’t want to stack with a watch so not sure if I’d wear one
• Bvulgari: would love to add a serpenti ring, but my husband doesn’t like snakes and it’s not on the top of my list at the moment. I need to expose him to the brand more before I buy. He doesn’t need to like my purchases, but I don’t want to have anything that he actively dislikes when I can get other things I love without causing him to have negative feelings

I have 2 Cartier pieces currently and more on my wishlist.

Oh harry winston is a dream but there are no real accessible signature pieces. Nothing in the 3-7k range that is iconically them. That’s where van Cleef got me. Same with Cartier.

Messika is not my taste, chaumet is hard for me to see in person. I’ve never heard of Fope. Rolex is just like Hermes with their games. (Like excuse me why do you recommend I stop by every several months, like pop in to bother an SA? And make small talk? Bc there’s no knick knacks to buy… so…)

Bvulgari may be something I’d be interested in!

 

[Swanky]

Oh harry winston is a dream but there are no real accessible signature pieces. Nothing in the 3-7k range that is iconically them. That’s where van Cleef got me. Same with Cartier.

Messika is not my taste, chaumet is hard for me to see in person. I’ve never heard of Fope. Rolex is just like Hermes with their games. (Like excuse me why do you recommend I stop by every several months, like pop in to bother an SA? And make small talk? Bc there’s no knick knacks to buy… so…)

Bvulgari may be something I’d be interested in!

I’ve purchased Rolex easily, no games. Their inventory dipped big time around Covid, but it’s picked back up. Maybe some stockings have prioritized clientele, but thats not Rolex fault imo.
Have you tried, or have you heard there’s issues?

 

[DaintyDiamonds]

Weird. I've voluntarily donated a large portion of my time to community service and volunteerism for most of my life and my company sponsors worthy causes. Never made a dime but the rewards are great. In turn I or my husband reward myself with something sparkly because we can afford it and it brings me great joy. Could that money have been donated to feed the hungry? (Jesus, if you are a believer, had a lot to say about that and I'm in agreement with him.) Sure. You can say the same about any "luxury" or optional purchase. Next we plan to drop a lot of money on a European vacation. You can same the same about that or anything at all. I'm not a nun who made a vow of poverty. I have deep respect for nuns, that wasn't an insult. I'm a material girl.

 

[chareen]

I think OP is implying that his Cartier love pave bangle and trinity pave ring are inherited or gifted. A little odd he was looking for inspirational pics for other Cartier pave bangles. Baffling indeed, but to each his own.

Wrong forum to join for sure! But then again, I just came across this thread in TPF’s the Jewelry Box. I haven’t seen it before. Funny read that OP may enjoy.

https://forum.purseblog.com/threads/whats-your-unpopular-jewelry-opinion.1033318/

As far as custom designers, he may go to a company like Mark Broumand in Downtown LA. Independent private custom jeweler. Quality is pretty up there, very reasonably priced, and he ships items abroad like the UK. Not sure about Europe. Very nice guy. Family owned business.

Good luck to OP! Hope you have a good holiday.

 

[honey52]

I’ve purchased Rolex easily, no games. Their inventory dipped big time around Covid, but it’s picked back up. Maybe some stockings have prioritized clientele, but thats not Rolex fault imo.
Have you tried, or have you heard there’s issues?

Yes! I tried. I put my name on the list a year ago and never heard anything. When I moved I actually had to ask the last store to remove that item from my wishlist so this store could add it. And she was the one I suggested that I pop by every few months or so. (Is that code for they have a bunch and will offer if I stop by?) bc I really don’t want to stop by and what, ask to talk to the SA and shoot the breeze with her.

 

[cwhit]

Yes! I tried. I put my name on the list a year ago and never heard anything. When I moved I actually had to ask the last store to remove that item from my wishlist so this store could add it. And she was the one I suggested that I pop by every few months or so. (Is that code for they have a bunch and will offer if I stop by?) bc I really don’t want to stop by and what, ask to talk to the SA and shoot the breeze with her.

Do they sell other jewelry at your Rolex store? My understanding is that they want you to “stop in” and purchase more items on a regular basis to move up the clientele list and qualify for the watch.

 

[honey52]

Do they sell other jewelry at your Rolex store? My understanding is that they want you to “stop in” and purchase more items on a regular basis to move up the clientele list and qualify for the watch.

No this one is a Rolex Rolex store not attached to like a mayors that have other watches and jewelry

 

[papertiger]

It's an important point. Sometimes we need to reflect on why we buy what and sometimes why we don't.

I love the legacy of Cartier and I am usually happy to save for and my next piece. I enjoy wearing Cartier every day and no one knows (unless they know). I love the simplicity and projected meaning one can ascribe to simple Modern jewellery. Happily, I am not a slave for Cartier as I am luckily free to make my own decisions, spend my own money. I dislike the aggressive and ruthless strategy and micro operations of many of the large luxury companies that actually don't make anything but money. I wholeheartedly believe in the craftspeople, creatives and retail teams hard work that go into making beautiful, long lasting and meaningful jewellery. Prices are irrelevant. If I can afford something, great, if I can't, I go without. That's exclusivity for you.

Maybe we can turn this into a positive convo. I’d love to hear about why people haven’t bought from different brands (haven’t loved anything, haven’t seen in person yet, doesn’t fit personal style, etc.). No need to insult anyone else’s taste or choices

Brands I haven’t bought from, in no particular order:

• Harry Winston: some great designs, but other stuff is higher on my wishlist
• Messika: their items are very cool but not my vibe; love seeing it on others, though
• Chaumet: I am in looovvvee with some of their designs and hope to add something in the future but it’ll probably be a while (like, years)
• Fope: super cool designs, not my aesthetic but I appreciate them
• Rolex: I kinda want a watch but I wear bracelets on both wrists and wouldn’t want to stack with a watch so not sure if I’d wear one
• Bvulgari: would love to add a serpenti ring, but my husband doesn’t like snakes and it’s not on the top of my list at the moment. I need to expose him to the brand more before I buy. He doesn’t need to like my purchases, but I don’t want to have anything that he actively dislikes when I can get other things I love without causing him to have negative feelings

I have 2 Cartier pieces currently and more on my wishlist.

The why the don'ts are more because I don't have an unlimited budget and the Cartier aesthetic works for me best. It's about the design aspect otherwise another gold ring/pin/booch etc is just another gold ring/pin/booch. Cartier is Cartier. I wish I'd bought more earlier (said everyone )

• Harry Winston is not a brand that's so popular in the UK, Graff and De Beers are more popular with more conservatively designed, diamond-set pieces. Diamonds are not my favourite stone and when spending 'heavy' money on something gems, I would prefer to go vintage for an old mine or rose cut.
• I like some Bulgari Serpenti / Cabochon, I like some Pomellato Boucheron and Buccellati too. Obviously, not enough. I hope you get the green light on your desired Serpenti.
• I don't know Messika, but Chaumet, Chopart, Boodles, commercial lines of VCA and many other popular jewellers are too...searching for right words. To fancy, fine, conventional, trendy for me.
• I feel like you about Fope, same with David Morris and other design-led jewellers. I would keep if it were a present, but it's not what I would buy myself.
• No hard rules. Fashion brand fine jewellery like Dior, Chanel and Prada don't excite me at all, but the odd Hermes and Gucci do. If I could work it into my budget, some of Saint Laurent's pieces would be mine.
• I have Rolex, JLC, Omega and others, but they are all very vintage and not at all fashionable. I wouldn't swap new for my old, all the new watches I like look vintage anyway.