Cartier Santos Medium vs AT38

[Dcraig]

Hey TRF. Would like some insight from you guys. Reworking my collection after selling off a while back. Have owned several Rolex, Breitling, Nomos, and GS. This time taking a different path. Rolex is out, crazy inflation and don’t have as much appreciation for them anymore. Additionally with Covid and remote work, I don’t dress up as much as I used to. Right now my only watch is a BB58, the original — which can be dressed down well. I have narrowed down my next purchase to two watches, and in some time will probably have both. The Cartier Santos in medium, and the Aqua Terra 38mil, probably in blue(though I like the white/grey too). Both of those watches appeal because I feel they can be easily dressed up or down with multiple strap choices, and are generally available. Also both wear well on my smaller 6.5 wrist.

Which one should be my next purchase? Can you wear the Santos with sweat pants? LOL

[gnuyork]

My wrist is also 6.5"...I LOVE the AT38, especially the white dial (and black) and I think of it as nearly a perfect daily watch...but... it's a little too thick for it's dimensions in my opinion. I have tried it on more than three times, and each time I walk away thinking "if only it were a few mm thinner..."

I've tried on the Santos medium once. I like it (quite a lot), but I'd prefer the medium small seconds Reverso. If I recall, the Santos wore thinner (than the At38), and that would probably be my choice of the two, but the AT seems more like a daily driver. Tough choice.

And for the record, I'd wear a Patek with sweatpants... not that I have one yet... but I would.

[stateman]

Curious if having a date function among your collection is a must-have? Combined with the no-date BB58 (I have the blue, and it's great), I'd go with the Aqua Terra since you can get a date function. Don't believe the Santos Medium comes with it.

If date isn't a big deal, then I'd personally prefer the Santos. Love the bracelet/strap system they have and is a dressier option to combine with the easy to dress down BB58. Great combo IMO.

[scarlet knight]

I have an AT 41mm for my 6.5 inch wrist. Fits fine. I’ve tried on the 38mm, also a good fit.
I prefer the JLC Reverso to the Cartier Santos, but I like the Santos. Your calls!

[Dcraig]

Thanks for the replies. You know I hadn’t thought of the date option question. it’s not a necessity but I do like variety. I read today that someone recently on here got a 22% disco from AD on santos. If I could get that deal I’d buy right now. Most places and grey market is full retail it seems.

[Oyster Sauce]

In a vacuum, the Omega AT is the winner (blue dial specifically). In my eyes it is a strong competitor for the best overall most versatile luxury watch you can get (might even beat out perennial favorite the Rolex Explorer).

However, since you already have an excellent dive watch and are looking to add, the Santos is the better compliment to make a two watch collection and would be my recommended next one to get. Then enjoy the formidable BB58/Santos duo.

If/when you acquire the AT, as I mentioned at the beginning, you may (or may not) decide that it is the only watch you ever needed.

[sportsfan0704]

Get the santos. It’s a stunner.


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[ap1]

Santos for sure

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Dcraig

Can you wear the Santos with sweat pants? LOL

Sure, why not. Instead of sweats, might I suggest Adidas warm-up suits for that classic OG style.

PS: When in doubt and it's a big challenge, get both :)

[K12123]

Originally Posted by gnuyork

And for the record, I'd wear a Patek with sweatpants... not that I have one yet... but I would.

You should really consider buying some sweatpants, very comfortable. Goes well with a Patek too.

[dannyp]

Between the two, I’d go for the omega. Undeniably better watch in every way (quality). However looking out a little further, I’d probably but a zenith Chronomaster original.

[TimeAZ]

Tough choice. Both are great and reasonable alternatives to a Rolex (DJ or OP being my preferred choices for every-day piece).

If you are leaning a little bit more dressy, then you can't beat the Santos medium. I think this one is very timeless, classic, beautiful and widely recognized even among the non-WIS masses out there. Paired with the integrated strap options and the incredible innovative bracelet, I think you'll have a fantastic piece in the Santos. It's pretty versatile on bracelet and you can pull off the look with jeans or sweatpants.

The Omega is the better choice if you want a little more sporty piece. Or if you need a date function. A little thick and slightly awkward design elements, in my opinion (I dont like the triangular hour markers or the arrow on the minute hand). The jury is still out on the new small-seconds subdial design... I think the white option is stunning.

Personally I would pick the Santos, but it's a close call.

[gnuyork]

Originally Posted by dannyp

Between the two, I’d go for the omega. Undeniably better watch in every way (quality). However looking out a little further, I’d probably but a zenith Chronomaster original.

