Is the Must Solarbeat the most important Cartier release of the year?

Super interested in this one because, to me, Cartier is to design as JLC is to engineering - they go hand in hand yet also differ invariably.

That being said, this watch feels like an olive branch. Light powered w/ 15yr service interval and not-really-leather leather. It might be a small step if you consider practices the world over, but a step is a step, and I respect that.

Now if only a certain shortage could stop strangling my access to this and a 3090...

Well said with the Cartier-JLC comparison!  I put money down in Oct and just got it 4+ months later with minimal updates in the interim 🤦‍♂️. Supply struggles are real!

I talked with my AD about the watch when it was announced, he was not happy. He has personally an issue with the 15 years due to the lack of check for the gaskets. he said that at a normal watch (mechanical or quartz) they check the gaskets when it’s opened for revision or battery exchange. Here 15y it is not opened what could cause problems with the water tightness. 

Apart from that I find the watch awesome. And I celebrate that they stay true to the original small size.

Does anyone knows why there is the shortage? To much demand, production issues, supply lack for chips?

Oh they don't do a mandatory open and parts replacement at 15 years?  That's playing with fire... or water I guess 😅. 

While waiting forever, and listening to the complaints of others, seems like the delay was a combination of chip shortage and wanting to validate the new technology.

I swear they even took the watch off their website for a while, but just put it back up. Disappointed in the communication from Cartier to the ADs.

I agree with @curtaincall – the solar beat represents Cartier taking a step outside their comfort zone as a brand, but balancing heritage in look and feel. It's SUCH a cool watch – CONGRATULATIONS, Max! 

I bought the Must and can still agree this was the most important Cartier release of the year – or even the past few years. 

Thanks Lydia!  Love the solar idea!  But unfortunately there's nothing on the case to signify it's the solar and not the regular quartz 🤷‍♂️. Plus the AD and I stared at it for 10min with a loupe and couldn't see the "solar cells" under the numerals.

Oh no, you got me wrong. After 15 years they open it. But during that time the costumer has no reason to go to the watchmaker to let it open. My AD found that crucial. In the 15 years much can happen.

that they have taken the watch off their website I have also seen. I was so curious about that that I checked different country websites and on the German it was as on other European longer gone than on the US or Swiss one.

Love this watch! Always loved. One question: What do you think about the price? Do you think that this watch will keep the price (value) in the time. Not because I want to resell it but I am always thinking about back door ("if something happens") ... I am finding local adds with Cartier Tank with purchase price of CHF 6'500 being offered for CHF 2'500. 

Right now I am deciding about my next purchase - saving money and wait until I will reach Rolex or get 2-3 watches like Cartier ...??? Oh my, these decisions ...🙄😉

This one certainly appeals to me, and I can see adding it to my collection once they become readily available.

When I started collecting about 3 years ago, Cartier didn't interest me at all. My tastes have changed, and I've been contemplating a Santos De Cartier for the last year. The biggest thing holding me back was deciding on which version - I finally ended up ordering a WSSA0037 last week, and am expecting delivery mid week.  Now I have a similar issue with the Tank - trying to decide which version to buy. There is something about the idea of the solar beat that really appeals to me, even though I tend to prefer mechanical movements.

Yeah the tank is so classic , it just doesn't even have to try to be fancy or have a mechanical movement. With no second hand, the design carries it 👍. The long service interval just makes it carefree. 

Congratulations on managing to snag one! I decided to go vintage and grabbed a Basculante. So many avenues to travel, such little wallet to give haha.

Got the wife the small SB.  Interesting comparison Cartier - JLC 🤔

My wife gifted me the receipt for on this past Christmas… still waiting patiently but happy to see folks receiving theirs finally. I think its totally worth the wait to have a classic design and piece of history forever. Great photo Max… makes the turn of the knife only sweeter 😂 

My AD told me that it had been canceled outright. Not sure if she was misinformed, or if she was just tampering my expectations because they were not getting any word on when it would be available. At any rate, I see this in my future.

I've been waiting for another proper review on the Solarbeat for quite sometime now. Excellent video, Max. Alligator strap would have been perfect. Cartier is charging CAD 480. Width is 19 yeah? Any recommendation where to get cheaper alligator straps? 

someone told me there was some issues with the ones own by some customers (not working) and was sent back for checks. maybe they are just holding the batch first to ensure they commit a perfect piece for customers out there waiting with long list. 

same the tech appeals to me. I was suggested not to buy first. A few asked me (from Cartier) to wait for advance version and wait for the stability of the current batch feedback first. at the end of the story, both are quartz watches! both charge by battery, both needs to send back for servicing within 5-6 years I was told by Cartier staff that is highly recommendated for all battery run watch! (16 years not true (really? or yet to be true?) - Did u see them putting on their website to guarantee that?) For you/us to take away, believe or fallacy?

there is a reason why it is the same retail price. both are run on battery and quartz movement. the only thing here is, will that be a 16 or 6 years? to come by then, review that for us please?

there was some customers sending back their watches already. lets wait and see more reviews first. im keen to learn from their experience after a couple of years to see if this batch is perfectly working well that will last for 6 or 16 years without changing or servicing too! :) 

@Max I have a question about the how the movement operates. I saw on your video that the minute hand jumps, that brings me to my questions:

• Does it jump multiple times per minute, or just once per minute (i.e. on the minute)?
• Does it hack? Or more specifically, are the (invisible) seconds zeroed when the crown is pushed in, or simply running somehow in the chip and the jump can happen within, say, 5s after the crown has been pushed in?

I think its a great entry level twist, I would like them to try a solar roaster :)