Need a dress watch???

[timewarped80]

I'm in the market for a slim dress watch and am debating between a calatrava and the new cartier flat drive in white gold that was recently released at SIHH 2017. I don't typically like Cartiers, but this is a sexy watch.

Typically a Patek always trumps a Cartier, as Cartiers are more known for being high-end jewelry pieces than timepieces of the Patek level.

Is this Cartier different or does the old rule apply, that is, Patek always better?

As an aside, I mostly have Rolex's new and old, and a Patek Aquanaut. Don't currently have a dress watch and I only envision getting one for now.

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/ca...at-introducing

[scarlet knight]

Calatrava all day long. Which one do you like?

[Corsair66]

I don't have any personal experience with Cartier watches, but I do like Patek. I've been thinking of adding the 5396R-012 as a dress watch. Something about it is really calling to me.

[statsman]

I would love the new flat Cartier Drive if it had a center seconds hand. My working class roots are showing, but I can't conceive of wearing a watch without a seconds hand, and Indon't like the kinetic motion of the sub-seconds hand. If/when I get a nice PM dress watch, it will have a center seconds hand. But that's just my personal preference.

[timewarped80]

Potentially a 5196, either in wg or platinum, not sure. 5296 is nice also, maybe the sector dial.

[RUK]

Patek hands down. Time tested design.
Do look at the Saxonia and the Master control too

[PJ S]

There are a number of watches I’d look at long before considering the Calatrava, and they are:
H Moser & Cie
Chopard LUC
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle
Girard Perregaux 1966 (and maybe Vintage 1945 if you like the tonneau style)
Ulysse Nardin Classico Grand Feu (this year’s Blue or last year's White)
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda 1950 (or original Toric, as opposed to newly reintroduced version with 3 date slot)
Minerva Villeret (pre-2005/6 before Richemont bought the company and turned it into Montblanc’s bespoke HH movement supplier) – some lovely examples on Chrono24.

[mdgrwl]

For dress watches my tops are:

Patek / Lange / JLC / Glashutte Original.

Cartier isn't on my dress watch list.

[mps354]

I much prefer a calatrava to that Cartier, solely based on aesthetics. I'd also look at some jlc reversos

[Peterandwatches]

100 percent to above.

[vukotab]

Patek would also be my choice, though I like the new Cartier.
Also, new Rolex Cellini line is more than worth considering IMHO..

[Le Chef]

Some really nice versions out there, both new and pre-owned.

[watchucallit]

I was going to suggest you look at Moser, FPJ and Lange... Those are great alternatives to Patek.. Some very nice dress watches..

[GB-man]

VC patrimony but Patek between the two.

[scarlet knight]

[SearChart]

I love Cartier but when you can get Patek or Lange I wouldn't even think about any Cartier.