Cartier Tank Must - Quartz or Solarbeat?

I voted Solarbeat but if you can get a discount on the quartz that might be the better choice

Yeah I’d get quartz not only for the battery but also I think the strap is nicer. The solarbeat uses a different type of leather (vegan I think) but it doesn’t feel as nice to me. 

Solarbeat for 16 years of maintenance-free enjoyment. 

That’s a very good point to consider indeed. Wouldn’t wear it every day but probably a few times a week. 

it’s true the Quartz strap looks better. Definitely something to consider

I like how the serafs on the numerals touch each other on quartz. They are separated on solar beat and that's how you tell the difference.

I’d go quartz if only to get that Tank on your wrist sooner rather than later

To be honest I haven’t bothered to even check what the vegan leather comes from nor do I have any interest in doing so. A lot of leather products are made from hide used from farm animals which is to be disposed of anyway, so one could argue that natural leather is also recycled. 😩 don’t shoot I know that’s a terrible joke. 

I recently bought a Tank Must and I also have a small wrist (6.5"). 

In my case I chose the "normal quartz" in a large size for the following reasons:

• The battery on the "normal quartz" usually lasts about 6 years.
• They have an extended warranty for 8 years, which also covers the replacement of the battery (the first battery replace free on the Cartier).
• Changing the battery is easy/cheap and almost instantaneously.
• The time interval of servicing the "normal quartz" is about 20 - 25 years and longer.
• The time interval of servicing the solar beat is about 13 years (more services, more costs and more time without the watch in a long run).
• That vegan strap on the solar beat is much inferior that the original leather strap that comes with the "normal quartz".
• The waiting list for a solar beat can make you wait for months and months.
• If you take a look at the watch using a magnifier/macro you will see that the numbers on the  "normal" quartz are painted and have that nice (historically correct)  texture. On the solar beat, the numbers are just framed on the dial. These macros are not mine but they highlight the difference:

Solar beat (framed):

"Normal Quartz" (painted):

In short, I believe that the solar beat is a bit overrated and the "normal quartz" was a great choice for me.

I hope that helps your decision.

I’ve got both - wearing the solarbeat right now. Firstly - great choice - great size and the best watch I’ve bought!
 

To me the only reason on earth to get a quartz would be if you can’t get the large Solarbeat.

• the look of the solarbeat dial is better imho - the crisp slightly sunken numerals.
• you get the same 8 year warranty - you also get 16 years before you need to do anything to it. people have opened them up and it’s a simple rechargeable battery replace when it is needed.
• the vegan strap is made of apples not old skool pu leather. So far it’s held up very well - much better than my leather straps. Warning here - it is on the small side.

the Solar movement is overall more interesting - when you are paying over £2k on a quartz you might as well.

I’m not in a position to change the battery myself. Good point you raised regarding maintenance costs in the long run

Yes, that’s an important point to consider as Quartz is available from now

Thanks a lot for taking the time to write such a long post! 🙏

First of all, congrats for your purchase, it looks so great on your wrist. Your points regarding the dial and strap are very important, the painted numbers look better on the Quartz one. Ideally i would love to see them side by side to compare them.

Thanks for your comment. How did you end up with both models? 😅

Glad to see it’s the best watch you bought. Buyers seem to love this one once they have it. 

Solarbeat for sure. Desperately hoping they make a solarbeat santos!

Well I have the gold tank Louis quartz with painted numerals. So it’s the same but not in steel.

this is honestly a total no brainer. if you can get solarbeat do - if you can’t and you can’t wait - go for quartz. Either way you'll be happy I’m sure!

By the way, how’s the bracelet on the Tank Must? It’s only available on the Quartz model. Is it worth getting the Quartz over the Solarbeat for that reason? 

i feel the Tank looks at its best on a leather strap though 

I bought a third-party metal bracelet. It looks the part in photos but the watch just feels wrong on a bracelet.

PU is polyurethane and not at all “green”.  Technically, there is no such thing as “vegan leather” and I would not own anything labeled as such.

Just as it’s on my wrist I thought worth sharing the state of the Apple strap. Well done to cartier really as it seems to be as robust as leather at least. I’ve worn it a lot.

The strap on the Solar beat is fabricated out of apples sourced from Switzerland and Germany.

The sunken dial of the solarbeat doesn't work for me. I love the painted markers on the quartz. Well both are still quartz then better get what's available besides owning a cartier is about the design and not the movement ☺️

Hi!

Could have bought a new Solarbeat large yesterday and my AD said it’ll be around for a while. Bought a used Blancpain instead and postponed the Solarbeat.

Then she showed me a limited edition tank in platinum, limited to 170 pieces. Naughty girl. It’s on hold while I decide, but if I go ahead, I won’t be getting it the Solarbeat.

Without this, I’d certainly get the Solarbeat to replace the one I have to my mum. I think the extra tech over the quartz is the tipping point, for me at least. But we’re all different.