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Original poster

Anyone have a Cartier watch?

27 replies

suburbandweller · 09/08/2012 10:47

I'm planning to treat myself with my return to work bonus and as I've been hankering after a Cartier watch for ages, I thought that might be where my hard-earned gets frittered away. Does anyone have one? Any negatives I need to know about (other than servicing costs which I have no doubt will be excruciating)?

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 09/08/2012 11:24

it will come back from servicing looking like new.

A replacement strap is surprisingly expensive but they will re-use the original special clasp. Keep the clasp in good order, if you drop or lose it you will be sorry.

As long as you keep having it serviced they seem to extend the warranty (except for accidental damage)

You have to send it to their own workshop for servicing (or I presume an accredited dealer would post it on and add a charge)

If you are used to quartz watches you will find it stunningly inconvenient if you get a wind-up watch

Watch enthusiasts sneer at quartz Cartiers and say they are jewellery not watches.

I like the Tank as it is simple, understated and very stylish. I suppose some people like the ones encrusted with diamonds. If you have diamonds added later by some back-street jeweller it annoys Cartier and I think they quibble over guarantees or servicing or something.

If you buy it in the UK it will be hallmarked

If you buy it overseas you will either have to declare it at customs, and it will cost the same as if you'd bought it here; or you will run the constant fear of confiscation and a fine.

Be sure to put it on your household and travel insurance as a specified item, all-risks. They will want to see the receipt and/or recent valuation if you make a claim,

Don't flash it about in bars, shops or the street

Keep the original box and papers safely, where a burglar will not find them.

Browse the catalogue at your leisure before you buy one. Make sure it is from an accredited dealer.

Original poster
suburbandweller · 09/08/2012 11:47

Thanks - I hope to buy one from Cartier in Selfridges tonight if they have what I want (I'm after a Tank - understated is very much my thing). Was hoping to go to one of the Cartier boutiques to get the full experience but they close at 6 so I won't get there in time after work

OP posts:
PigletJohn · 09/08/2012 12:17

I'd recommend spending a few days browsing the glossy catalogue (you will have to ask, and write in, the prices)

there might be one they don't keep in stock that you like, and the ranges are spread over price-points, for a major to purchase it would be a pity if in a week's time you think "I wish I'd bought the...."

btw black numerals on white face are easiest to read. Roman nums posher.

Original poster
suburbandweller · 09/08/2012 14:23

Thanks - they've actually had a bit of a turnaround in policy it seems as you can now see prices on the website! I think that must be pretty recent as they definitely weren't there last time I looked.

OP posts:
bamboostalks · 09/08/2012 14:26

Wow PigletJohn....fantastic thorough advice.

Zhaghzhagh · 09/08/2012 14:30

If you buy it overseas you will either have to declare it at customs, and it will cost the same as if you'd bought it here; or you will run the constant fear of confiscation and a fine.

Perhaps a tad OTT

diedandgonetodevon · 09/08/2012 14:38

Zhaghzhagh it's not really ott. Customs are pretty hot on making sure expensive watches are legit. I was held at Heathrow for several hours a few years ago until DH could drive the papers down for my watch to prove it was genuine. It was a Rolex not Cartier but I'm sure the same applies.
I don't wear it abroad without the papers now. It was not a pleasant experience.

PigletJohn · 09/08/2012 15:05

it's not just the first time you bring it into the country, it's every time you go through customs with it for the rest of your life.

A UK hallmark will help, and I believe they are marked internally as well, in case of dispute. Cartier's records will show where it was sold, and who to. I got mine in Zermatt one year when business was good, got a Swiss duty refund but paid UK VAT on arrival.

Zhaghzhagh · 09/08/2012 15:10

I can't understand how or why customs would look at your wrist! I'm an expat and a very very frequent flyer - all over the world. I've never in my life had customs look at my wrist or inspect my jewellery.

PigletJohn · 09/08/2012 15:33

Easy peasy

A typical flash watch might cost between £2,000 and £10,000

VAT on that, if you import it to the UK, would be between £400 and £2,000

That's more money, and less time, than is evaded by smuggling a suitcase full of fags or booze.

Customs are quite interested in detecting smuggling, that's their job. Not everybody gets caught, of course, and not everybody gets caught first time.

I once parked on a double yellow line and didn't get a ticket; should I deduce that no-one ever does?

