How does Cartier Santos stack up against Rolex?

[FL2024]

I am almost certain the Santos will be my next purchase and first non-Rolex.

I have a few questions.

Is Santos on-par with Rolex of similar price point (let's say a Sub, Datejust, Explorer, etc...) in terms of prestige?

How recognizable is it compared to Rolex?

Lastly how is the quality and durability? I know Rolex can sustain rough use but how about the Santos?

Thanks.

[Kinnakeet]

I see Cartiers out and about often. Usually will see half a dozen at the mall. My AD has said he sells 30 per week on average. I have the mid size santos with diamond bezel. The bracelet design is very clever. Cartier service is the best. Especially at the boutique in NYC.

Cartier is Cartier. The moments in my experience with 3 are that they are very accurate. On a whole a would say in my opinion the build quality of Rolex is much higher.

[WatchTimes]

I have the mid size SS Santos as well
I think it's one of the most comfortable watches I own.
I own several Rolex models from the Sub to the DD and I find myself wearing the Cartier quite a bit. It's a great watch for a lazy Sunday at home or dressed for a nice dinner out.
Cartier has always been relevant.

Actually I like the Santos so much I keep kicking around the idea of getting one in YG.

The new quick swap system for the bracelet is great, the only problem for me is I just like watches on bracelets more so I only put it on the strap once. It was so easy though!

[MichelleP]

Another Medium Santos owner. I love mine. Very comfortable and as others have said, the quick change strap is great. I also have multiple Rolex watches and the Santos gets quite a bit of wrist time

[Tools]

Originally Posted by FL2024

. . .

Is Santos on-par with Rolex of similar price point (let's say a Sub, Datejust, Explorer, etc...) in terms of prestige?

How recognizable is it compared to Rolex?

. . .

If you are looking for recognition, then no watch compares to a Rolex amongs the masses. It takes someone who actually knows what a Cartier or other high-end watch looks like to know what you are wearing.

Of course, many who know Rolex is a high end watch can't actually pick one out in a crowd, they just know the brand.

Cartier is a great watch and part of the Richemont Group.

[AAMD11]

Own a couple of Rolex and the large Santos. The versatility of the Santos is impressive. The ability to change the strap/bracelet with the quick switch system, as well as quick link with sizing it, A+ Personally I see myself wearing my Santos more than my Rolex. Brand recognition? I don’t think you could ever mistake a Cartier from anything else in general, they are known for their shapes. Build quality is great, I find them to punch higher than their weight with build, quality and price. I say go for it. My only issue before I got mine was whether I wanted to go with large or medium. I have to have a date function so I went with large. It wears so well that the large ended up fitting my wrist perfectly. Medium would have been a bit small for me. Cheers

[In-N-Out]

Cartier is apparently hot right now per Ben Clymer.

I have the TT medium. it's a beautiful watch and I think is way more elegant than any rolex. I think AP and Cartier make the best TT watches in the game. love the stainless steel and the gold screw/bolts

however, these are not as sturdy as Rolex of course, and the bezel on the Santos will scratch if you just look at it

[Guppydriver]

Originally Posted by In-N-Out

and the bezel on the Santos will scratch if you just look at it

Which is the exclusive reason I don't own one yet. I really love the two tone, I just can't get myself to pull the trigger!

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

Which is the exclusive I don't own one yet. I really love the two tone, I just can't get myself to pull the trigger!

Husband had the TT. Very nice.

[Copasetic]

Originally Posted by Kinnakeet

I see Cartiers out and about often. Usually will see half a dozen at the mall. My AD has said he sells 30 per week on average.

30 per week? Wow! That’s over 1500 per year. Is your AD a single store or does it have multiple locations? That’s a lot of watches, especially for only one model.

[WatchEater666]

They are very nice but definitely won't be as robust as a Rolex.

I've come close to buying one a few times and my main issue is that they look quite a bit worse with some wear.

[In-N-Out]

Originally Posted by Guppydriver

Which is the exclusive reason I don't own one yet. I really love the two tone, I just can't get myself to pull the trigger!

honestly I think it looks great once it's fully micro scratched and patina'd. it doesn't look great when it's semi new with only a hairline scratches that stick out....but once it's really worn and has dozens/hundreds of micro scratches...it looks pretty good.

in any case, the Santos go for a lot under retail from my knowledge and I think it's a great buy compared to basic rolex models like DJ, OP, and Subs

[RoRoRo]

I have the Cartier Santos large amongst 4 Rolex watches.

The Santos gets worn the most, it is my daily. Primarily because it is un-Rolex. I don’t want conversations to happen daily in my work about my watch, I prefer the elegance of it, and it’s a chameleon when you change the strap from bracelet to leather to rubber.

I actually like the way the smooth bezel scratches and has its own charm and patina.

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by Copasetic

30 per week? Wow! That’s over 1500 per year. Is your AD a single store or does it have multiple locations? That’s a lot of watches, especially for only one model.

That’s Cartier watches in general. Not the santos alone.

[1William]

I like the Cartier Santo and most things about it. With that said, Rolex is the one for me. I would probably own the Cartier if I had an AD close by but I do not.

