Cartier Tank SolarBeat - availability & owners feedback

[youthagainsttt]

Hi guys, I was wondering how's the availability in your area and any owners' feedback after getting the watch. FYI I've already got a Cartier de Santos, fancied getting a Tank as well & then this came up. Also I've put myself on the waiting list & just got the call

Previously I had a Reverso grande calendar, was also looking at tribute small seconds. This would be a watch I'd wear to work, tks.

[rag5178]

Availability in my area is crap. My AD lucked into one for me and said since then, his buyer has told him he has no idea when the next one will come.

My impression is that it’s a great little piece. I have a large santos and thought the Tank could be a nice dress piece for me and an everyday piece for my wife and it works perfectly for that. One weird thing is the strap size. My wrist is 7.25 inches and the strap is nowhere near big enough to fit me. I doubt it would fit a 7 inch wrist either.

For the price and if you can get one from boutique or AD, I definitely don’t think you’d regret it. Strap monster too although at 19mm you’ll probably have to buy straps just for this.

[2bigalow]

I was looking at the Solarbeat Tank for my wife as a Christmas present last year, but I too was having difficulty sourcing one. I did a little more research and noticed the solar unit will need to be replaced after 15 years. Now I agree that is a long time, but the high autonomy quartz battery will last eight years before needing replacement. I figured two batteries in 15 years was acceptable.
Just my 2 cents.

[BradSomrak]

Just to add some pics to this thread.

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by BradSomrak

Just to add some pics to this thread.

Thanks for that, could I ask if that's a Small & your wrist size

[BradSomrak]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

Thanks for that, could I ask if that's a Small & your wrist size

It is a large, though a large in Cartier is typically much small than what people expect. There is nothing “large” about this watch - I think that is a good thing, though that is obviously subjective.

My wrist is a fraction under 7”.

FWIW, a really fun watch, IMO.

[youthagainsttt]

Thanks for the replies, I did go into the Boutique to try on the watches & kinda felt it was too small, this was the Large size as they don't have XL for solarbeat. I also asked if they could throw anything in but they were pretty adamant and only offered 2 perfume samples or travel pouch but these I can get without buying anything

I also asked for champagne, funnily enough they said they didn't have it but when I spoke to the manager she just ordered it for us

Long story short I ended up trying a load of Tanks & Santos', ultimately it was potentially adding a watch to my collection that was redundant, as it was a time-only piece & I've got Chronos, world times, gmt, so it really didn't make sense. But then I tried on a Santos Dumont, it's actually great value for a gold piece, just HK$124k & looks great as it's rose gold on the grey strap. I'm sure it'll work very well on brown straps too and it has quick release spring bars. So this might be my next watch, not the solarbeat

[classicalthunder]

I love how there is a cabochon protector on the cheaper, synthetic one...and the Santos, which probably has a legit sapphire, doesn't have any protector

[rag5178]

For what it's worth, I think that tank looks perfect on your wrist.

[StarChow]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

Thanks for the replies, I did go into the Boutique to try on the watches & kinda felt it was too small, this was the Large size as they don't have XL for solarbeat. I also asked if they could throw anything in but they were pretty adamant and only offered 2 perfume samples or travel pouch but these I can get without buying anything

I also asked for champagne, funnily enough they said they didn't have it but when I spoke to the manager she just ordered it for us

Long story short I ended up trying a load of Tanks & Santos', ultimately it was potentially adding a watch to my collection that was redundant, as it was a time-only piece & I've got Chronos, world times, gmt, so it really didn't make sense. But then I tried on a Santos Dumont, it's actually great value for a gold piece, just HK$124k & looks great as it's rose gold on the grey strap. I'm sure it'll work very well on brown straps too and it has quick release spring bars. So this might be my next watch, not the solarbeat

Wow didnt know it is available in Hong Kong, may I ask which boutique you checked? Do you think it is available for non VIPs? Thanks again for sharing OP!

[youthagainsttt]

No worries mate, it's in Pacific place & they may still have it

[StarChow]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

No worries mate, it's in Pacific place & they may still have it

Thanks! Will go check it out :)

[BendyBee]

The launch date in Thailand has been postppned many times. Kidda lost interest now.

[classicalthunder]

I've seen them in the cases at some run of the mill ADs in NJ

[ROA]

Originally Posted by rag5178

For what it's worth, I think that tank looks perfect on your wrist.

I agree.

