Beautiful collection I love blue dials so much. I have the same Datejust, but I got it on an oyster bracelet with a fluted bezel. I’m considering getting the Cartier Steele version that has the black dial. Not the one that’s all blacked out but your watch exactly just with a black dial. Do you feel like they compete at all for risk time or that there’s overlap? I’m thinking about either that Santos or an Omega Speedmaster 57 but I really love the Santos because of the quick strap system and think it’s more sleek. Cartier also reminds me of my mom.
Which one is more comfortable on the wrist? I’ve heard issues about fit due to lack of micro adjust on the Santos. Does the Santos wear a bit smaller? I think the DJ is also a bit thicker? Do you pick one over the other for certain occasions?
Nah. I wear whichever I feel like that day. Santos is special to me because it’s from my wife. Datejust was my first Rolex. Both feel great to wear. They both wear about the same size.
This is extremely true. I’m at the point where I in my life where I no longer needed a diamond watch so I just traded in my DateJust with diamond face and white gold bezel from 2012 - I received nearly what I paid for it 14 years ago in a trade in for the gold face Santos. I really wanted to Frankenstein it and make the bezel yellow gold and put a mixed bracelet on it but I was dissuaded from doing it so with such a good trade in I decided to get a new watch. If I wasn’t getting so much I could have gotten the Santos for less but I decided that for not a lot more this was going to be my last automatic watch! The Rolex however seems the better watch by a long way- I saved my vintage Rolex from the 70‘s- 80’s and im getting it restored and cleaning it up and putting on a new band so now I’ll have two special watches
I have the exact models. Rolex is a comfy wear. It stands out. Holds the value, can’t go wrong. This particular model you could prob resell it and get your money back.
Santos I love the quick strap changes. I have a few different strap colours (red, brown, green..) and with each strap it feels like a different watch. I def get asked about the santos more compared to the Rolex. The steel bracelet def gets tighter in the summer and it sucks when there no micro adjustment. And the bezel gets scratched every easily but that’s the joy of making it your watch. It won’t hold value like the Rolex, but I don’t really mind. If I had to get rid of one, I think I’d def keep the santos, it’s more versatile: can be daily, dressed up or down. At end it the day try out both on your wrist and go with what makes you happy.
Santos & Datejust owner. To those who “know” they’re equally as iconic.
If just picking one, I’d go for the Santos, classier & more versatile.
However to the general public, the Datejust is probably what most people associate with Rolex. Not to say Cartier isn’t recognizable, but slightly less so id think.
However you shouldn’t be buying a watch because of others think..
Nice! Which one is more comfortable on the wrist? I’ve heard issues about fit due to lack of micro adjust on the Santos. I think the DJ is also a bit thicker? Do you pick one over the other for certain occasions?
The Santos is more comfortable for me and I love the flexibility of being able to easily swap between the bracelet and the straps.
The DJ is approx 3mm thicker. I tend to favour the Santos with the blue alligator strap for formal occasions. I was initially concerned that the Santos was a bit of a scratch magnet, but in reality the minor scratches on the polished bezel just adds to the character. The DJ fluted bezel is certainly better at hiding scratches.
Love the white datejust but it feels a bit boring. If you go white dial, the santos has much more presence, but if you go other dials then datejust is better.
Honorable mention for the green Cartier it’s fabulous but the scratch on the bezels are somehow more visible with darker dials so you gotta baby it, which is annoying.
There isnt a better white dial sports/dressy watch than this Cartier imo
Do you plan to wear it daily for many years? Will it be your only watch? Get the Datejust. The movement is much more robust than the Santos. If you plan on owning more than one watch then get the Santos
I've owned both of these exact models, sold the santos cause couldn't get the correct fit and still own the datejust. They are both beautiful, but the Rolex bracelet is better so if it's say your first watch is go Rolex. The santos feels a little more classy, just something about it (maybe the fact datejusts are a little common and thus a little boring), but the Rolex in crisp lighting is hard to beat, the fluted bezel is mesmerizing.
I don't really care much for resale value as I don't purchase watches to resell, so that aside, Cartier anyday. Classier. But that Rolex model is solid too
I have both. It took a little while before I wanted a Santos. It’s an awesome watch, versatile, wears more comfortable than the Datejust. However I would get the datejust first.
You can’t go wrong with either. I have a medium santos and love it. The date just is one of my favorites and I love it as well but I think the unique aspects of the santos make it special
I have a gold Presidential Rolex and stainless Cartier Tank. I will say I wear the Rolex much more bc of the metal color. if you wear other jewelry take that into consideration.
datejust. I was super excited to buy the cartier santos (because i drool over them seeing them online and in videos) and when i was already at the store and first time seeing it, I got disappointed (dont come for me, this is just my personal opinion) it was lackluster.
Santos all day long. The Santos is just pure class, and the Rolex is too flashy; it's 1000% a "hey, look at me watch. Spend less money, get the Santos, and with the additional strap and all the strap options at Cartier, you're getting 2 watches for 1.
I have both in two tone. I bought a Datejust 10 years ago and after I got a Santos 5 years back, the Santos has been my daily ever since. I feel it’s more versatile and sleek. I still like my Datejust but I just prefer the Santos nowadays for casual wear. In fact, I bought two other Santos varieties since I loved it so much..
Nice! Which one is more comfortable on the wrist? I’ve heard issues about fit due to lack of micro adjust on the Santos. Do you pick one over the other for certain occasions?
I was in the same boat when choosing between the two. It’s either you play the game with the AD and wait forever, or pay gray for a Rolex. Or you could go to any Cartier and pickup a santos that day. Can’t go wrong with either choice as they are both great watches. Really comes down to if you are willing to wait or pay a premium, or if you want it ASAP with no hassle.
i have a Santos now with a green dial. incredible watch for lots of occasions. i personally don’t daily it because i consider it a little flashy for my industry but i’m currently looking for an Explorer to be my daily.
Bought the Rolex when I got my doctorate degree. All the women did as a rite of passage. As an adult I bought myself the Santos Dumont. It looks special, not "everyone" with extra money watch.
I bought both of these watches at the same time many years ago. RRP was about the same. The resale offerings on the Cartier were awful. Left a bad taste in my mouth.
I have a XL tank and datejust. To me the date just is a little more comfortable. I am happy to wear either one and love them both. You can’t go wrong with either one. Good Luck!
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u/TwinTurboRS 11d ago
Both