Regretting my tank francaise …what to do?

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#16
saligator said:
That is a shame. I love love love my TF in mixed metals, but I went with the smaller size.

If your in-laws are open to things like this, then have a discussion with them. If not, the ss band is probably the best idea.

Personally, I'd find a dealer and trade it for the one you truly want. If the in-laws ask you can say you had a style change of heart and didn't want to hurt their feelings, but you are in love with the new one and so grateful for their gorgeous gift, etc. etc.

I had a santos for a long time and one day I just decided it dated me. I traded it in for the watch I have now and I don't regret it for one minute.

Good luck!
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Thanks for your reply! I love hearing about people loving their tf.

I think one of my key issues is the commbination of chosing the large with the mixed metal. That was totaly my call...anyhoo...

You make it sound quite easy. Mabe it would be worth a chat with a dealer.
 
#17
Jhoshopgirl said:
I am in the same situation as you. My MIL bought the two tone lady santos. I really dislike it now because it seems too small of a watch for me. However, I decided to keep it and now it is in the safe doing nothing. I didn't know how to sell it. Also, it didn't seem like it would be worth too much to sell it. Sorry for not being helpful, but I know how you feel.
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Yep..that's me as well. Have you ever thought of exchanging it?
 
#18
saligator said:
Find a dealer who sells pre-owned and new Cartier (authorized dealer) and ask about a trade-in.

I did that for my Santos about 5 years ago. I'm not sure if Cartier still has authorized dealers in the US that do that. I ended up having to pay more for the watch, but the loss of money was worth the gain in style. I got 20% off on the new one at the time and upgraded from SS to SS/YG on the band. So worth it.
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I'll definitely have a chat with an authorized dealer. It's good to find out me choices. I live in the UK. Hopefully I can find one here.....
 
#19
smalls said:
I would do 1 or 3. I would not sell a gift from my in-laws to buy another watch. I say this because my in-laws gave me a Tiffany & co purse one year for Christmas. They worked so hard to track it down after seeing it in a catalog and this was when Tiffany first started making handbags. When I got the bag I felt it was just too big for me and that I wouldn't carry it so I ended up exchanging it for some jewelry. Although I love the jewelry I picked and wear it I to this day still feel total guilt that I exchanged their gift. I told them I did this and why since the bag was too big and they never made me feel bad or gave me a hard time about it, but I vowed after that to never exchange a gift from them again since it has really weighed on me since I did that. In your situation since you actually had the choice to pick what you want even if you were influenced one way or another you had the final decision so I would just stick with it or alter it and try to change the band. It is even more meaningful that your dh has a coordinating one and that it marked your engagement.
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Thanks for your reply. You're right on both points. I did chose it, which in a way is why I regret it more. Because I have only myself to blame:p Also, I would never want to hurt their feelings in any way. It would just be such a wrong reply to their gift.
Ps Dh got a watch as well, but not coordinatng one.
 
#20
Thany you all for your helpful advise!!:urock:

I realized that I used the wrong word on my first post. Instead of "screw", I meant the watch crown. Cartier was willing to sell a ss bracelet, but the crown would remain gold. Do you think that would look bad? Kind of weird? Does anybody know if I can change the crown as well?
I don't want to ruin the watch! I would keep the two tone bracelet for future use.
 
#21
akoko said:
This is the option I'm leaning towards. The bracelet can be changed, but I dont think the crown (which is gold) can. Do you think that would look bad? or would it pass un-noticed?
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I don't think that would be noticeable.

I just had another thought. Can you rhodium dip the whole thing to turn the YG to WG?
 
#22
lanasyogamama said:
I don't think that would be noticeable.

I just had another thought. Can you rhodium dip the whole thing to turn the YG to WG?
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Hi! that's an interesting idea. I don't think I chould do it though...You have to absolutelly trust whoever does it, to make sure that the watch wont be ruined. And the are subtle differences in the metal that cartier uses (brushed differently). It would propably look like a fake if this is lost. It was a very original idea!! Thanks for your imput!
 
#24
akoko said:
Thanks for your reply! I love hearing about people loving their tf.

