When it comes to chic heritage watches that are super recognisable, few come close to Cartier’s many collector favourites. The iconic Cartier Tank has defined what a dress watch looks like (aided by a few other big players like the JLC Reverso). In the ’70s, when Mohammed Ali wasn’t landing knockouts in the ring, he was rocking a dainty Tank JC; fast forward to the ’80s, Pierce Brosnan was partial to a Panthére and Tank Française. And more recently, perfect super clone Cartier dress watches have been the go-to for Paul Mescal, Jacob Elordi, Rami Malek, and Timothée Chalamet.
It’s a cultural/design power combo that makes Cartier ultra desirable for watch guys tapped into the zeitgeist and keen to bag an investment for themselves. According to data compiled by watch trading platform Subdial reported in Bloomberg, “Cartier is the only brand whose individual index has posted gains since January of 2023, rising about 4% in two years as collector interest in smaller, shaped jewellery watches gained traction.”
Of course, we’re advocates for following your heart and buying the AAA UK Cartier replica watches you like then wearing it 24/7 – not a care in the world about its perceived value – but if you are looking for an investment, Cartier is a solid option.
“Cartier watches are well constructed with robust designs that are resilient to daily wear. The classic designs allow the watches to be versatile and a solid choice for an everyday watch,” says Jonathan Darracott, Bonhams Global Head of Watches. “Cartier super clone watches for sale have a history of maintaining their value but if you are looking to buy with a view of reselling, consider anything classic. The Cartier Tank is a perfect example of this with its design having endured for over 100 years – it’s as stable as it gets.”
The cheap AAA Cartier Tank fake watches was inspired by the Renault Tank used in the First World War (hence the name). But not all Tanks hold the same value. “They only made the Tank Louis in precious metals as opposed to the newer Tank Solos which are in steel. So the Tank Louis is your quintessential Tank. It’s the real essence of where it all began, it’s been made for over 100 years. It’s incredibly versatile,” says Alex Stevens, a vintage watch dealer. “It’s always going to be a staple. It’s always going to hold its value.”
This is backed up by Adrian Hailwood, founder of The Watch Scholar, who advises sticking to classic pieces. “While some oddball watches are attracting considerable attention at auction [Crash, Pebble, etc], these are rare because of their avant-garde nature, they did not sell in large numbers when first introduced and so are prized rarities for collectors. Such bubbles of interest can be short lived, while the more conventional styles endure,” says Hailwood.
If there’s a watch to endure short-lived trend cycles, it’s the high quality UK Cartier Santos super clone watches – what many consider to be the first male wrist watch. The Santos was first released in 1904 and was designed for aviation pioneer Albert Santos-Dumont who wanted a way to check the time without his hands leaving the plane’s apparatus. So by owning one you’ve got the history box covered.
On the vintage side of things you’ve got a few options with the luxury Cartier Santos copy watches. And stainless steel models are sturdy enough for everyday wear and will hold up to harsher dinks better than your 18k gold Tank Louis. Take the Cartier Santos Carree, for example. “On the vintage side, references 2960 and 2961 are great, both are classic. It probably lends itself a bit better to slightly more casual [outfits]. It can go with anything, it pairs well with jewellery if you’ve got the steel and gold version, and you’ve got some gold bangles and bracelets,” says Stevens. “You can get a nice vintage 2960 or 2961 for maybe £4000. And they’ve just been gradually ticking up over the years but still great value for one of the icons. Mechanical, vintage, in good nick. A great option.”
Like any watch that does well on the secondary market, or appreciates in value, rarity is going to drive up the price, even with newer models. Take the 2023 Cartier Santos Dumont skeleton. It was released in steel, rose gold and a limited-edition run of 150 yellow gold models. With an open-worked design revealing a calibre 9629 MC automatic movement and micro rotor mini plane nodding to the Swiss made super clone Cartier watches‘ flyboy roots, it’s the kind of ticker that oozes with grail appeal.
Gold isn’t as hardy as stainless steel but it’s long been the de facto metal for luxury wrist watches, so as long as you’re mindful you’ve got it on, you should be good. Bagging one of these for under £30k is going to be a struggle, but as far as Cartiers go, scarcity alone is enough to hold and appreciate in value.
Usually, less mainstream replica Cartier watches wholesale pack in precious metals and killer movements as part of a small production run to draw in serious collectors. And Cartier does this really well with its Privé collection; a limited-edition line conceived in 1998 that it adds to each year with updated nods to the archive.
“In the past few years we have seen a surging demand for Cartier super clone watches shop especially in the Collection Privée collection. These models offer original and quirky designs adapted to modern dimensions and made in such small quantities that they are rarely seen on others, adding the dash of ‘individualism’ collectors are searching for today,” says Alexandre Ghotbi, Head of Europe and Middle East for Phillips Watches. “These models have a strong personality, an off the beaten road design, a prestigious name and history.” They look to the archive but they’re beefed-up and more durable than the originals, like the resurrected Privé Tortue from 2024, the insanely collectable barrel-shaped watch that first released in 1912. It’s uniquely shaped, released in a limited-edition run of 200, and speaks to the brand’s history, and really taps into what collectors are looking for today.
Pierre Rainero, Cartier’s Director of Image, Style, and Heritage, summed up the Cartier Privé approach nicely: “we also have some considerations about a watch being more waterproof and more solid, so it’s not exactly the same as the ones of a century ago. We have to manage both considerations—the faithfulness to the original design, and the minimum demand for more durable items corresponding to a life of today.”
Bagging vintage top Cartier fake watches as your daily timepiece may well be the dream scenario but Alan Bedwell, founder and curator of vintage watch and accessories platform Foundwell, recommends you adhere to this golden nugget of advice. “Condition. Condition. Condition. Sadly, due to the construction of almost all vintage Cartier watch cases, dials and to a lesser extent, movements, are victim to damage via dirt and moisture.” If you’re in any doubt, it’s best to ask questions and get a second opinion where you can. If you’re wearing your watch everyday, there’s a high chance these issues will get worse and your watch could go down in value.
External sexiness is where Cartier excels, both on the vintage and new market and definitely something you should consider if you’re wearing it everyday. But paying attention to the movements can tack on some investment value. Case in point, getting hold of an early Tank automatic. “They are rare, original examples with original Paris signed dials are highly sought after and rarely come up. The unusual bump on the case back holds the space for the rotor, which makes the overall shape novel and interesting off the wrist. Also, they are the first time Cartier experimented in an automatic movement with a Tank,” says Bedwell. But again when it comes to 1:1 China super clone Cartier watches UK that hold their value, it’s the designs that people are still wearing and gassing up today, years after their release. “When it comes to design of any capacity design that lasts, without degrees of change, then it illustrates how good it was from the offset. The beauty of Cartier, on so many levels, is that their iconic pieces have seen little to no change in decades, if not more,” says Bedwell.
So, keeping an eye on the quality and investing in timeless design are givens. But if you are to take one piece of advice, let it be this from Hailwood. “Investment is largely luck and BS. Buy it ‘cos you like it.”
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