That's really what I would do... I've been obsessed with watching You Tube videos of the Chronomaster Original these past few days.

[GST15]

I like the Santos. Best bracelet change and size adjustment in the business.
I got the large and currently have it on the rubber strap from the ADLC version.


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[stockjock1975]

As much as I love the Omega, I think the Santos is the winner here.



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[youthagainsttt]

I would definitely go for the Santos in this case for a contrast in style of watch compared to your current. I've got it in Large & the only thing I'd say is that I rarely wear it on the strap as it just seems a bit narrow, much prefer on bracelet

[Justindo]

Tough choice. Both could be considered one and done pieces or the dressier option when paired with your Black Bay.

The Omega is the higher quality watch that's more conventional but more versatile. (I like the white version with the grey numerals best and if you care about a date, that may sway your.) On the other hand, the Cartier gives you a different shape, Roman numerals, and a quick change bracelet/strap system.

Neither watch would likely be on my personal list, as there there are things I don't like about either watch and in that price range I'd go for a Reverso Classic Medium to pair with the Black Bay, but you could do a lot worse. If forced to choose, I'd go for the Omega.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by Justindo

Tough choice. Both could be considered one and done pieces or the dressier option when paired with your Black Bay.

The Omega is the higher quality watch that's more conventional but more versatile. (I like the white version with the grey numerals best and if you care about a date, that may sway your.) On the other hand, the Cartier gives you a different shape, Roman numerals, and a quick change bracelet/strap system.

Neither watch would likely be on my personal list, as there there are things I don't like about either watch and in that price range I'd go for a Reverso Classic Medium to pair with the Black Bay, but you could do a lot worse. If forced to choose, I'd go for the Omega.

Some valid points. I was deciding between a santos and the reverso classic medium and ultimately went with the santos. The fact that it’s cheaper than the reverso and you have the ability to have the classic metal bracelet AND add a black leather strap like that on the reverso makes it a more versatile piece and you get better bang for your buck. Neither watch is anything to write home about in terms of the movement specs, so it’s a wash anyway. Comes down to preference in the rectangle case vs square case, but bottom line is that there’s probably more value (both in terms of versatility and value retention if that matters to you) in the santos than the reverso. Can’t go wrong either way.


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[thekman]

Wife has the medium Santos in TT. Recently resized it and wore it for a couple of days. What a great watch!

[Justindo]

Originally Posted by sportsfan0704

Some valid points. I was deciding between a santos and the reverso classic medium and ultimately went with the santos. The fact that it’s cheaper than the reverso and you have the ability to have the classic metal bracelet AND add a black leather strap like that on the reverso makes it a more versatile piece and you get better bang for your buck. Neither watch is anything to write home about in terms of the movement specs, so it’s a wash anyway. Comes down to preference in the rectangle case vs square case, but bottom line is that there’s probably more value (both in terms of versatility and value retention if that matters to you) in the santos than the reverso. Can’t go wrong either way.


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Having the bracelet option with the Santos is definitely a nice feature. However, there is a lot more that goes into the JLC's case (over 50 parts to the Reverso case) and the form fitting manual movement is a tier or two above the Cartier's, especially when it comes to finishing. While the JLC movement is mostly machine finished, it's a lot nicer than the Cartier's, which is pretty basic. No, the JLC does not have a modern movement but that doesn't really matter to me for this type of watch. I respect your opinion but I would argue the JLC offers more value.

[sportsfan0704]

Originally Posted by Justindo

Having the bracelet option with the Santos is definitely a nice feature. However, there is a lot more that goes into the JLC's case (over 50 parts to the Reverso case) and the form fitting manual movement is a tier or two above the Cartier's, especially when it comes to finishing. While the JLC movement is mostly machine finished, it's a lot nicer than the Cartier's, which is pretty basic. No, the JLC does not have a modern movement but that doesn't really matter to me for this type of watch. I respect your opinion but I would argue the JLC offers more value.

I agree on the finishing of the reverso and obviously nothing competes with reversing case. However, since both watches have closed case backs, the finishing on the movement is a wash on both. I’ve heard anecdotally that the santos is better at timekeeping than the reverso as well. I’m getting about +6 on the santos over the last week, but I’ve heard of people getting +1 or 2, whereas reverso runs around +12. I think In the end it’s really a close call between the watches given their similarities and history. I probably would have gone with the reverso had they not discontinued the models without the small seconds. I find the dial on the medium santos to be a lot cleaner than the small seconds on the reverso dials of today. Jlc also comes with better box for what that’s worth. Also more discounted.


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[henrylee]

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