Rosa · 09/08/2012 15:52

Mine was a present, I don't even know which one it is but I have the papers. i have never carried them with me, have never been stopped at any airport. Infact dh had it in his handluggage wrapped when it was my xmas present in the UK. I love it its lightweight, chic, not an in you eye flashy one and I wear it daily except on the beach!!!!,

diedandgonetodevon · 09/08/2012 16:24

Well I went through something to declare as I had a fair bit of cash that I thought I ought to declare not my money btw was on a work trip. They didn't care about the money only whether I had any gold and then they clocked the watch and decided to investigate.

I doubt they routinely look at your wrists but if you are stopped or have to declare something else you'd better have your paperwork sorted or it's crap coffee in a polystyrene cup and the threat of a internal exam until someone rescues you Wink

MrsCampbellBlack · 09/08/2012 17:33

I've got the tank in stainless steel and love it.

Wear it every day and have done so for the nearly 7 years I've had it.

Would thoroughly recommend.

yesbutnobut · 09/08/2012 18:52

I have a gold tank and love it. By coincidence I had a new strap put on it today (£125 mind you) and it looks like a new watch even though it's 10 yrs old.

Great advice here: keep the original box and paperwork; look after the clasp as then you can just replace the leather strap; get it regularly serviced (yes it is very expensive and the watch has to go away, but it comes back like new).

I love my tank I have to say and wear it all the time.

Eliza22 · 10/08/2012 09:11

I Don't have a Cartier. But have a Gucci one that's 25 yrs old. Irreplaceable now as the Gucci styles are a bit fancy IMO. I love my watch. Worth every penny (was £800 in 1988). I usually have it serviced when it goes back to Gucci for a new battery, every 3 years or so, so, not expensive I'm my book.

Original poster
suburbandweller · 10/08/2012 09:18

Thanks for all the advice, especially from PigletJohn. I'm pleased to say I am now the proud owner of a very lovely steel and rose gold tank Smile. One piece of advice which I can now impart to those of you who are also lucky enough to have a Cartier watch is that the chap in the shop recommended that I go back for a revised value appraisal every couple of years - they put their prices up every year or so, so replacement value for insurance purposes will go up accordingly.

OP posts:
Pagwatch · 10/08/2012 09:22

Serious question then pigletjohn - my 19 year old has a rolex. He has been through customs with it several times but has never been asked about it. Should he travel with his documents?

PigletJohn · 10/08/2012 09:36

I don't know for sure, but I have heard that a legit watch bought in the UK has a secret identifying mark.

I bought mine in Switzerland so I sometimes carry a copy of the customs receipt from when I declared it at importation.

The makers keep good records by serial number of when and where they were sold, I wouldn't be surprised if Customs can check online.

Pagwatch · 10/08/2012 11:09

Oh that should be ok then. Thanks.

He is very sensible and doesn't take it everywhere but I had visions that he would be a prime candidate to be stopped iyswim

oliviafrombolivia · 10/08/2012 11:23

I have a tank solo and I nearly fell over when I got charged about £200 by Cartier in Bond Street for a new strap...! Lovely watch though, have had for 10 years now, and wear it every day..

suntodayplease · 10/08/2012 13:21

I think it's worth getting any investment watch revalued every year as they seem to go up and up and you will find yourself under insured. My DH bought me a Rolex in 2005, it has gone up by over 1/3 of the price we paid. His even more so.

suntodayplease · 10/08/2012 13:21

I think it's worth getting any investment watch revalued every year as they seem to go up and up and you will find yourself under insured. My DH bought me a Rolex in 2005, it has gone up by over 1/3 of the price we paid. His even more so.

marrysmith · 04/04/2015 12:19

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Cantdecideondinner · 04/04/2015 14:01

Another tip if you fancy a really top end watch but don't want to / can't spend the money is to buy a vintage one. My husband bought me a 1991 vintage Rolex for my 40th from a reputable dealer. Not only is it absolutely stunning, now very rare and was a fraction of the cost of new

GoodToesBadToes · 04/04/2015 14:11

Can I just say that PigletJohn is amazing and seems to be very knowledgable on every topic under the sun, from washing machines to Cartier watches. Piglet, if you are a man I would like to marry you please.

marrysmith that's quite a strange post, are you looking to sell your watch here??

I have a Cartier Santos in stainless steel. Blimmin LOVE it.

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