Which Cartier for wife while Rolex in for service?

[DJMC]

Her bi-metal OP DJ silver DD dial is in for a service and new glass. It looks like this...



...and so she "fancies" something to take its place for the next 2-3 months.

Looked at the Cartier Panthere 27mm to start with...



But now prefers the Santos Galbee 29mm.

But which is better, all steel or Bi-Metal?...





She can't decide! Here's an all steel on her wrist...





I realise it's down to personal preference, but does anyone have any "reasons" why she should choose one over the other?
Is 29mm too big?
Her Rolex is her only watch (so far).

Here it is with a different bracelet...



Her engagement ring is yellow gold/rubies/diamonds, wedding ring platinum with thin yellow gold edges.

Thanks for any opinions.

Edited by DJMC on Sunday 30th April 21:32

[Sheetmaself]

I would suggest the bi-metal is very close to the Rolex for style whereas the steel version would sit happily alongside when the Rolex is back as a second watch.

For me would depend if you plan on moving the Cartier on when the Rolex is back or keep it.

[So]

DJMC said:

Her bi-metal OP DJ silver DD dial is in for a service and new glass. It looks like this...



...and so she "fancies" something to take its place for the next 2-3 months.

Looked at the Cartier Panthere 27mm to start with...



But now prefers the Santos Galbee 29mm.

But which is better, all steel or Bi-Metal?...





She can't decide! Here's an all steel on her wrist...





I realise it's down to personal preference, but does anyone have any "reasons" why she should choose one over the other?
Is 29mm too big?
Her Rolex is her only watch (so far).

Here it is with a different bracelet...



Her engagement ring is yellow gold/rubies/diamonds, wedding ring platinum with thin yellow gold edges.

Thanks for any opinions.

Edited by DJMC on Sunday 30th April 21:32

,
Okay, some points,

If the Rolex has gone back to Rolex it should not in theeory be away that long. They have reduced turnaround to about a month. There is the possibility that you'll need to send it back to them to do the job properly though.

Also, I like to see a woman wear a Cartier. I find it rare that a woman wearing one isn't worth talking to.

On the bi-metal vs steel - I prefer the steel but the bi metal will go better with her other jewellery.

[DJMC]

My wife always wear an 18k white gold and diamond bracelet (see above) next to the Rolex.

She wants to know if the diamonds are more likely to scratch the Cartier steel than they are the Rolex steel when the bracelet flips over, diamond to steel?

In other words, is Cartier steel less hard than Rolex?

[So]

DJMC said:

My wife always wear an 18k white gold and diamond bracelet (see above) next to the Rolex.

She wants to know if the diamonds are more likely to scratch the Cartier steel than they are the Rolex steel when the bracelet flips over, diamond to steel?

In other words, is Cartier steel less hard than Rolex?

If there's any difference it will be of little relevance I'd have thought. You've got a white gold setting and diamonds rubbing up against a stainless steel surface. Damage to both the watch and bracelet will occur.

The Rolex probably has polished sides to the case, so scratches may be less noticeable. The Cartier, being brushed, will show bright scratches more.

Personally I dislike seeing people wearing any other jewellery adjacent to a watch because of the risk of damage. But if that's the look she wants, that's her business.

[DJMC]

So said:

If there's any difference it will be of little relevance I'd have thought. You've got a white gold setting and diamonds rubbing up against a stainless steel surface. Damage to both the watch and bracelet will occur.

The Rolex probably has polished sides to the case, so scratches may be less noticeable. The Cartier, being brushed, will show bright scratches more.

Personally I dislike seeing people wearing any other jewellery adjacent to a watch because of the risk of damage. But if that's the look she wants, that's her business.

I'd have thought scratches would show more to a polished steel surface and less on a brushed one?

[Zoon]

Is it worth buying a relatively expensive watch for 2-3 months?
Will it ever get worn again.

[DJMC]

Zoon said:

Is it worth buying a relatively expensive watch for 2-3 months?
Will it ever get worn again.

In reality I think she has the intention of keeping it and the Rolex, hence the thought to buy the all steel Santos for a different look, size, style, and tone. But then again, the only reason she's considering it is her being parted from her Rolex.

A second quality watch also gives me more leverage to buy a GMT to add to my bi-metal DJ, for the same reasons.
But then again I'm almost over buying a GMT as I type.

[So]

DJMC said:

So said:

If there's any difference it will be of little relevance I'd have thought. You've got a white gold setting and diamonds rubbing up against a stainless steel surface. Damage to both the watch and bracelet will occur.

The Rolex probably has polished sides to the case, so scratches may be less noticeable. The Cartier, being brushed, will show bright scratches more.

Personally I dislike seeing people wearing any other jewellery adjacent to a watch because of the risk of damage. But if that's the look she wants, that's her business.

