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Best Cartier Watches

Updated August 2021
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Cartier Men's Calibre Watch
Cartier
Men's Calibre Watch
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Sophisticated and Versatile
Bottom Line

With its silver case and brown leather strap, this men's Cartier watch is brimming with sophisticated style.

Pros

This handsome watch has a classic round face with bold Roman numerals and luminous hands for easy viewing. It features a self-winding mechanism so you never have to worry about winding, and the stylish crocodile leather band makes the watch a versatile accessory.

Cons

While price probably isn't the primary concern when choosing a luxury item, this is an expensive choice.

Best Bang for the Buck
Cartier Tank Solo
Cartier
Tank Solo
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Elegant and Reliable
Bottom Line

Stainless steel dress watch with opaline dial and spinel cabochon gemstone on crown.

Pros

Elegant Cartier timepiece with matching stainless steel bracelet. Reliable quartz movement.

Cons

Lacks date functionality. Quartz movement holds less value over time compared to mechanical or automatic movements.

Cartier Women's Ballon Bleu Dress Watch
Cartier
Women's Ballon Bleu Dress Watch
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Most Stylish
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An elegant stainless-steel quartz watch with an eye-catching silver opalescent dial.

Pros

The most striking feature of this opulent timepiece is its pair of blue sword-shaped steel hands. The slightly smaller size enhances the posh design. Sapphire crystal dial window is remarkably durable and serves to intensify the flair.

Cons

A dash of the elegance may be diminished for some with the asymmetrical placement of the "III."

Cartier Men's Drive Watch
Cartier
Men's Drive Watch
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Simple Yet Solid
Bottom Line

A smart-looking, unassuming black and gray watch with an exquisite design.

Pros

This stainless-steel watch features automatic self-winding movement and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal dial window. It is water-resistant up to a depth of 100 feet and has a convenient push-button release on the clasp.

Cons

Unless you're missing a little pop of color on the hands, it's hard to find fault with this model.

Cartier Women's Santos Demoiselle Watch
Cartier
Women's Santos Demoiselle Watch
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Comfortable and Eye-Catching
Bottom Line

A comfortable and elegant watch that is a striking tribute to the aviation pioneer Santos-Dumont.

Pros

With its sharply contrasting gold and silver design, blue steel hands, and silvered opaline dial, this watch is an attention grabber. It features quartz movement and has an octagonal-shaped gold crown and a sleek, hidden deployment clasp for enhanced elegance.

Cons

Since this timepiece is manufactured using 18k gold, there is a possibility of scratching if it is not handled properly.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for Best Cartier watches

Purchasing a luxury item isn't about need; it's about making a statement. While you definitely should expect superior craftsmanship and unparalleled performance, you also get status. Wearing a globally recognized luxury item, such as a Cartier watch, puts you in a category that is populated by innovative thinkers and admired leaders such as Andy Warhol and President John F. Kennedy.

However, besides being a statement, the right Cartier watch is an investment that can hold its value. When shopping, authenticity is crucial — don't be fooled by imitations. Also, you need to consider your budget because even a low-end Cartier watch costs over $2,000.

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Cartier was founded more than 170 years ago and has been called "the jeweler of kings."

Considerations

Before getting into the details of finding the ideal Cartier watch for you, there are a few overall considerations to think about.

Authenticity

The most important aspect of purchasing a Cartier watch is to make sure that it is authentic. Be cautious, do your research, and only purchase from a reputable dealer. In the FAQ section below, we offer a few tips that can help you discern if a watch is truly a Cartier watch.

Gender

Obviously, a woman can wear a man's watch, and vice versa. However, when it comes to style, a Cartier watch that is designed for a man has a different look and size than one that is designed for a woman.

Size

Cartier watches come in a general range of dimensions. Depending on the particular model you choose, you may have a selection that covers mini, small, medium, large, and extra-large watches. Choose the size that best suits your wrist.

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Did You Know?
When Andy Warhol wore his favorite watch, a Cartier Tank, he allegedly never wound it. The pop artist declared that he didn't wear it to tell time; he wore it because it was "the watch to wear."
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Features

Cartier offers an extensive selection of watch styles ranging in price from $2,500 to over $300,000, with most in the $6,000 to $36,000 range. You can choose your favorite by scrolling through hundreds of pictures to find the one that speaks to you, or you can swiftly zero in on the perfect Cartier watch for you by focusing on just a handful of features. The following are some key elements you can use to help you make your decision.

Shape

Because many individuals gravitate toward a certain favorite shape, choosing the shape of the watch face can help to narrow down your Cartier watch selection. Besides the basic round, oval, square, and rectangular models, Cartier also offers the tonneau, which has curved sides that give the watch face a barrel shape.

Materials

Case: The watch case is another design element to consider. Cartier watches have cases in yellow gold, pink gold (made with a copper alloy), steel, black steel, and gold and steel options.

Strap: Cartier makes it easy because they only offer two options: leather or metal. However, if you have trouble deciding or you'd like a little more versatility, you can purchase a watch that has interchangeable leather and metal bands.

Gemstones: The company has a jewelry line that is set with precious stones, which can be on the case and the strap. If you crave even more extravagance, Cartier offers a small selection of watches with diamonds set in the case and, in some models, the strap.

Movement

As far as the watch movement goes, you have three options: quartz, self-winding, or manual winding. A quartz watch is powered by a battery. A self-winding watch is powered by the motion of the wearer's wrist. A manual winding watch needs to be wound by hand. Choose the option that is most desirable to you.

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Cartier is often pronounced kahr-tee-ay. However, if you'd like to use a more typical French pronunciation, say kah-tee-ay.

FAQ about Cartier watches

Q. How can I tell a Cartier watch is real?

A. Signs to look for when purchasing a Cartier watch include proper spelling, a hefty weight, and scratch-proof glass. Also, the back of a genuine Cartier watch features an engraved serial number that consists of two letters and six digits.

Q. What is Cartier's position on environmental issues?

A. Three of Cartier's key environmental pledges are to minimize the company's negative impact on the environment, manage waste in a responsible manner, and reduce consumption of water and energy.

Q. What is the Cartier Women's Initiative?

A. The Cartier Women's Initiative was founded in 2006 as an international program that spotlights women entrepreneurs who are making a difference in their industries. The program helps provide laureates with the assistance they need to grow their business, including resources and mentoring.

Jackie Kennedy gave John F. Kennedy an engraved 18-karat gold Cartier watch for their fourth anniversary.

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