Pre-Owned Spotlight: A Selection Of Cartier Watches To Dream About
Oh, Cartier, you keep seducing me with your Roman numerals, quirky case shapes, and beautiful bracelets. I’m already quite happy with my stainless steel Santos Galbée XL from 2006. But, of course, other designs from the French Maison also appeal to me. This edition of Pre-Owned Spotlight is the perfect opportunity to vent those feelings. That way, I might not actually have to buy another Cartier watch for myself anytime soon.
Last year, I wrote a Pre-Owned Spotlight article full of Cartier CPCP watches. I know, I might be obsessed, but I can’t help it. Cartier’s designs are simply so irresistible. That last article, though, was full of very unattainable, very expensive watches. Today, I’ll try to keep it a bit more toned down and affordable. However, that starts to become harder and harder with prices creeping up and up and up. Anyway, this time, I’ll try to stay within a €10,000 budget.
Cartier Tonneau — The butler
I think it was during a Cartier press presentation last year that I saw someone wearing a Tonneau for the first time. It had a gold case and a beautiful guilloché dial, just like the example I have here for you. It also perfectly matched the classic style of the gentleman who was wearing it. He even let me try it on for a moment, but I forgot to take a wrist shot. Ever since then, though, the Tonneau has been in the back of my mind. Its peculiar design somehow always reminds me of the face of Aloysius Parker, the butler from Thunderbirds, which makes me giggle.
This Jumbo Tonneau, of course, has that characteristically and beautifully curved case. It’s made of 18K yellow gold and holds onto the slim leather strap with the four bold screws on the lugs. The big Roman numerals spread out as if they were printed on a big silver balloon. Finally, the combination of the blue cabochon in the crown and signature blue Cartier hands finish it off perfectly. I think this particular example, which has a price of €9,250, is already reserved for someone. But I’ve seen a few more nice examples on Chrono24 around that price.
Image: Special Dial
Cartier Tank Basculante — The fidget toy
I own a Duoface Reverso, and I can’t tell you how satisfying it is to swivel that case around all day. People ask me sometimes which side I wear the most. I really can’t say since I switch sides multiple times a day. Cartier’s counterpart is, of course, the Tank Basculante. However, the swiveling mechanism works a little differently here. Therefore, it also allows you to put the watch down on a table and use it as a desk clock. And if you’re out and about and worried about damaging your watch, you just turn it around in its case.
It’s true that prices for the Basculante ref. 2390 went up quite a lot in recent years. But you should still be able to find one for well under €10K. The one in the pictures, for example, is on offer from Japan for US$9,500 (roughly €8,735 at the time of publishing). If that’s a little far out for you, there are plenty of other examples out there. Just like with the Reverso, I love how the Tank Basculante combines pure practicality with eminent elegance. And just like our next contender, it’s a watch that can be worn almost all day, every day.
Image: Timeless Finders
Two-tone Cartier Santos Galbée XL — The all-arounder
As mentioned in the intro, I’m very happy with my Cartier Santos Galbée XL ref. 2823 in stainless steel. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I think it’s my favorite watch in my collection. It’s such a nice mix between sportiness and classic watch design. I feel that it never looks out of place in any situation other than maybe a diving trip. Even the scratches on the fully polished bezel make it look even better than it did when it was new. And finally, with its beautiful, uninterrupted bracelet, it wears so comfortably. But…
Image: Timeless Finders
If I had to buy one all over again, I might go for the two-tone version. The yellow gold makes the square bezel and screws on the bracelet stand out even more than on the regular stainless steel model. It also makes the watch more suitable for fancier events, yet it still looks convincingly casual when wearing it with a T-shirt or a sweater. And the good thing is that there’s no big premium if you choose to go two-tone. You should be able to find one for around €5,000, and that’s not a lot more than you’d pay for the stainless steel one.
What would be your pick?
I could write about pre-owned Cartier watches every week if Nacho ever asked me to do so. There are so many beautiful designs and different versions of the same watches out there. It’s true, though, that prices aren’t all that friendly anymore. But that’s part of the hunt and something that helps me not to buy them all.
What would you go for if you were to buy a pre-owned Cartier watch today? Let me know in the comments below.