[DavidSB]

My wife and I have had multiple Cartier watches over the years, but not (yet) a Santos. They have all be accurate, rugged, waterproof and fast and relatively inexpensive to service and the customer service is top notch.

[bradu-yyc]

I just bought a Santos today, SS Large and so far I love it!! Beautiful watch.

I went into the AD looking for a Dumont but found that it was a bit too "slight" (for lack of a better word) for my taste. I have one Rolex (41mm OP silver dial) which I also love but I'm not tied to any brand. I also have a Tudor, GS, Seiko, Tag, Casio/G-shock, Tissot/Mido and my next will be an Omega, they all make some great watches. I think after the Omega I might venture into the German brands.

[GB-man]

The only company with a brand and designs as iconic as Rolex. Build quality is lower than Rolex. That could be said about most brands to be fair.

A good buy in the under 10k segment. I don’t favor their expensive stuff.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by GB-man

The only company with a brand and designs as iconic as Rolex. Build quality is lower than Rolex. That could be said about most brands to be fair.

A good buy in the under 10k segment. I don’t favor their expensive stuff.

Disagree about the build quality. My Santos green is as well built and is of the same quality as any Rolex I've owned or own.

The bracelet for one with its quick release mechanism and link removal system is a work of engineering art

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Disagree about the build quality. My Santos green is as well built and is of the same quality as any Rolex I've owned or own.

The bracelet for one with its quick release mechanism and link removal system is a work of engineering art

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I’d normally agree Tom but build quality is quite objective.

I’m interested to hear why you think a Rolex has better build quality than a Santos?


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[Devildog]

Originally Posted by FL2024

I am almost certain the Santos will be my next purchase and first non-Rolex.

I have a few questions.

Is Santos on-par with Rolex of similar price point (let's say a Sub, Datejust, Explorer, etc...) in terms of prestige?

How recognizable is it compared to Rolex?

Lastly how is the quality and durability? I know Rolex can sustain rough use but how about the Santos?

Thanks.

OP

Cartier is one of the most iconic brands out there.

Watch wise, the Santos is in much lower demand. I walked in and bought mine on the spot. Similar cost to a Datejust with a steel bezel and just a nicer watch in my opinion

The bracelet is better than anything from Rolex and has a button operated butterfly clasp.

The only downside is no micro adjustments but the links are small and have integral toolless damage free adjustment. I say toolless but a toothpick or similar helps

Prestige is a hard one and will depend upon the environment you find yourself in.

There will be Cartier wearers who think Rolex is tacky and classless.

There will be Rolex wearers that think Cartier is a fashion brand.

Both will be wrong to varying degrees.

My Santos is significantly classier than any Rolex I’ve owned or own. It just is. All their watches are.

The Santos also has significant historical provenance- more so than Rolex. The Santos was the very first men’s wristwatch.

It’s named after Alberto Santos-Dumont, the first person ever filmed in an airplane in 1906. He had a Cartier on his wrist.

Quality wise, subject to a friendly debate, it’s as good as any Rolex in my experience.

The strap comes with a very elegant deployant clasp and is included with the watch (various others are available from Cartier.

And the quick release system allows simple changes for two watches in one - note the time difference in these two pictures from today.

In short, I love mine and it probably gets more wrist time than my 116509 Daytona or 16600 Sea Dweller combined.








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[alllexandru]

That green is a stunner, great Santos!
Prestige is higher with Cartier but who cares, if you like it you like it not for prestige but for the classic look.
Same as Rolex but less prestige in terms of class compared with Cartier

[brandrea]

It’s a wonderful brand with some very iconic models (I know it’s an overused term ).

I bought both of my nieces Francaise Tanks to celebrate them back in the day. They still wear them to this day





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[Jerrocop]

Comparing the Santos to Rolex, the Santos isn't as accurate.

[Kinnakeet]

Originally Posted by Jerrocop

Comparing the Santos to Rolex, the Santos isn't as accurate.

3 Santos’ all three run about 2 secs fast per week.

[Jerrocop]

Originally Posted by Kinnakeet

3 Santos’ all three run about 2 secs fast per week.

That's awesome and incredibly better than the movement specs.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Isn’t it the original “wrist watch”?- designed for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont at the turn of the century? That says it all for me. Although, I prefer the Tank Basculante, personally

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by Devildog

I’d normally agree Tom but build quality is quite objective.

I’m interested to hear why you think a Rolex has better build quality than a Santos?


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That was meant to be tongue in cheek but I’m sure you got that.

Honestly just the feel when I hold them in hand. I’ve also been told by a watchmaker their base movements are a downgrade from rolex. Take it for what it’s worth.

Honestly I would happily buy a Cartier. I like the brand. I like the santos and the tank. I bought my wife a tank. I think it looks better on her than her Rolex.

[AAMD11]

I said my two cents but I’ll chime in again. For me, personally, I find the Santos and Cartier overall to be a more elegant watch, brand. Between Rolex OP, DJ I’ll take a Santos, and I put my money on it. The versatility is there as is the elegance. Cheers!