Oyster perpetual vs Cartier Santos vs SMP 300 Sedna

[Ringhio]

Hi, I would like to get the opinion of the forum regarding these 3 watches as "entry level" timepieces.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual.
Cartier Santos
Semaster 300 (Sedna gold)

They are all below 10K.
Of course the OP has a better profile in terms of value retention/appreciation.
The Santos and SMP might lose some value.

Considering working with an AD, do you see any of the three watches coming with any potential discount? In what range?

Any comment or suggestion is appreciated.

thanks

[tirefryer]

Cartier Santos - classic elegance, unique and distinctive from the others, less likely to be seen on a wrist, and will retain value.
I may be biased since it's on my list of future purchases.

[Oyster Sauce]

Each is a from a venerable product line and respected manufacturer, but none are in the “classic” configuration for the reference. I’d say it really boils down to which one you like best on your wrist. Don’t go for the “best deal.”

For my taste, the Cartier that you’ve shown is my favorite. But that doesn’t matter. Get what you want. Best wishes

[Ringhio]

Thanks. There is a slight preference for the Santos.
Do you know if usually there is room to discuss a some discount with the AD on the Cartier?

I guess with the SMP 300 there might be some discussion about the price and with the Oyster perpetual is forgetaboutit...

[Jay18]

Honestly, they are all some great choices! If it were up to me I would go with the oyster perpetual, although you won’t get a deal it will simply hold its value. The sea master is also another great watch. Don’t think you can go wrong with any of those 3.


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[Oyster Sauce]

You should definitely ask. I can’t speak from personal experience (I tend toward pre-owned vs new from AD), but I perceive your chance of discount are as follow: Omega > Cartier > Rolex (none).

Question: do you like any of them enough to purchase without discount? That is a good litmus test of your interest.

[Ringhio]

Originally Posted by Oyster Sauce

You should definitely ask. I can’t speak from personal experience, but I perceive your chance of discount are as follow: Omega > Cartier > Rolex (none).

Question: do you like any of them enough to purchase without discount? That is a good litmus test of your interest.

Thanks. Yes, sure, I can go without discount.
I just don't know the market for the Cartier, I know I can get some discount on the SMP from the AD. I just want to make sure I don't overpay, if can get a 5-10% off I'd take it

[Driver8]

For me, the TT Seamaster would be the winner.... but then I buy what I like without any real regard for "future value" and I've always just had a soft spot for the SMP.

The Cartier's a reasonably close second for me and also much less common than the Omega, and the OP is a distant last. (Personally I wouldn't be surprised if there will be a few people regretting the brighter OP colours in a few years time, but that's just my opinion).

And as Oyster Sauce says Omega>Cartier>Rolex is also the order of likely discount!

[Oyster Sauce]

If you haven't already done so, post a thread in the Non-Rolex section regarding Cartier discounts. I know a number of folks on the forum have and love the Santos (it's pretty iconic) and can chime in.

[Ringhio]

Thank you all, much appreciated.
Regarding the OP, I'm not 100% convinced. I find the other two more special.
I'm also hunting for a Batman, ideally from the same AD, so getting the Santos or the SMP300 might also get me some points with the associate to work on future references.
Also, I'm not sure how difficult to get is the OP.

[Wcdhtwn]

You will get discounts for the Cartier and Omega. There are lines around the block for the Rolex...

[SN13]

Originally Posted by Ringhio

Hi, I would like to get the opinion of the forum regarding these 3 watches as "entry level" timepieces.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual.
Cartier Santos
Semaster 300 (Sedna gold)

They are all below 10K.
Of course the OP has a better profile in terms of value retention/appreciation.
The Santos and SMP might lose some value.

Considering working with an AD, do you see any of the three watches coming with any potential discount? In what range?

Any comment or suggestion is appreciated.

thanks

SMP 300 on Rubber (Steel not two-tone) is $4900 NEW. Two-tone is $6900... there's not $2k of Gold in that bezel.

And SS sells faster than Two-Tone 2nd hand.

[dannyp]

Originally Posted by SN13

SMP 300 on Rubber (Steel not two-tone) is $4900 NEW. Two-tone is $6900... there's not $2k of Gold in that bezel.