[Overwatch]

I purchased one today at my AD. Apparently these are hard to get and won’t be made again. Not sure the validity of that.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by Overwatch

I purchased one today at my AD. Apparently these are hard to get and won’t be made again. Not sure the validity of that.

I think that’s true of the colored musts, but never heard that about the solar beat. Wouldn’t make sense to already discontinue it. I think the supply chain has hurt this watch more than others because of the technology.


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[Overwatch]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

I think that’s true of the colored musts, but never heard that about the solar beat. Wouldn’t make sense to already discontinue it. I think the supply chain has hurt this watch more than others because of the technology.


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Completely agree with you.

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by ROA

I agree.

I can see from the photos it does look a good fit, I can also add though that I'm used to wearing bigger watches and I've got strangely popeye-sized forearms (decades of weight training/calisthenics) so I'm used to wearing 42-45mm watches as proportionately I think it's better

Went to JLC after, really like the look of the Medium Reverso with Calendar/moonphase in gold but the cost of that is almost double of the Santos Dumont & I know JLC really tanks on the secondary market if you decide to sell (as I found out the hard way)

Went to other Cartier AD's on another day, not boutiques as I'm seeing what kind of discount I can get on the Dumont. A couple were adamant on 10-13% but I found one which quoted 20% on the rose gold piece. I think with some more negotiations this would approach 25%. What kind of discount are you guys getting on PM Cartier men's pieces? Would be curious to know

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

I can see from the photos it does look a good fit, I can also add though that I'm used to wearing bigger watches and I've got strangely popeye-sized forearms (decades of weight training/calisthenics) so I'm used to wearing 42-45mm watches as proportionately I think it's better

Went to JLC after, really like the look of the Medium Reverso with Calendar/moonphase in gold but the cost of that is almost double of the Santos Dumont & I know JLC really tanks on the secondary market if you decide to sell (as I found out the hard way)

Went to other Cartier AD's on another day, not boutiques as I'm seeing what kind of discount I can get on the Dumont. A couple were adamant on 10-13% but I found one which quoted 20% on the rose gold piece. I think with some more negotiations this would approach 25%. What kind of discount are you guys getting on PM Cartier men's pieces? Would be curious to know

I just got 22% off stainless steel Stanos Fwiw


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[jw0n]

I've been trying to get one since... well, since I read about it last year. I have not seen a single one, although I know there were some, all of which were sold. I'm curious to know if the Large will fit my wrist well -- in which case, I will get it to share with my wife. Else, I will probably go for a Small for my wife only.

[youthagainsttt]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

I just got 22% off stainless steel Stanos Fwiw


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Which Santos? I guess it wasn't Santos de Cartier?

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

Which Santos? I guess it wasn't Santos de Cartier?

The santos de Cartier. Stainless steel.

[youthagainsttt]

For anyone who's interested I got a call from another boutique in HK, another Solarbeat in stock. Let me know if you wanna know which one by pm

[BDL]

I have been trying to grab one of these since they were released. I live in the US and was having zero luck. I spoke with the e-boutique who told me she could not even find it in the catalogue. She took down my email and said she would investigate.

I got this in an email the next day:

"I hope this email finds you well. Kindly note, The tank SolarBeat timepiece you inquired about has been retired and thus, is unfortunately unavailable for purchase.

As an alternative, you may wish to discover our Tank Must collection, which is very similar to the creation which sparked your interest."

I am not sure if this is a US, North America or global issue.

Not to be deterred I started calling the boutiques outside the US and found a sales rep that had 1 large SolarBeat in the UK. I had to wire the funds and pick it up in person. I decided to pull the trigger and figure out how to get it down the road. By complete luck, I have an old college buddy heading to this country in mid March and have arranged for him to pick it up.

I think these are going to be Unicorns, this next part is a guess but I think the supply chain for the solar components is just completely dried up or the cost has soared to make this a no-go. I am super excited, but trying to keep that low key until it arrives back in my hands. I'll post some pics when it arrives.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by BDL

I have been trying to grab one of these since they were released. I live in the US and was having zero luck. I spoke with the e-boutique who told me she could not even find it in the catalogue. She took down my email and said she would investigate.

I got this in an email the next day:

"I hope this email finds you well. Kindly note, The tank SolarBeat timepiece you inquired about has been retired and thus, is unfortunately unavailable for purchase.

As an alternative, you may wish to discover our Tank Must collection, which is very similar to the creation which sparked your interest."

I am not sure if this is a US, North America or global issue.