I think one of my key issues is the commbination of chosing the large with the mixed metal. That was totaly my call...anyhoo...

You make it sound quite easy. Mabe it would be worth a chat with a dealer.
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The key here is AUTHORIZED DEALER. Avoid shops that claim to sell Cartier unless you have it on trusted authority that they are the real deal. It needs to be an authentic official authorised dealer.

Asking about a trade-in is not uncommon because there is a market for used ones due to the popularity of the brand.
 
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#25
Hi,
In terms of authorised dealer in London, you could check out a watch shop in Westfield. I'm sure I saw a watch shop near HOF which carries Cartier, Chopard etc...
As for pre-owned market, I think either Goldsmith and Ernest Jones do buy and sell some luxury watches (also in Westfield). I saw top brands like Rolex, Dior etc..there for second hand market.
Last but not least you can try Burlington Arcade, they have lots of reputable pre-owned shops there such as David Duggan. There is also one shop in Clerkenwell road which do sell and buy luxury watches.
Maybe you can trade in your watch for another watch, say Patek Phillipe?
Just an idea..I hope this information is helpful.
 
#26
I would ask your DH about how his parents would feel it you exchanged it.

Just another opinion on the gifting issue. I feel once I give a gift or money donation, I no longer have any interest in that item. Its no longer mine & the giftee has the right to do with what they want. If they trade it in for something else, what do I care? Don't see it as any kind of slam to our relationship. My relationship with people is in my heart, not on the item gifted. I'd want them to be happy. Nothing replaces the feelings one has for people. That is what is in ones heart. Not an item that can be stolen, destroyed, etc.
Who knows how the parents would feel? Only they could tell you.
So right now it has a two tone gold band? If you do replace the band make sure you safe keep it. There will be a day when you want to put that one back on.
 
#27
stmary said:
Hi,
In terms of authorised dealer in London, you could check out a watch shop in Westfield. I'm sure I saw a watch shop near HOF which carries Cartier, Chopard etc...
As for pre-owned market, I think either Goldsmith and Ernest Jones do buy and sell some luxury watches (also in Westfield). I saw top brands like Rolex, Dior etc..there for second hand market.
Last but not least you can try Burlington Arcade, they have lots of reputable pre-owned shops there such as David Duggan. There is also one shop in Clerkenwell road which do sell and buy luxury watches.
Maybe you can trade in your watch for another watch, say Patek Phillipe?
Just an idea..I hope this information is helpful.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much!! This is extremely helpful!!!!:flowers:
 
#28
Vegas Long Legs said:
I would ask your DH about how his parents would feel it you exchanged it.

Just another opinion on the gifting issue. I feel once I give a gift or money donation, I no longer have any interest in that item. Its no longer mine & the giftee has the right to do with what they want. If they trade it in for something else, what do I care? Don't see it as any kind of slam to our relationship. My relationship with people is in my heart, not on the item gifted. I'd want them to be happy. Nothing replaces the feelings one has for people. That is what is in ones heart. Not an item that can be stolen, destroyed, etc.
Who knows how the parents would feel? Only they could tell you.
So right now it has a two tone gold band? If you do replace the band make sure you safe keep it. There will be a day when you want to put that one back on.
Click to expand...

I completely agree with you. This is my attitude to gift -giving as well. It's just that in this case is is such a big gift, with the best intensions. I don't want to stir the pot if it might cause the slightest hurt feelings.

Beeing able to switch back to the original 2 tone bracelet is one of the main reasons I'm leaning towards this option. Otherwise I would exchanve it for a Ballon Bleu. But, it would mean that I "loose" money/value, as I would go for the ss one....
 
#29
Hi OP,

Oh no! It was a present that was meant to bring you joy but instead it is making you unhappy. Have you spoken to your DH? He might be able to broach it with your in-laws better than you?

Have you been in and tried the SS irl? Because if you have tried it on and are happy with SS then you should definitely change the bracelet.

I am also having buyers remorse about my tank anglaise so know how you feel...I hope you resolve it and get the outcome that makes you feel 'right' about whatever choice you end up making. Best of Luck!!!!
 
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