Help me choose a Cartier

[Palladio]

My daily watch for nearly 30 years is my Rolex GMT Master.
I'm a former Naval Aviator and my other watches are all pilot/aviation types: Breguet XX, Breitling Navitimer, IWC Mk XVI, etc.
I'd like to have a dressier watch that is not round or conventional, and I'm leaning towards Cartier.

Here are a few that I liked. The photos are all on my wrist. Which do you prefer and why?

[Txkill]

I think the Tank wins it for me.

[nick c]

The tank fits you perfectly

[denmanproject]

Have always liked this one

[Hairdude1]

I love the drive.

[mps354]

I like the tank. And, if you go down that route, be sure to check out the jaeger LeCoultre Reverso

[joli160]

Originally Posted by mps354

I like the tank. And, if you go down that route, be sure to check out the jaeger LeCoultre Reverso

X2

[HobokenRolex]

Tank looks great.

[Crazybubba]

JLC Reverso over the tank imo

However I do like this Cartier (Drive)

[Palladio]

Thanks for the replies. I felt like the Tortue fit my 6.75" wrist the best, but perhaps it's a bit less masculine than the Drive or Tank. Also it's 2x more expensive than the Tank and 3x more than the Drive. The Tank may be the way to go. I think this one is the XL ultra thin model, a bit over 40mm. I was concerned it might be a tad big on my wrist, but the replies here seem to say it's not.

I also like the JLC Reverso, but am trying to go for a dressier look. The Reversos I've tried on are substantially thicker than the Cartier and feel more like a sport watch (after all they were designed for use by Polo players right?)

So if I go with the Tank, any opinions on white vs rose gold?

[Dr.Brian]

The Drive is cool watch. I tried them on recently as well. I like the dial and the unusual shape.

[Palladio]

Originally Posted by Dr.Brian

The Drive is cool watch. I tried them on recently as well. I like the dial and the unusual shape.

It's a stunning design isn't it?

I feel like they knocked it out of the park - it is recognizable as Cartier but is quite modern as well. My only reservations were that it was a bit big on my wrist, and that it's very noticeable. It sort of makes more of a statement than the other two watches I tried on, if that makes sense.


I just read they are releasing a new version that is thinner, has no date or seconds, and a plain dial instead of guilloche. I'd be curious to try that one on.

[GB-man]

Check out the reverso 1931 ultra thin. 7.3mm thick

[rolehex]

another for the Tank

[tyler1980]

I would go with the drive. No matter which way you go I would get a white dial as that to me is what a Cartier is. Nothing against the black, but it looks less like a Cartier.

[Cru Jones]

Drive for me. Beautiful dial, great shape, new model, good value.

[lapince]

Tank, really don't like the others

[1William]

Of the watches listed I prefer the classic Tank.

[christianj]

Tank is a classic and really what Cartier is known for. Drive is a sexy new addition that I think is nicely executed but I would go with the white dial as I find the black difficult to read.

[SearChart]

I would pick the tank.

[tommy91]

I really like the last one is it ronde? Not great on my Cartier anymore but I have had a few roadsters with similar shape to the last picture and it's a great watch on the wrist the shape really works.

[Palladio]

Originally Posted by tommy91

I really like the last one is it ronde? Not great on my Cartier anymore but I have had a few roadsters with similar shape to the last picture and it's a great watch on the wrist the shape really works.

The last one in my initial post is a "Tortue", which Louis Cartier designed after the shape of a turtle in 1912. That watch is limited production and in white gold, so it's quite a bit more expensive than the others. I thought it wore the best out of the three models I tried.

[Tony64]

The Tank looked good 30 years ago, it looks good today, and it will look good 30 years from now. It's hard to find a more classic dress watch.

[Palladio]

Originally Posted by Tony64

The Tank looked good 30 years ago, it looks good today, and it will look good 30 years from now. It's hard to find a more classic dress watch.

Well put. I wish they made the next smaller size (large) of the classic Tank Louis Cartier in a manual movement instead of quartz. I have a hard time justifying paying big bucks for a quartz watch. The one in the photo is an XL with a Piaget ultra thin manual caliber. I felt that the XL was just slightly big for a dress watch on my wrist.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by Palladio

Well put. I wish they made the next smaller size (large) of the classic Tank Louis Cartier in a manual movement instead of quartz. I have a hard time justifying paying big bucks for a quartz watch. The one in the photo is an XL with a Piaget ultra thin manual caliber. I felt that the XL was just slightly big for a dress watch on my wrist.

Have you considered a Tank a Vis? It has a great handwind movement and I think the case is about 27x39mm. It was part of Cartier's top of the line Privee collection that has since been discontinued. It's little different from the classic tank and has a great guilloched dial. The platinum version was particular nice. A bit more "rugged" looking than the traditional tank, but elegant none the less.

On the other hand, the tortue that you posted looks perfect on your wrist.

[Palladio]

Originally Posted by Tony64

Have you considered a Tank a Vis? It has a great handwind movement and I think the case is about 27x39mm. It was part of Cartier's top of the line Privee collection that has since been discontinued. It's little different from the classic tank and has a great guilloched dial. The platinum version was particular nice. A bit more "rugged" looking than the traditional tank, but elegant none the less.

On the other hand, the tortue that you posted looks perfect on your wrist.

That looks great as well! I'd never seen that one. There is also a collection Privee Tank Louis Cartier in the 39mm size with guilloche dial that is exactly what I'd go for. However, most of the Privee models were made in such limited production that they are rarer than hen's teeth, and are very expensive when they do come up for sale. That Tortue is similar to Collection Privee models, and it's $19,000 as compared to $6K for the Drive and about $10K for the Tank.

I may just wait and see if I can find one of the Privee models at some point.

[Moana43]

Saw the Cartier Drive for the first time while I was in Las Vegas a couple of months ago. Couldn't get it out of my head, so took the plunge. Absolutely love it (silver dial) -- a unique and beautiful watch.

That being said, in the photos you have included in your first post, I think the Tank looks great on your wrist, as does the Tortue. They both appear to be slightly better proportioned to your wrist -- though, it's always hard to tell from photos.

Good luck with your choice!