In Need of Your Opinion - Cartier Classics

I am contemplating between these 3 absolutely gorgeous watches. 
 

  1.  Cartier Tank Americaine Medium
  2. Cartier Tank Must Large
  3. Cartier Santos Large

They are all of different price range, and initially I am just going back and forth between the Must and Santos. 
 

When I tried the Americaine on, it caught me by surprise and I grew to like it a lot. The only problem is that the missus just felt meh about it. She likes the Santos the most. 
 

What do you guys think I should go for?

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The first two look great, the Santos, granted it could be the angle, looks too big. Did you try the medium?

Regardless, get the one you like the most. Your spouse does‘t have to wear it. Does she like it the most because it has a bracelet vs the other two? If so, perhaps try the Tank Francaise as well.

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Tank Must, but I would size down.

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Cartier Tank Must 👍

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Santos medium for me!

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From the photos: 1. Must, looks the best 2. Americaine (very close second and the most interesting looking of the bunch, more dressy looking though) 3. Santos (would try size down)

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The one you like the most, but keep your wife happy. She’s probably got a good eye for what looks good on you. Also, did i mention it is ALWAYS good to keep your wife happy?

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Tank Must or Medium Santos for your wrist. 

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Americaine or santos medium

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i would go with the santos but a size down to the medium 

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Much as I know there is no gender in watches , the Americaine looks a bit feminine in the picture.

I would usually always go for a Santos but the Cartier Tank Must Large looks best on you in the pictures you shared in my opinion.

All the best 

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Must or Americaine

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No matter which one, I'd size down.

I'd pick the Must for the looks or the Santos for the history.

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All fantastic watches, but I'd say the Santos personally.

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All of them… 😂

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Tank must. The best watch I ever purchased and the cheapest of the lot!

love the Americain too but prefer the tank and if I was to get an Americain I’d get a vintage one.

the santos maybe a bit too big (great choice for someone with chonkier wrists)

below the tank on some straps

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TomInJersey

I think the problem is just with the Santos because of the special end links. Here’s a link from their site:

https://delugs.com/blogs/news/stop-selling-santos-straps

Very interesting thanks! I’ll breathe a sigh of relief for now.

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arrif_j

I did ask her in that regard, and she just casually says 'i like it the most on you'.

I am quite lucky that the AD has a lot of Cartiers in stock/on display so I could actually try most of the ones I want.

For the Santos, I do feel like the Large is edging on being too big so I've tried the Medium as well. 

Here are some pictures of the Santos Medium/Large/Large Blue Dial side-by-side.

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I think the santos medium is perfect on you. I’m a happy owner of the same and really enjoy it. 6.75” wrist, wssa0029

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One thing on the dial of the tank large. the silver has a lovely look to it. After owning it a while I now appreciate the simplicity.  the no-date is a bonus too.

Also I’d go Solarbeat if you can. More interesting longer lasting movement  for no extra $$. 16 year battery life.

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arrif_j

Wow, your dilemma is almost the same as mine, albeit my AD is only 30 minutes away.

  1. The dial/bezel variants on the Santos Large appeal to me a lot (as I may have found that the white dial is a bit too formal-y.
  2.  My gripe with Tank Large is due to its quartz movement (i prefer mechanical) and the absence of a guilloche dial as the bigger brother XL has.

Tried on these 3 stunning pieces, and I just swoon over the blue dial variant.

Thanks for your takes, Tempus!

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I agree that the white dial does appear a bit more formal, but no so much that it wouldn't pair very well with casual attire. I just feel that the other variants are more appealing - I might feel differently if the white version had a guilloche dial.

The blue dial Santos is the one I was originally lusting after. I love blue dials, and from the photos and videos I've seen, it's absolutely stunning. Unfortunately, most of the photos and videos also seemed to show scratches on the bezel (except for brand new watches), and there are so many comments about it being a scratch magnet. As someone who prefers my watches to be as scratch free as possible, that was a big concern for me. I had initially dismissed the ADLC bezel version because it didn't really appeal to me in photos, but once I saw it in person, I was immediately sold. I still haven't seen any other variants in person, and may regret my decision when I see the blue dial, but I'm thrilled with the one I have.

