So, for those of you that care at this point 😂

I ended up opting for a slightly older Cartier Tank Solo, that being manufacture reference No. W5200014. My particular Tank being manufactured in May, 2021.

Its listed as a Men's / Large variant, ever so slightly larger than the current Woman's / Large variant, but still significantly smaller than the current Men's / X-large model. The case dimensions being:

• Case size: 35mm x 27.5mm

• Lug width: 20mm

For comparison, the current Tank Solo (Woman's large) has the following dimensions:

• Case size: 34mm x 25.5mm

• Lug width: 19mm

I'm not sure there is continuity re where the dimensions are taken from. With that in mind, I have attached some images of the W5200014 below.

Think I prefer:

• The flatter front of the side tracks

• The more standard 20mm lug width and also the slightly more rounded cabochon on the W5200014, but that's a very minor point.

• One of the main things driving my decision was the price point. Purchased directly from Chrono24 for £2850, on the bracelet, saving myself £850 on the RRP of the current Solo Tank/Large/on bracelet. Includes box and papers.

• Because its listed by Cartier as a "men's" variant, I also do not have to worry about additional links pushing the price up even further. This reference is sized to fit a 7" wrist and includes two additional links.

The only thing I would have liked to see would be the quick release strap detail on the new models. But not a deal break. I think I'll keep this on the bracelet most of the time.

I'm not sure there is much more to say, but feel free to contact me regarding my experience with Chrono24 or any of the decision making for this purchase

I'll take some candid shots when the watch arrives on Wednesday and also confirm the dimensions I have listed above are accurate.

I couldn't wait until next month...this hobby is an illness 😂😭

Mappin & Webb in Cambridge always seem to have great stuff in the window.

This weekend they had a new (not certified pre-owned) Submariner Date with a price tag on it....which means its available to buy. You might still need to have a "relationship" with the M&W Cambridge branch to be able to walk in and buy it, but to me this potentially hints at two things:

1. Availability might be improving.

2. People being offered these watches might not buying them, as the financial climate in the UK is not what is was 2-3 years ago.

I have purchased three watches from M&W Cambridge (two Rolex and a Cartier) and last week I was able to put my name down for a Pepsi GMT and told 2-3 years wait time. This time last year I was told I couldn't put my name down and the wait time was +10 years and I'd likely never get one.

The online narrative re the availability of Rolex is always steered by the grey-market dealers, that would like you to believe its impossible to buy Rolex at retail and you need to pay more. The simple truth is that if you are patient, you can get more or less anything you like with the right AD. Sure, you might need to purchase a few pieces to get to the watch you REALLY want. But the chances are if you have the watch collecting virus, you will do this anyway. Pick an AD and stick with them - you'll get the Rolex you want...eventually.

I like it, apart form the sunburst dial. I wish Tudor had opted for a matte or lacquered dial. I’ll pass on this one

I've had three different sources tell me that the SolarBeat cannot be serviced, the whole movement gets replaced....all be it, every 12-15yrs (depending on how much you use the watch). A real shame 🥺

The sources being

• Mappin & Webb (Bond Street)

• Cartier (Bond Street)

• Watches of Switzerland (Heathrow)

Maybe a lot of people will not care, but throwing a whole movement away just doesn't feel in the spirit of things, even for what is effectively a quartz movement.

I would rather have a standard quartz movement that I can service myself i.e. replace the battery myself every 8yrs or so. With a standard quartz movement, the quartz crystal will need replacing every 20-30yrs (with a service), but you don't need to dispose of the movement to do so.

The other big thing for me...the SolarBeat isn't available on the standard Tank bracelet. You have to buy that separately for the SolarBeat at a premium. The standard tank is available on the bracelet at £400 more than the black strap version. One of the main things about Cartier design is their bracelet designs, so that alone is a deal breaker for me.

I actually picked up the bracelet featured on the You're Terrific YouTube page (from an seller on Etsy), just to see if that would negate not being able to get the SolarBeat on the Cartier Bracelet (as standard). But unfortunately the quality of that bracelet is 🙄meh...the buckle in particular. Not for me, but it might be OK for you. The buckle is large and looks like it longs on a sports watch and the whole things just feels a bit light-on when paired with a Cartier watch.

I'll be picking my Tank up next month, so will report back on here 😀

Both the Small and Large are available from Mappin & Webb, but given the response I just got from Cartier on New Bond Street, I won’t be buying one lol 😂 I’m going to opt for the standard Quartz instead. They look absolutely identical, other than the numeral three. I’d rather have a reliable watch than something I’m going to have to replace when the solar cell dies

That’s not the case according to the sales person that I deal with at Mappin & Webb. He said that Mappin & Webb have heard nothing about it being discontinued, just that there were supply chain issues initially. They have a 5-7day turn around re procurement.

Although, he did confirm something I feared when I popped in today. The SolarBeat movement cannot be serviced, they throw it away and replace with an entire new movement and this includes the dial. This makes me slightly concerned about the serviceable nature of this watch in the longer term.

I think just the regular Quartz might be the better option perhaps if this of concern. I’m going to get a second opinion on this, when I visit Cartier in London tomorrow.

I’m sure she is thinking about Watches & Wonders…