My first Cartier watch - should I get a santos or a french tank?

[benchwarmer]

The santos I tried on is the smallest size... I prefer to have the date on my watch but the larger size just look funny on me

Thanks for telling me the size of the santos. I absolutely LOVE it and can't wait to get one myself. I've seen the santos with the date under the 6. But I don't remember what size it was. I love the simplicity of the tank also but I just prefer it in all SS. I'm in the same boat as you loving those exact two watches. If I were limited to just one, I'd pick the santos bec. I like that one in the two tone and it's important to me to have a two tone watch. BUT if I didn't care about two tone then I'd actually go for the tank francaise in all SS bec. I like that it can go dressy, it gives you more versatility. But what I love about the santos is its sportiness. I think the tank Francaise is more popular now, so if you want to have the watch that more people desire and will admire and is more recognizably cartier then go for the tank. I think the santos isn't as popular anymore but so classic, they'll never stop making it. Those watches are both timeless and will always look current.

If you are really torn, do you think you can get your husband to agree to gift you with the one you don't get later on, like in a year or two? That could take the pressure off your decision.

 

[ririan]

I am bumping my old thread cos my hubby just came back from Europe and bought me my first Cartier watch a Santos Galbee small size in two tone it is so dainty looking!! I had to take 6 links out from the watch!







I m so in love with this watch! Hubby asked if I want another larger watch to alternate with this one.... M seriously thinking of either a French tank full stainless steel in mid size or the adorable santos 100 with pink leather





Any opinion?

 

[makn808]

i've been wearing a ss santos galbee automatic for a dozen years, and i love it just as much as the day i got it. it's such an iconic design, i look forward to passing it to my son's future wife one day!

 

[benchwarmer]

Omygosh you lucky girl!!!! I love it! It looks fabulous on you! And your dh is so sweet as he wants you to have a switch off watch so that you can have variety, how perfect is he? lol

I plan on first getting the exact santos you have, small size and two tone and then the following year going for the all SS tank francaise as an alternative when I don't want yellow gold in my watch. So my vote is for the tank francaise bec. I think you will have more flexibility than a pink leather band would afford. It would seem more limiting wardrobe wise to wear a pink watch, at least for me it would since I wear many colors, baby pink wouldn't go with more than half my wardrobe. I also fear leather bands, I would be nervous to wear out the leather and that it wouldn't look fresh and new. You are very lucky! I feel like next spring (anniversary time) will never get here when I can get the watch and then the following spring when I go for the tank seems an eternity away lol! You're terribly lucky to get to have both with out the wait in between!

 

[foxgal]

Great choice! The Santos looks stunning on you, and think the 100th anniversary of the design makes it very special. Honestly, it does look better on you than the tank

 

[designerdiva40]

I am bumping my old thread cos my hubby just came back from Europe and bought me my first Cartier watch a Santos Galbee small size in two tone it is so dainty looking!! I had to take 6 links out from the watch!

View attachment 1777756



View attachment 1777757

I m so in love with this watch! Hubby asked if I want another larger watch to alternate with this one.... M seriously thinking of either a French tank full stainless steel in mid size or the adorable santos 100 with pink leather



View attachment 1777758

Any opinion?

I just sold the Santos 100 with the pink leather strap......personally I would choose a different colour strap & this is what I did I chose a red but still kept the pink.....The pink gets very dirty even though I am OCD......My Mum bought the same watch & complained of the exact same problem......I sold my Santos 100 & had the pink strap put back on & gave the red strap to my Mum & she is so much happier with her watch now but if you love the pink then get the one you love but I just wanted to warn you that the pink & the light coloured stitching on the strap gets very dirty......I have the mid size SS Tank & personally its an easier watch to wear......The deployment clasp on the Santos 100 seems to move if you don't get it right the first time.

Get the one you love but sometimes its nice to get other peoples opinions & I had my Santos for nearly 3 years so I'm speaking from experience & my Mum has complained of the same issues but there is always a solution you just buy a different strap & the cost of the strap was around £250 from the Cartier boutique. HTH

 

[benchwarmer]

I thought of another reason to go for the tank. If you get another santos it will be as if the only watch face and bezel you ever look at is a santos, whereas if you go for the tank next time around you will look at something and experience something completely different on your wrist. If I were to have two watches to switch off between I'd want them to have two different looks, if not I'd fear that I'd tire of the design sooner from too much of it.

 

[kiwishopper]

I vote Santos too! Different and a bit more edgy