I also agree with your opinion on the Tank. I'd prefer a mechanical movement, and love the guilloche dial. I tried on the previous version of the Large sized Tank, and felt that I could pull it off, even though the medium would probably more suitable for me. Even so, my preference is for the Large.

Have you considered any other Cartier models? The reason I ask is that I also picked up a pre-owned Pasha C this year.  In the past, I would have hated the look of the Pasha, but my tastes have been refined over the years, and I think it's a really cool watch. The fact that it was designed by Gerald Genta doesn't hurt either. I will definitely be adding a Tank at some point, and possibly a Santos Dumont if I can get the new lacquer dial version introduced in 2022, which I think is absolutely stunning.

Best of luck in your decision making process - I don't think you'll go wrong with whatever you choose.

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The Cartier Tank Must will be my choice. Classic. 

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arrif_j

I agree with your takes on the Tank Américaine, I felt like it is quite underrated for such an elegant and classy piece.

I tend to get why people are complaining about the XL being too big, it is just most cannot afford two Tanks 😂

The XL appeals a lot to me due to the guilloche dial and automatic movement, but I do wish it is a tad bit smaller so that I could actually pull it off - here is how the XL looks on my wrist.

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May I know what's your wrist size? The Tank XL looks amazing on you.

My wrist is only 6.75”.  Not large at all.

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Large Tank Must.

but

if i could do it all over again, and with Santos cash levels to spare plus a lil bit more savings, I’d get the original Tank Louis. you wont ever have to think of another Cartier in your life With that precious metal piece.

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Mechanical, guilloche, classic, elegance, icon, one and done.

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arrif_j

I did ask her in that regard, and she just casually says 'i like it the most on you'.

I am quite lucky that the AD has a lot of Cartiers in stock/on display so I could actually try most of the ones I want.

For the Santos, I do feel like the Large is edging on being too big so I've tried the Medium as well. 

Here are some pictures of the Santos Medium/Large/Large Blue Dial side-by-side.

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Based ont he shots, Medium for certain, but again,  buy what you like.

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I like the Tank Must better, for me (and I am a big guy) the bigger santos seems a bit too big, and the 36mm a bit too small, on the other hand, the Tank is just perfect for me, is my favorite Cartier hands down. I oww the previous generation of Ronde Solo (My wife), and I just love it...

One other thing (and this is just an opinion) the Tank ages better than the Santos, all those cool super polished surface are scratch magnets...

Having said that! buy what you like better!!!

Cheer

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Santos all the way

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#2 looks best on you imho

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All three are dressy whilst still being able to look nicely with more casual clothes. The dressiest is the Tank Must as it is more discreet and has sleeker lines. Also, it sits the best on your wrist compared to its two competitors. Furthermore, it does not have a big case, a thick vezel and a date. So, I would opt for this one based on these factors.

I will, however, say that the Américaine has more punch that the other two and will be more versatile because of its thick vertical lines. 

My guess is that your betrothed loved the Santos so that she can borrow it from you.

Anyway, you cannot go wrong with any of these.

If not, have a look at Jaeger-LeCoultre or Omega.

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Cdfaltz

Love them all!

im looking at a roadster and can’t decide either to pull the trigger…. Argh!!!!

good luck with your choice 

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It’s awesome but I do feel that It’s a tad big on my 6.5“ wrist, but the next size down is too small and a very expensive qtz 

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Tank must looks awesome. Did you decide yet?

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UsernameTaken

Tank must looks awesome. Did you decide yet?

Yes I did.

Bought a 2319 reference Santos Cartier with a Guilloche dial. Beautiful 29mm watch in flawless condition.

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