Tank or Santos…

I like the Santos. That’s what I would buy. It’s a dress watch and a sports watch, so more versatility, which means more wrist time. It comes with an extra strap and a quick strap change mechanism, which means more versatility and more wrist time. 

The Santos. I have an 8in wrist and I feel it can be worn with many types of attire. Also I like the steel bracelet. 

Cheers!

I just can’t get with the Santos.  I went Tank twice. 

Like the tank but santos for me! Picked up my 40 mm Gold/Steel on Sat and I love it. Beautiful to admire.

Also - I see you are UK based. My AD is currently selling without the VAT so essentially a 17% discount!!! They have a steel Medium santos, happy to share details 

Yes that would be great! I’m in London btw. 

Is that offer for all or just a special few?

I’ve also tried both..several times haha. 
I don’t get that cheap feeling at all! Maybe I’m just too enamoured with it to see it’s flaws. 

Yes the bracelet is one of the big draws. As well as the versatility. I have a much smaller wrist at 6.4 so the Tank works just fine too. 

I hear you. But I have a BBPro for my sport/casual and an SMP for full on leisure use. I need something a bit more dressy/office use. Hence why both work for me. 

They are not widely advertising but will do this deal if you call. AD is based in Leicester but worth it for the discount. Can’t message you direct here as I’m new ( have to wait 14 days) but if you message me your number I can text details.

Thanks. Will do. Check your dm

If you’re looking for a dress watch one trick pony, the Tank has that in spades. 

Both are excellent picks. No wrong or right answer here really. I personally love my Santos so that would be my choice. 

I think the Santos is fancier and packs much more visual interest without being overdone. And, as has been said, it is more versatile (I think). 

As a Tank owner who has tried on the Santos many times (and has it at the top of a short list to buy), I would recommend the Santos - particularly if you want the best of all worlds. Here's why:

• The Tank is much more dressy. I mean, I wear it with whatever, and you can, too, but it is a very dressy watch, and it feels like it on the wrist. The experience of wearing it is of having something dressy on your wrist. Even when worn on the OEM bracelet (which I have in addition to the OEM black strap), it just doesn't dress down well. With the bracelet, it feels like I'm wearing a dressy cuff bracelet.
• The Santos, on the other hand can do both exceptionally well. It can be dressy on a strap, or sporty on the bracelet. It really does sporty well, and the bracelet sizing method might be the best in the business. Changing to the strap is a cinch, too with the quick change system.

As a footnote, you may be wondering why I purchased the Tank, if I'm recommending a Santos. Well, I have a large watch collection, and I have a LOT of sporty watches. Dress watches are something of a rarity in my collection, so I really wanted to lean in to that direction. Because of that, I got the Tank first. Incidentally, next on my list is a JLC Reverso, but after that, it's back to Cartier to get the Santos. I hope this helps.

That’s a big concern. I know it will bother me for ages but everyone Says that’s part of the charm 🤷🏻‍♂️

Interesting. Not something I considered re the strap system. I’m sure they’ll have a solution in place they wouldn’t leave us hanging would they…?

Rolex games in full swing. I know my AD is doing the same as I’ve been banging on about a DJ36 but have also expressed interest in Cartier. 
It’s a funny dilemma because the Santos will almost take the place of a DJ whereas a tank will have its own space. 

not for me I’m afraid. I don’t mind the odd scratch but the bezel is super shiny and I know my OCD will not tolerate it hahaha. I’m like a magpie and I am attracted to bling however for a dress watch (you could argue the Santos is a Pilot) then I would want that clean and looking good for that occasion. I don’t think I would want to put on something that looks beat up with a sharp suit. 

Yeah I no longer have the Zenith (felt too big on and the bracelet was either too tight or too loose with no adjustment). Returned it within 28 days. 
And the Oysterquartz now belongs to my brother. I still wear it from time to time so it’s all good. 
I love the Gs dials but I can’t commit to the bracelets so that’s a no go for me currently. 
Alas here we are. Santos or Tank haha

Would get the Tank, it's the more iconic design and less of a scratch magnet.  You can get an iconic dressy sports watch from Rolex (DJ, OP), Omega (AquaTerra) that is better value for your money

The Roadster was discontinued and not much in terms of strap availability from OEM. Maybe third party but still. We’ll see, in the end I preferred the Santos to the Tank but that’s really due to my 7.5” wrist size. 

It is the Santos for me, I switch up the bracelet and strap all the time.  I think it is more versatile than the tank.  But you really can't lose.

Tank Francaise XL 

That’s not for me I’m afraid. 

Nice. Yeah the strap change is a big +

I can’t decide on what colour leather I like either haha 

I like your reason for the tank with regards to alternatives. Just wanna ask why you think those are better value than the santos. 

I really like the Santos, my only concern is that it is a scratch magnet, if that is not a problem for you it is a great option. 

Well value is subjective, with Rolex it's more brand equity than anything.  The Omega AquaTerra the fit and finish and the movement is the best of them all in my opinion, not to mention higher water resistance.  You could argue a single Santos can straddle both the French chic design of the Tank and dressy sports watch specs, hence you save more money with a single watch to do it all.  But I like specialization in my watches, with each one fulfilling a specific purpose.  Only you know in your heart which is the right answer

@WatchN which did you go for in the end?