Cartier and bargain are hardly words you would immediately associate together, indeed you might say they are a contradiction in terms – but in this instance you would be wrong!
Whilst I have a couple of old vintage Cartier models, there are two models that always interested me and still available today. Both models, that for myself and others who own them, are both conservative and understated and which do manage that trick of being Classic great buys, whether pristine and just out of the box, or pre-owned. They are, I suppose, models that always tend to sit just under the radar in the “must have” stakes and yet for me personally, out of all Cartier models, these models rate as the definitive Cartier Classics, and given the opportunity, they are a must have.
Maybe one of the reasons why one of my Cartier Tank Solos, is often overlooked, is because it’s quartz, with a stainless steel case and a quality leather strap on a slim deployment. And as Cartier sometimes do and my particular preference, there’s nothing added here, no gold, no diamonds, no frills – instead just a rather deceptively simple “tell the time” dress watch, that somehow, effortlessly, manages timeless elegance with a quiet and discrete Cartier quality.
Elegant in the extreme and dimensionally very sleek in a classic Tank “style” case, this is my compact one, measuring just 27.5 mm x 34 mm and a super sleek 5.6 mm depth, so very neat, compact and dual purpose, as it suits my wife too.
And both models feature the Tank profile that has a flat upper surface profile, which somehow accentuates the sleek look of these models, a subtle change, yes, but one I personally prefer over the rounded profile of some models.
You might also be forgiven for thinking this quartz Cartier is much more expensive than the fact. This is the surprise!
Because even at the retail price, it’s definitely a bargain. Pre-owned, you can get them for around half the retail, at around £1200 and for the date version add another 50% and you’re not far off.
I also have a XL (extra large) 31mm width x 41 lug to lug Ref. 3800 Solo model, which includes the Date and is an Automatic, not quartz and between the two, it’s probably my favourite, with no battery to change – so out of the drawer – a slight shake and we’re in business.
In fact I was so taken with these, that at long last, with a year between them, I firstly bought the quartz (my version is the later 8 year battery one), then the Automatic XL model in a burst of, ‘I’ve just got to have them’ – though in fairness one of them was a present.
Both watches were pre-owned, the condition basically as good as new – and on the wrist – they look really good!
So, elegant, slim and sleek, both absolutely, undisputedly, Classic Cartier – what could be better?
Watch space 