Please help me choose a watch (pics included).

[WilsonMilson]

I have a birthday coming up, and DH is going to buy me an expensive watch. I would love an Omega Manhattan Constellation, but the one I like is nearly £5k and just too expensive. I have narrowed it down to two choices, completely and utterly different and around the same price.

The first is a newly released Tag Aquaracer Professional 200 with a beautiful blue/teal iridescent face and diamond dot. The second is a classic entry level Cartier Tank.

I want it to be durable and tough enough to wear every day but still elegant enough to be worn in the evening. I know the Tank is the obvious choice as it is a classic, but I just wondered if it’s a bit ubiquitous and not as unique and fun as the Tag. What do you think?

Also a steel Cartier really is wearable every day. It’s plain!!

I absolutely adore your Omega. Lucky you, it’s beautiful! I would love a Constellation Manhattan with mother of Pearl face, but it’s just too expensive for right now.

I think I’ve made my choice though (will post separately).

Thank you for all your responses, I’ve read every single one and they’ve all helped shape my choice. They are both beautiful watches and I know I won’t go far wrong with either.

What had clinched it for me is the Tag being an automatic watch, whereas the Tank I was looking at is a quartz. I think I’d rather go purist and have the automatic - I know it’s more for servicing, but somehow feels like a proper timepiece, a bit of art as well as a functional watch. Also, I think it’s a bit different and I do love the blue mother of pearl face. I’ll post a pic then I get it.

So thank you watch lovers, you’ve been a great help!

The first pic. Gorgeous

Tag. The tank one looks like something from the Argos jewellery section to me. Sorry!

The Cartier is a timeless classic.

@WilsonMilson
I didn’t realise that the Tag was an automatic. Lots are not. I do like a good automatic watch!

Oh OP, tough decision but such a lovely one.

I love Cartiers - I love how solidly chunky they are while to me, they just exude understated class. I loved the Tank but wanted something with a bit more ooomph, so I have the Santos which is bigger and my God, I love it! I wear it every day and it brings me endless joy.

The key is whether you've tried them on - do they suit you equally well? If you're still undecided, toss a coin and if you're disappointed with the result, there's your answer.

Enjoy your watch - whichever one you go for!

Oooooo the dial looks beautiful in the real-life pic you posted, @WilsonMilson - stunning. I think you made the right choice. Let's see it on your wrist now!

How about the Cartier Santos, it's been on my wrist continuously since 2004, a step up from the tank.

I like the cartier better.

Tank, classic, timeless and elegant

@DeathWinsAGolfish
The Tank is the classic Cartier for many people. But if you want an auto the price is high.

I see I've joined this too late and you've decided on the Tag.

I am glad because I read the OP and thought "she wants the Tag, but thinks the Tank is the more sensible /long lasting/versatile choice and the watch she should have, but the watch she wants to have is the Tag."

So I wasn't going to put my opinion on at all really, just tell you to get the watch you really want. It would be rubbish to wear a watch that gave you slightly less joy every day, just so that when you occasionally go out for a formal occasion, you didn't have a slightly more daytime watch on your wrist than would be ideal.

I’ll update this thread with pic on my wrist when I get it - will be within a week or two. Really excited now, happy with my choice. And you were right @MargosKaftan, I think I did really want the Tag but I thought perhaps the Tank seemed the all round more sensible choice. So I’ve thrown caution to the wind, and I’m feeling good about it.

Good choice. I personally think you could absolutely wear that in the evening - it's slightly subversive.

You’re absolutely right to choose the one which you love!

Good choice... I have a black mother of pearl face on my Tag and it's beautiful, the way the light catches them is so pretty! Excited to see it on you 🙂

I get my watch this afternoon! Very excited. Apparently I’m going to have a ‘memorable experience’ according to the jeweller’s email to DH (it’s a birthday gift). They give you cheap fizz champagne and what not, but I did laugh at the ‘memorable experience’ bit, the mind boggles! I’m thinking hot topless men presenting me with my watch!
Anyway, I’ll post a pic when I have it.

Well, I had a lovely afternoon and now feel bad for laughing about the ‘memorable experience’, because it was, it was great.
The jewellers went over and above, I got a framed pic of me with the watch, a Tag pen, a handwritten birthday card and a couple of glasses of champagne as the links were adjusted and everything was explained to me (and DH tried on some watches himself). It was very nice indeed and I felt very pampered (and a bit pissed by the time I left).
Here’s the watch on my wrist (right arm as I’m left handed).

Looks really lovely on you, happy birthday

It's gorgeous! Looks great on you, really love the colour of the dial. So nice that they made it special for you

Love it!

That's so lovely OP - the second pic you posted really swung it for me and it looks even more fantastic on.

Dangerous place to drink though - I would have come out with a ring and earrings to compliment it

Congrats Op. it's absolutely beautiful. I got a longine for my 40th which I had wanted for 10 years. I'm still completely in love with it now & I really get pleasure from wearing it.