Blue dial dilemma - Datejust 41 for Cartier de Santos?

[youthagainsttt]

So I have always been a fan of blue dial watches (who isn't I guess) and from selling my AP15400 blue I wanted to buy another blue dial watch with a distinctive bracelet, just like the AP has.

I decided on the DJ41 Jubilee with smooth bezel, loved the look of the watch but part of me is thinking also like the Royal Oak, it can be quite flashy especially working in an engineering firm where no one else wears luxury watches. So now I was thinking a watch which is more versatile may be better, I have been given the offer of a Blue XL Cartier de Santos plus around US$700 to swap for my DJ41. Question is, would you go for this swap? The DJ41 is 2 months old, very good condition with papers, boxes. The Cartier would be brand new.

[teabags001]

No. Wear your watch. No one will notice. It’s a SS watch. If it has gold PCLs then they Would notice. There are $300 seikos with jubilee bracelets. It has the smooth bezel already. Plus the DJ blue jubilee sells over retail at the moment. It should settle a little below. The Cartier will lose 40-50 percent right away. Even values aside the DJ41 blue is a perfect DJ model.


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[danwang0520]

Rolex > Cartier

[David5807]

Originally Posted by danwang0520

Rolex > Cartier

This

[jimcarver]

I wouldn't do that trade.
If no one else is wearing luxury watches it probably means they are not into watches, so they definitely wont notice what you are wearing. On the tiny chance that someone does, why does it matter.

[F17RUK]

[Hendrikus]

Well, I have both of these watches, so can talk objectively.

The Cartier is really beautiful. It was a piece I certainly bought with my heart - it is already worth considerably less than I paid for it and I have no doubt it will in time be worth very little. However, I wear it frequently and it is very striking and comfortable. The best feature is of course the fact that you can switch out from the bracelet to leather straps in literally two seconds, with no tools. I therefore had a lot of fun ordering some custom straps from Cartier in various colours, and I use my Santos as a versatile fun piece. I sometimes go out with a spare strap in my jacket pocket and switch mid evening to see if anyone notices!

The DJ41 (in precisely the same configuration as you have) is clearly a better watch, in both horology and value retention terms. It is a classic Rolex and one that forms a central part of a nice collection.

Which do I wear more? The Santos. If I had to sell one today, which would I let go.... the DJ41 probably. Principally as I would make a profit or at least break even on list price, and I would still have the Santos for fun.

I am not sure I have helped at all.... both fabulous watches in my view!

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by Hendrikus

Well, I have both of these watches, so can talk objectively.

The Cartier is really beautiful. It was a piece I certainly bought with my heart - it is already worth considerably less than I paid for it and I have no doubt it will in time be worth very little. However, I wear it frequently and it is very striking and comfortable. The best feature is of course the fact that you can switch out from the bracelet to leather straps in literally two seconds, with no tools. I therefore had a lot of fun ordering some custom straps from Cartier in various colours, and I use my Santos as a versatile fun piece. I sometimes go out with a spare strap in my jacket pocket and switch mid evening to see if anyone notices!

The DJ41 (in precisely the same configuration as you have) is clearly a better watch, in both horology and value retention terms. It is a classic Rolex and one that forms a central part of a nice collection.

Which do I wear more? The Santos. If I had to sell one today, which would I let go.... the DJ41 probably. Principally as I would make a profit or at least break even on list price, and I would still have the Santos for fun.

I am not sure I have helped at all.... both fabulous watches in my view!

Thanks a lot for your views, great collection you have also!
Definitely the DJ41 will hold it's value but I've got a feeling this Cartier will also hold its value, I have seen examples on ebay and other grey dealers selling secondhand examples at close to list price. Buying the blue dial, which I prefer anyway, I think will help and the smartlink I think will make this the most desirable Cartier (it's all relative this term also) for a little whole.

If you compare this Cartier with other similar watches:
- Vacheron Overseas - have considered, also with smart-link esque contraption but almost triple the price
- Piaget Polo S - an awful watch, more expensive, no quickswitch and coming from a Piaget fan
- Bulgari - no quickswitch, the bracelet is v v shiny/flashy. Even worse depreciation and not much heritage/history in haute horlogy

FWIW, in my market in HK the list price is 10%+ under the UK pricing and the price I can get from my grey dealer is around 15%+ under that.

[1William]

Both are nice watches but I would not do the deal based solely on the values of the watches. You would lose 50% or more of your value in the Cartier once pre-owned. It is not all about the money but that is one I would not do. DavidSW had several Cartier watches similar to what you might be trading for on his website. Check them out and see what he is charging. I would consider adding the Cartier but not trading the DJ for it.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by 1William

Both are nice watches but I would not do the deal based solely on the values of the watches. You would lose 50% or more of your value in the Cartier once pre-owned. It is not all about the money but that is one I would not do. DavidSW had several Cartier watches similar to what you might be trading for on his website. Check them out and see what he is charging. I would consider adding the Cartier but not trading the DJ for it.

This. Absolutely.

[lmmrf]

Originally Posted by 1William

Both are nice watches but I would not do the deal based solely on the values of the watches. You would lose 50% or more of your value in the Cartier once pre-owned. It is not all about the money but that is one I would not do. DavidSW had several Cartier watches similar to what you might be trading for on his website. Check them out and see what he is charging. I would consider adding the Cartier but not trading the DJ for it.