And SS sells faster than Two-Tone 2nd hand.

But perhaps $2,000 worth of gold and labor? Was talking to a jeweler last month who explained to me just how difficult rose gold is to work with. She told me some jewelry brands that use RG settings automatically make a massive overrun of the settings because of the likelihood of snapping one in half when seeing the stones.

[Guinness58]

Originally Posted by Ringhio

Hi, I would like to get the opinion of the forum regarding these 3 watches as "entry level" timepieces.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual.
Cartier Santos
Semaster 300 (Sedna gold)

They are all below 10K.
Of course the OP has a better profile in terms of value retention/appreciation.
The Santos and SMP might lose some value.

Considering working with an AD, do you see any of the three watches coming with any potential discount? In what range?

Any comment or suggestion is appreciated.

thanks

Get the watch that makes you happy. If you are a buy and hold guy like me the price paid and potential resale 5, 10, 20 years down the road does not matter.

[Dean88]

I would go Cartier out of those 3 personally

[MattyL147]

That Santos is a good looking watch!

[trippinjimmy]

That seamaster is one of the best all around GADA watches out there. That'd be my pick, and you should be able to get 20-30% off at an AD or from the grey market.

[Master_Grogu]

I really dislike Omega, and am not a fan of Santos. However credit where credit is due, Cartier bracelet is brilliant and while not as exquisite as some, the quick tool less adjustment is neat.

On my end, I would never purchase a watch without lume. But this variant seems to have it.

[Ungucpho]

i picked up a Santos Medium for my wife, scored a 20% discount from an AD

[robinmgb]

1st Santos
2nd Seamaster 300
3rd OP
That would be my order.
The Cartier and Omega are both beautiful and classy watches.
The OP is very much a basic entry level model and a much lower level than the other two in my opinion

[AJMarcus]

It’s TRF. The Rolex of course. But seriously only the Rolex OP will retain its value once you walk out the door with it. In fact, if you’re paying MSRP at an AD, it will increase in value. And it’s the most versatile of the three.

[HogwldFLTR]

The OP is in hot demand in that color so no discount would be possible. If you were looking at those three watches I'd have to know for what purpose. The Santos is the most understated of the three. The OP in a different dial would be potentially dressier but there is nothing about that green that is dressy although it's a color I like to get. Frankly the SMP does nothing for me. Although I like the strap I'd prefer to add one as an option on one with a bracelet.

[SS Oyster]

Of those, I would choose the OP41.

The Cartier you show has that horrible rubber bracelet, which folded on my wrist when I tried it on. Their SS bracelet was nice though.

Don't care for TT watches, but for even less, I think the new Speedy would be an even better choice ... I'd go for the sapphire sandwich to view that beautiful 3861 movement.

[Ringhio]

So the general consensus is that for the Santos and the SMP I could ask for a discount of about 20%.
In terms of potential retention of value the OP has some advantage, and of course no discount on these. Thing that I find a bit singular, but I understand that there is high request for these models now.

I like the history of the Santos, and I believe it's coming with the regular bracelet and the rubber as well.

I find the SMP Sedna black potentially very versatile, and i actually like the rubber band look with that hint of red gold.

The OP is "funny", and a bit unconventional. It may be interesting to have it, but I'm not sure about it in the long run...

[Eelco]

I'm in a similar situation at the moment; what did you pick in the end OP? And can you tell us why?

[Mike507]

I have both the op36 126000 and the Santos medium (my wife's). I have to say I am so impressed with the Cartier.

The strap is so awesome in person and it's very thin and really hugs the wrist. All cost/value thoughts aside I think I'd rather wear the Santos over the op.

[htc8p]

my pick would be bond seamaster but not in 2 tone. no value in that.

[Frank McKay]

Out of those 3, Cartier, Omega and OP last for me.

[Rashid.bk]

Seamaster but with a bracelet.

[Oxfordian]

The Omega with the bracelet is awesome, tried that on a while back, the gold is a subtle addition and works very well. The Cartier is, well a Cartier and as such a very nice watch to have on the wrist, a different look to the other watches with that iconic square dial.

IMHO, either of these two watches are above the OP, but if you want to base your purchases simply on values then the OP would win, but it wouldn't be my choice.