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Rolex or Cartier watch?

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D

diiorme

Member
Mar 2, 2023
26
9
#1
Hello! I want to buy my first, forever, and most likely only expensive watch.
I’m trying to decide between the Cartier panthere (I also want to try on the Cartier tank watch when I go to the boutique)
Or the Rolex datejust.
I feel like that is what most people decide between.
I’m not really buying it for the watch itself, more so a jewelry piece.
But also something I can dress up or wear more casually.
I am such a big fan of Cartier I have many many Cartier pieces so initially this is what I gravitated to. (I don’t know much about Rolex honestly)

I am 30, female, two young kids, dress very casually on a day to day basis.. leggings, sneakers.
But I love my jewelry & I prefer yellow gold. 90% of my jewelry is yellow gold.

Looking for some advice from anyone with any of these watches. Which one do you have and/or recommend?
Also is the Cartier panthere and Rolex datejust roughly the same price points ?

Is Rolex hard/ easy to get? I’ve never been to a Rolex boutique before. But I know Cartier will be easy to get my hands on.

Thanks !!
 
#2
The Datejust has a lot of variations — even more than the Panthere! Rolex has a fun (for nerds like me) configurator online where you can configure your ideal watch and see how much it costs. Then you can compare with the Panthere.

But on availability, you are right that it’s much harder to get than a Panthere. Try visiting a Rolex boutique or authorized distributor, showing your interest and seeing what they have available. It will likely take longer to get the Rolex than the Panthere, unless you get lucky and they have one in store that you want.
 
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#3
The two watches have very different vibes. The datejust is in a sports watch style, which suggests more casual, although especially in gold, it is very appropriate for business. The panthere is dressier, especially in gold. Both are pretty versatile, but broadly speaking, I would say that if your style is more jeans and tshirts, the datejust might be more suitable but if you wear more feminine or formal clothes, then the panthere might be a better fit.

Keep in mind that a rolex is very, very recognizable. Even people who don't know anything about watches, will recognize a rolex from across the room. This may or may not be appealing to you. I never wear my rolex because of this. Literally every time I wear it I get some kind of comment on it, often a sarcastic one about being "fancy" or "ooh la la" or some obnoxious thing like that. The panthere is still recognizable but really only by people who are into fashion. No one ever comments on it unless I'm at a jewelry or watch store and then the sales people say it's a nice watch.
 
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#4
Berengeria said:
Keep in mind that a rolex is very, very recognizable. Even people who don't know anything about watches, will recognize a rolex from across the room. This may or may not be appealing to you. I never wear my rolex because of this. Literally every time I wear it I get some kind of comment on it, often a sarcastic one about being "fancy" or "ooh la la" or some obnoxious thing like that. The panthere is still recognizable but really only by people who are into fashion. No one ever comments on it unless I'm at a jewelry or watch store and then the sales people say it's a nice watch.
Click to expand...

This is a really good point. I like my Datejust a lot but definitely don’t wear it as much as I'd like, locally or while traveling, because of the crime risk. I only feel safe wearing it to work.
 
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#5
I'm debating between the same watches, leaning towards panthere because of the reasons mentioned above (crime, recognizability). A couple of additional things on my mind is (1) weight and comfort, I feel like panthere is much lighter and more comfortable for everyday; (2) versatility, I think panthere is more versatile, it looks great with leggings and with an evening dress (even in SS), while datejust is more sporty (even in gold). (3) The price point for panthere is generally much lower, small SS panthere will be half price of the simplest datejust. (4) Availability for panthere is always there, while you'll need to hunt for the datejust, which I hate to admit, but makes me want the datejust more.
 
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#6
Cartier SS option is low key whereas, as others noted, Rolex is obvious. Both great watches.
If you live in a safe country-Switzerland and Japan come to mind - or a least in a safe neighbourhood go for either of the two depending what appeals to you most.
Personally I would not buy a Rolex. If you live in Paris, London, Rome, Birmingham or any big city really, wearing a Rolex comes with a risk. I would not wear it for fear of becoming a victim of crime. Might never happen to you but the risk is there.

(Edit: Unless you wear a long sleeve all the time)
 
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#8
Berengeria said:
The two watches have very different vibes. The datejust is in a sports watch style, which suggests more casual, although especially in gold, it is very appropriate for business. The panthere is dressier, especially in gold. Both are pretty versatile, but broadly speaking, I would say that if your style is more jeans and tshirts, the datejust might be more suitable but if you wear more feminine or formal clothes, then the panthere might be a better fit.