Not to be deterred I started calling the boutiques outside the US and found a sales rep that had 1 large SolarBeat in the UK. I had to wire the funds and pick it up in person. I decided to pull the trigger and figure out how to get it down the road. By complete luck, I have an old college buddy heading to this country in mid March and have arranged for him to pick it up.

I think these are going to be Unicorns, this next part is a guess but I think the supply chain for the solar components is just completely dried up or the cost has soared to make this a no-go. I am super excited, but trying to keep that low key until it arrives back in my hands. I'll post some pics when it arrives.

Originally Posted by BDL

I have been trying to grab one of these since they were released. I live in the US and was having zero luck. I spoke with the e-boutique who told me she could not even find it in the catalogue. She took down my email and said she would investigate.

I got this in an email the next day:

"I hope this email finds you well. Kindly note, The tank SolarBeat timepiece you inquired about has been retired and thus, is unfortunately unavailable for purchase.

As an alternative, you may wish to discover our Tank Must collection, which is very similar to the creation which sparked your interest."

I am not sure if this is a US, North America or global issue.

Not to be deterred I started calling the boutiques outside the US and found a sales rep that had 1 large SolarBeat in the UK. I had to wire the funds and pick it up in person. I decided to pull the trigger and figure out how to get it down the road. By complete luck, I have an old college buddy heading to this country in mid March and have arranged for him to pick it up.

I think these are going to be Unicorns, this next part is a guess but I think the supply chain for the solar components is just completely dried up or the cost has soared to make this a no-go. I am super excited, but trying to keep that low key until it arrives back in my hands. I'll post some pics when it arrives.

Well this is sad news. Only holding out hope Cartier is wrong here. I’ve had them give me product info that is incorrect before. Hope that’s the case here but sadly doesn’t sound like it.

The solar beat was such a great compromise between a classic watch at a great price that did something slightly different than quartz.

For those still interested in the tank and on the fence about quartz I will say this: the quartz used is a high level and not on par with a typical low cost watch. Further, it’s the same quartz they use on their 10k dollar Louis Cartier tanks of the present. I understand not doing it though.



Here’s the regular tank must large on my roughly 6 1/4 inch wrist. Nice piece but the feel on the wrist wasn’t great because the case has 0 curve to it. Passed and went with the santos, which predates the tank and can have a black strap added.


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[texasmade]

Originally Posted by BDL

I have been trying to grab one of these since they were released. I live in the US and was having zero luck. I spoke with the e-boutique who told me she could not even find it in the catalogue. She took down my email and said she would investigate.

I got this in an email the next day:

"I hope this email finds you well. Kindly note, The tank SolarBeat timepiece you inquired about has been retired and thus, is unfortunately unavailable for purchase.

As an alternative, you may wish to discover our Tank Must collection, which is very similar to the creation which sparked your interest."

I am not sure if this is a US, North America or global issue.

Not to be deterred I started calling the boutiques outside the US and found a sales rep that had 1 large SolarBeat in the UK. I had to wire the funds and pick it up in person. I decided to pull the trigger and figure out how to get it down the road. By complete luck, I have an old college buddy heading to this country in mid March and have arranged for him to pick it up.

I think these are going to be Unicorns, this next part is a guess but I think the supply chain for the solar components is just completely dried up or the cost has soared to make this a no-go. I am super excited, but trying to keep that low key until it arrives back in my hands. I'll post some pics when it arrives.

The Solarbeat doesn't appear on the US website but when I checked the France website, it's there. Also noticed that the US site has all of the Tank Americain versions while the French site is missing some.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by texasmade

The Solarbeat doesn't appear on the US website but when I checked the France website, it's there. Also noticed that the US site has all of the Tank Americain versions while the French site is missing some.

I don’t see it on the French website but then again my French isn’t great


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[DonLee]

Originally Posted by youthagainsttt

Hi guys, I was wondering how's the availability in your area and any owners' feedback after getting the watch. FYI I've already got a Cartier de Santos, fancied getting a Tank as well & then this came up. Also I've put myself on the waiting list & just got the call

Previously I had a Reverso grande calendar, was also looking at tribute small seconds. This would be a watch I'd wear to work, tks.

I was so looking forward to this since early last year. Still don't see it on the website...

[texasmade]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

I don’t see it on the French website but then again my French isn’t great


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Luckily mine is passable

https://www.cartier.com/fr-fr/montre...nk_Men-Watches