You won't lose 50% of the value of a Santos de Cartier. Looking at DavidSW (as you suggest), they are offering a used large blue dial Santos for $5,875. That's 85% of the US retail price, which is $6,850. DavidSW will be at the high end of used prices, and I've seen other sellers close to $5,000, but we're not talking about a watch that will lose half its value, at least not for the next few years. The new Santos is a desirable watch right now, especially in blue.

[Rashid.bk]

Love the Cartier but no way I’d trade a blue dial DJ for it. The Cartier is priced well enough to add, look for a good used one and save big bucks.

[RaZCaL]

I love my Cartier Santos in white dial but also love my Datejust. The quickswitch system is amazing and the bracelet sits so comfortable on the wrist. I think it’s a beautiful watch.

I agree with the above. Keep your Datejust and look for a preowned Santos to save $. Resale value for Cartier is horrible.





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[Maxy]

Originally Posted by RaZCaL

I love my Cartier Santos in white dial but also love my Datejust. The quickswitch system is amazing and the bracelet sits so comfortable on the wrist. I think it’s a beautiful watch.

Love it.. folks don't realize that making a $6K watch with bracelet and strap and including a new innovation like quick change bracelet to strap and vice-versa in like 2 seconds and then also changing or adding links without any tools just by hand in 2 seconds is huge achievement. Rolex will never do that. Not many companies do that and if they do they won't charge so less. Rolex had chance to do same with Tudor when they supplied Nato straps with Black Bay but they didn't care about any innovation nor any tools to swap the bracelet to strap.

[RaZCaL]

Originally Posted by Maxy

Love it.. folks don't realize that making a $6K watch with bracelet and strap and including a new innovation like quick change bracelet to strap and vice-versa in like 2 seconds and then also changing or adding links without any tools just by hand in 2 seconds is huge achievement. Rolex will never do that. Not many companies do that and if they do they won't charge so less. Rolex had chance to do same with Tudor when they supplied Nato straps with Black Bay but they didn't care about any innovation nor any tools to swap the bracelet to strap.

Agreed. I’m a big Cartier fan. My Santos and Roadster Chronograph is frequently in my wrist time rotation. Love them!

[TswaneNguni]

Very nifty strap change system on the Cartier My Jaeger leCoultre Master Compressor Extreme World Chrono the same ..can change between bracelet/rubber and brown leather in seconds .

[JayHantz]

I would not trade a Rolex for a Cartier - definitely would shop around and add it to the collection. William was spot on with his advice.

[schoolboy]

I wouldn’t do the swap

Who cares if no one else wears luxury watches at work?

In my high school, mostly everyone has an Apple Watch




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[pinkyhotdog]

In a word: NO! In two words: NO WAY! Don't do it :) Or do it with the option to get back somehow your Rolex

[Houston77]

A large, square watch will draw more attention than a DJ.

[NachoNeal]

circle > square.

[Rori]

No no and no. In my opinion, Cartier, Armani Bulgaria Chanel and the list never ends are ornaments in a wrist-watch form factor nothing else.

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

So I have always been a fan of blue dial watches (who isn't I guess) and from selling my AP15400 blue I wanted to buy another blue dial watch with a distinctive bracelet, just like the AP has.

I decided on the DJ41 Jubilee with smooth bezel, loved the look of the watch but part of me is thinking also like the Royal Oak, it can be quite flashy especially working in an engineering firm where no one else wears luxury watches. So now I was thinking a watch which is more versatile may be better, I have been given the offer of a Blue XL Cartier de Santos plus around US$700 to swap for my DJ41. Question is, would you go for this swap? The DJ41 is 2 months old, very good condition with papers, boxes. The Cartier would be brand new.

[AndyWright]

bad idea, I wouldnt do that trade keep wearing your watch.

[airchitect]

I’d say buy the Cartier as an addition. Do not unload the Rolex for many of the reasons mentioned. That said I’m reading a bit of silliness here in some of these post. As in a lack of respect for Cartier. Yes they produce a ton of jewelry and their watches are sometimes considered to fall in that category. But I’d have to call bs when referring to a Santos or Tank in that way. All of you know that Cartier invented the wristwatch right? That the Santos was, in fact, that watch? In today’s market, no Cartier is not Rolex, but deserves mad respect nonetheless.

[brandrea]

The answer to most of these conundrums is to add, not sell.

[faz]

Originally Posted by brandrea

The answer to most of these conundrums is to add, not sell.

Also, really, no one will notice your datejust if you just wear it every day. It is just another watch as far as most people are concerned, and just another datejust as far as WIS is concerned.

[jb335]

I like both watches but would rather have the DJ. Easily.

[enjoythemusic]

I'd keep the Rollie and look for a used Cartier when finances permit. Very different styles, and the Cartier is very easy to change bands to match your attire as others have mentioned. In fact plan to add a Solo Tank XL with bracelet soon, plus get a few Barton leather straps for fast leather band change.

[eteokles]

If wearing the Rolex makes you feel self-conscious at work, I would unload it immediately and find something you're comfortable wearing. Your performance at work is far more important than a hobby.

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by eteokles

If wearing the Rolex makes you feel self-conscious at work, I would unload it immediately and find something you're comfortable wearing. Your performance at work is far more important than a hobby.

Thanks for the comment, just for some context I work in a consultancy on the support side as a middle manager (ie. I'm not a consultant) where we have a strong business although with recent events in Asia for example there have been some cost cutting. No business travel for the next quarter unless its urgent project work, even cutting staff if they're underperforming. I am aware I am one of the highest paid support members within the region, so I am conscious of being a "flash Harry".

The only only other watch I've noticed is one of the Directors wearing a seamaster and this is out of 100 people. Even the Ceo I think wears an apple watch