Keep in mind that a rolex is very, very recognizable. Even people who don't know anything about watches, will recognize a rolex from across the room. This may or may not be appealing to you. I never wear my rolex because of this. Literally every time I wear it I get some kind of comment on it, often a sarcastic one about being "fancy" or "ooh la la" or some obnoxious thing like that. The panthere is still recognizable but really only by people who are into fashion. No one ever comments on it unless I'm at a jewelry or watch store and then the sales people say it's a nice watch.
Click to expand...
That is the exact reason I don’t want a Rolex. I love how Cartier is a bit quieter, and only recognizable for people who know Cartier. I find Rolex to be too “flashy” and almost a status symbol. While I find the panthere is just beautiful and elegant.
& I honestly love wearing dressier jewelry with casual/sporty outfits.
I feel like the panthere is more “different” which I like, but I am afraid the panthere kind of goes in and out of trendiness… while Rolex does not do this. If that makes any sense !
lalame said:
This is a really good point. I like my Datejust a lot but definitely don’t wear it as much as I'd like, locally or while traveling, because of the crime risk. I only feel safe wearing it to work.
Click to expand...
okay.. that’s definitely something I don’t want to feel…. I mean where I live Rolex’s are very popular and I’m not too worried about crime…. But I am
Maria333 said:
I'm debating between the same watches, leaning towards panthere because of the reasons mentioned above (crime, recognizability). A couple of additional things on my mind is (1) weight and comfort, I feel like panthere is much lighter and more comfortable for everyday; (2) versatility, I think panthere is more versatile, it looks great with leggings and with an evening dress (even in SS), while datejust is more sporty (even in gold). (3) The price point for panthere is generally much lower, small SS panthere will be half price of the simplest datejust. (4) Availability for panthere is always there, while you'll need to hunt for the datejust, which I hate to admit, but makes me want the datejust more.
Click to expand...
honestly everything you just said is exactly what I’m thinking too! Which panthere would you want ?
Whats the price of the most simplest datejust?
 
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#9
diiorme said:
That is the exact reason I don’t want a Rolex. I love how Cartier is a bit quieter, and only recognizable for people who know Cartier. I find Rolex to be too “flashy” and almost a status symbol. While I find the panthere is just beautiful and elegant.
& I honestly love wearing dressier jewelry with casual/sporty outfits.
I feel like the panthere is more “different” which I like, but I am afraid the panthere kind of goes in and out of trendiness… while Rolex does not do this. If that makes any sense !

okay.. that’s definitely something I don’t want to feel…. I mean where I live Rolex’s are very popular and I’m not too worried about crime…. But I am

honestly everything you just said is exactly what I’m thinking too! Which panthere would you want ?
Whats the price of the most simplest datejust?
Click to expand...
You can play with the Configure tool online on Rolex website to see prices for various datejust options. Here's an example, the simplest one is about $7k.
 

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#11
This is from personal experience, I have never had an issue trying to obtain a Rolex. Every time I have gone into one of their stores to try them on and consider purchasing, I am shown what they have available immediately and told if I want something very specific that they do not have readily available for sale it would be max 60-90 days to receive. I think there is a bit of myth of scarcity with them, kind of like some handbags so do not let that be a consideration IMO.

As far as appearance goes, I personally prefer Cartier a tiny bit. I believe they are a more classic, understated but recognizable watch. With that said, I still every now and then *almost* purchase a Rolex and would never say never. I just never love them more than my Cartier watches. I am a bit of a classic style though and I prefer the style of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.

The third consideration is what other jewelry do you wear? I wear a lot of Cartier in rose gold which as you may know, it fades a bit. When I have tried on Rolex, the biggest issue for me is that I do not like stainless steel but their yellow gold clashes a bit with my faded rose gold Cartier jewelry. Rolex's pink gold/everrose is VERY pink and does not fade according to their sales people so it's a little too pink/coppery looking on me. So that for me is what has stopped me from purchasing them as well.

Let us know what you decide! You cannot go wrong with either choice.
 
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#13
These are the watches I want to try on at Cartier, and possibly see some tank options as well but my heart is set on yellow gold panthere, and I actually think I prefer no diamonds.

I love Rolex too but I have no idea what I’d want/try on. And that’s another reason I’m not sure about choosing Rolex over Cartier. Because I haven’t had any Rolex watches in mind that I have wanted. For Rolex I’d most likely do some type of steel configuration because my sister in law already has the all gold one. And I don’t want the same watch as her although I prefer yellow gold.
 

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#15
I got the tank and oddly enough I have not really worn since Covid and lock down since I didn't go anywhere - I need to start wearing it more but I got it sized and now years later I find it a bit tight on my wrist. 🙄:annoyed:
 
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