Not long ago, we reported that according to the statistics of the well-known second-hand luxury platform Fashionphile, the market’s fondness for Cartier watches is increasing day by day. As of 2024, the number of searches for Cartier watches by consumers on Fashionphile has doubled compared to 2023. Coincidentally, the renowned online second-hand watch trading platform Chrono24 has also noticed that the popularity of Cartier watches in recent years has almost reached an all-time high. This can even be glimpsed in auctions. For instance, a Crash watch fetched a new record price of $1.65 million for the series at an auction in 2022. Additionally, the quotations for rare variants of the Tank series such as Normale or Cintrée in the secondary market are increasingly astonishing.
Chrono24 believes that the great popularity of Cartier watches reflects the changing preferences of the market. Previously, the market was dominated by steel sports watches for many years. However, as the saying goes, “Things will reverse when they reach an extreme.” When the craze for this style of sports watches started to decline from its peak, watches with relatively elegant and classic designs had the opportunity to regain the market’s attention. Thus, Cartier watches emerged under such a transition.
The inquiry about Cartier watches in the secondary market has been high in recent years. Both men and women can find a watch that suits their preferences within the brand’s series.
There are reasons for the fondness of Cartier watches. Their design sense is highly recognizable. Unlike most brands that follow the traditional creation of round watch cases, for Cartier, round cases are in the minority. For those who are a little tired of the sports watch craze, the appearance of Cartier watches is definitely persuasive. Just finding a favorite design within their series is a great pleasure. Therefore, Chrono24 has also summarized for us, from their big data on the website, the best-selling and most beloved Cartier watches. The following are listed from the 5th place to the 1st place (including the series name and model).
5th Place: Tank Must XL WSTA0040
For those looking for a large-sized formal style, this Tank Must might be your target. Its case size is 41x31mm, one size larger than the classic Tank Louis, so your wrist circumference needs to be large enough to support this watch. WSTA0040 is a stainless steel model, which is more low-key and durable than precious metal models. This Tank Must XL has an additional seconds hand, which slightly conflicts with Cartier’s emphasis on a simple design. However, the guilloche decoration on the dial adds points back. Additionally, the watch also has a date display, which directly replaces the Roman numeral hour marker at 6 o’clock. But it is quite appropriately located in a position that is not particularly noticeable but can provide the necessary information when needed.
4th Place: Tank Louis 78086
The great classic of the Tank series ranks 4th on this list. This is also the most common image when many people mention Cartier watches. The diameter of this model 78086 is 30x23mm. Its case and buckle are made of gold, and the dial is Cartier’s representative design, such as the track-style scale, Roman numeral hour markers, and blue steel hands, etc. Moreover, “PARIS” is printed at 6 o’clock, highlighting the brand’s birthplace. The watch is equipped with a manual winding movement. The usage experience is as elegant as the watch’s appearance. And compared to the large size of the Tank Must XL, the Tank Louis 78086 is relatively more suitable for most people to wear as a classic Cartier.
3rd Place: Panthère 1070
The first two are both from the Tank series. However, at this point, a Panthère series, which is considered a women’s watch line, appears. This model has been very popular among female collectors in recent years. Its square case size is 22mm, which is small and exquisite when worn on the hand. The case material of the Panthère 1070 model is made of gold, paired with a metal bracelet of the same material. Therefore, when it is actually worn on the hand, it has a certain weight. But this apparently does not affect women’s willingness to wear it. The dial of the watch is also the classic Cartier timepiece line. The two-hand display is neat and has personality. The matching ability brought by the outstanding design is even stronger than the simple function of reading time.
2nd Place: Santos 100 XL 2656
If you pursue the design style of Cartier watches but haven’t been able to switch your preference completely to the delicate and elegant line of formal watches, Santos 100 XL becomes an excellent stepping stone for the market to experience the brand’s timepiece genes. For a brand that started with jewelry, at first glance, Santos 100 XL’s bold and masculine lines may seem a bit discordant. But when the wearer is a male, this strong presence of the style is actually quite appropriate. Although the style will have subtle differences when paired with a leather strap or rubber strap, the large size of the watch, the luminous coating on the hands, etc., all demonstrate its positioning towards the sports watch type.
1st Place: Santos De Cartier WSSA0029
The best-selling Cartier watch on Chrono24 coincides with what many people want the most, which is the basic model of Santos De Cartier that has been like the brand’s timepiece facade in recent years. However, the best-selling model WSSA0029 on Chrono24 is actually a medium-sized model rather than a large-sized one. The watch size is 35.1×35.1mm, which is a size suitable for both men and women. The Santos series has a development history of over 100 years. The watch’s appearance largely inherits the features from a hundred years ago. At the same time, Cartier has continuously refined the overall design details over the years. The current version of Santos De Cartier has a refined and exquisite appearance, almost flawless. At the same time, Cartier also leads the trend of the times by developing the QuickSwitch strap quick-release system and the SmartLink easy-adjust link design for the bracelet. Whether the watch owner wants to change the strap or adjust the strap length, this piece can allow you to easily complete it by yourself. Finally, importantly, this is a watch that is easily recognizable by watch fans when worn out. It combines practicality and good taste. No wonder it is the most popular.
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