I'd have thought scratches would show more to a polished steel surface and less on a brushed one?

No. Scratches tend to be bright so they stand out more against a brushed backdrop.

[DJMC]

We went out to try the Santos on again and she was sidetracked by a Tank Anglaise, small, which she now prefers...




As here: http://www.cartier.co.uk/en-gb/collections/watches...

Now of course I have to research another strange (to me) range of watches. Why is the Anglaise so much more than the Francaise?
Why is the Solo cheaper than both? Which watch will she decide she likes "best" when we next go out...?

Any views on Tanks anyone?

Here's someone with a Francaise next to an Anglaise, just to show the difference twixt those...

Edited by DJMC on Wednesday 3rd May 16:04

[Zoon]

DJMC said:

Zoon said:

Is it worth buying a relatively expensive watch for 2-3 months?
Will it ever get worn again.

In reality I think she has the intention of keeping it and the Rolex, hence the thought to buy the all steel Santos for a different look, size, style, and tone. But then again, the only reason she's considering it is her being parted from her Rolex.

A second quality watch also gives me more leverage to buy a GMT to add to my bi-metal DJ, for the same reasons.
But then again I'm almost over buying a GMT as I type.

That's a good enough reason.

[So]

DJMC said:

We went out to try the Santos on again and she was sidetracked by a Tank Anglaise, small, which she now prefers...




As here: http://www.cartier.co.uk/en-gb/collections/watches...

Now of course I have to research another strange (to me) range of watches. Why is the Anglaise so much more than the Francaise?
Why is the Solo cheaper than both? Which watch will she decide she likes "best" when we next go out...?

Any views on Tanks anyone?

Here's someone with a Francaise next to an Anglaise, just to show the difference twixt those...

Edited by DJMC on Wednesday 3rd May 16:04

The Tank Francaise is a lovely design. One of my favourites for a ladies watch. It will however get battered by that bracelet because it has both sharp edges and a brushed finish.

If you're going to buy a Cartier get a tank of some description.

[steve2]

My wife has a Panthere which I bought from Dom Hackett a couple of years ago but this weekend I got her a Tank Francaise which I have hidden away for her birthday, she has never fancied a Rolex.

[So]

steve2 said:

My wife has a Panthere which I bought from Dom Hackett a couple of years ago but this weekend I got her a Tank Francaise which I have hidden away for her birthday, she has never fancied a Rolex.

She'll love it.

[DJMC]

OK, she's tried all the likely suspects and has settled on Tank Francaise mid size WSTA0005 on Cartier's website:
watches/womens-watches/tank/tank-francaise/wsta0005%20tank%20f

Found a brand new one with 25% off, but just before we buy... what's the difference between this and the mid sized one I'm finding used with model number W51003Q3 ???

They look identical. Does Cartier make modifications and then use a new model number, like Rolex does?

[So]

DJMC said:

OK, she's tried all the likely suspects and has settled on Tank Francaise mid size WSTA0005 on Cartier's website:
watches/womens-watches/tank/tank-francaise/wsta0005%20tank%20f

Found a brand new one with 25% off, but just before we buy... what's the difference between this and the mid sized one I'm finding used with model number W51003Q3 ???

They look identical. Does Cartier make modifications and then use a new model number, like Rolex does?

Don't know. But if you manage to spin this out just a bit longer the Rolex will have returned.

[DJMC]

So said:

Don't know. But if you manage to spin this out just a bit longer the Rolex will have returned.

Haha, she's telling me she may sell the Rolex... yeah right. Retailer is selling off Cartier's at a discount as they are "unpopular" and they are ending their Cartier agency. What IS popular?
Rolex... Rolex, Rolex, Rolex. They are a Rolex dealer and can't get enough of them.
When will the over-popular Rolex bubble burst I wonder?

Meanwhile, here's today's bargain find, on hold for her currently...

[So]

DJMC said:

So said:

Don't know. But if you manage to spin this out just a bit longer the Rolex will have returned.

Haha, she's telling me she may sell the Rolex... yeah right. Retailer is selling off Cartier's at a discount as they are "unpopular" and they are ending their Cartier agency. What IS popular?
Rolex... Rolex, Rolex, Rolex. They are a Rolex dealer and can't get enough of them.
When will the over-popular Rolex bubble burst I wonder?

Meanwhile, here's today's bargain find, on hold for her currently...

Nice. Needs a link or two putting in though. The Tank Franc wears better like a bracelet.

[DJMC]

It's quite loose, just the way photo taken, needs a link or two taking out she thinks?

[So]

DJMC said:

It's quite loose, just the way photo taken, needs a link or two taking out she thinks?

She's the one that's going to wear it. But the Tank Franc is one watch that I think suits being loose and sliding up and down the wrist a bit.



That diamond bracelet still gives me the heeby jeebies though, can't you encourage her to wear it on the other wrist?