The Cartier diamond watch is synonymous with luxury and royalty. It was started by Louis Francois Cartier in 1847 after taking over his master's workshop, and then his grandsons expanded it internationally by making it popular in New York, London, and Paris.
Some of his first patrons were royalty and the upper class. Therefore, it is not common to hear “budget” and Cartier diamond watch in the same sentence. This is because Cartier is synonymous with luxury.
So here’s a tricky one. In the sense of the word “budget,” at least for the average person, there are no budget Cartier diamond watches; luxury is the opposite of budget.
There are, however, some diamond Cartier watches in the lower spectrum of its price range. There are also pre-owned options; these and more are what we are going to discuss in this post.
Cartier signifies the image of luxury, exclusivity, and power. The brand is known for several celebrity endorsements and its iconic designs, it is the greatest height of luxury. It has served kings, heads of state, and many other very important personalities. Louis Cartier was called the jeweller of kings, and indeed he was. With over a hundred years of making such luxurious and exclusive products, it could seem out of reach for non-royalty.
Here's the thing: times are changing, and the luxury market is expanding. It is beginning to cater to a growing class of patrons who might not be royalty, but want something beautiful and shiny of great workmanship, that's authentic and stylish.
In today's article, we'll be looking at men’s Cartier diamond watches and ladies Cartier diamond watches that could be budget-friendly.
1. Cartier Tank Solo, Small Model Diamond Bezel.
The tank is one of Cartier’s most iconic pieces, it was inspired by the tanks of ww1 and ever since, it's been a part of the Cartier lineup. This model is one of the most affordable Cartiers for a few reasons.
Why it is Budget Friendly
First is the size. This wristwatch is small and made of stainless steel, which would be cheaper than gold or platinum. The accent is also bezel only, which makes it cheaper than a full pavẹ́ Cartier diamond watch.
With a size of 24.5mm*31mm, this is one of the smallest Cartier diamond watches for ladies.
It features diamond bezels, silver dials, and quartz movement for price reduction.
However, this doesn't take anything away from the fact that it comes with the quality and craftsmanship that Cartier is known for.
This Cartier diamond watch price ranges between $4000 - $7000 ( both new and Pre-owned).
Why we love it
This ladies Cartier diamond watch speaks of elegance and refinement; therefore, it can pair with both dinner gowns and office wear.
2. Cartier Santos Galbe with Custom Diamond Bezel. (Unisex)
The Santos Galbée is a modification of the original Alberto Santos, which was custom-made for Alberto Santos-Dumont, a French aviator, in 1904. And was hailed as the first wristwatch for men.
The Santos Galbée is a modern play on an iconic watch. It comes in two variants, the smaller one and the bigger one. The smaller one is a Cartier diamond watch for women’s use, while the bigger one is for men/Unisex.
The lady’s comes in at 23mm*35 mm, while the other is 29mm*41mm.
For today's discussion, we'll focus on the Cartier diamond for men, since it can also be worn by women. It features a square case and exposed screws, giving it that vintage aviator's look.
It has a stainless steel case and yellow gold or rose gold bezels. And then with the aftermarket diamonds on the bezels, we have some sparkle to this.
The price for this is usually under $9000. However, certain customizations could push that price to $15,000. You could get a pre-owned model for even less than $5000, with some luck, and if you know where to look.
The watch comes with Roman numerals, white or silver dials, and hands in blue to give that classic Cartier look
Why is it budget-friendly
- After-market Customizations cut the price
- We like that it is customized, giving room for a personal look.
- The case is stainless steel
- Pre-owned models could also be cheaper
Why We Love it
- You can be paired with both suits and casual wear.
- It provides a modern twist to an already iconic piece
- We love the versatility, it's unisex, so if you are couples, you can take turns wearing it.
3. Cartier Ballon Bleu (Women’s)
This lady's Cartier diamond watch comes in with elegant curves, stainless steel round casing, and of course, the signature sapphire cabochon crown. At 28mm, its dainty comes with diamond accents on the bezels and silver dials. Some of these Cartier Ballon Bleu variants come with diamond accents on the hour markers.
Due to its contemporary design, fashion-forward women who want a taste of luxury at an affordable price should try it out.
For this watch piece with diamond bezels, you can get it at a range of $5000 - $8000.
For the diamond hour markers variant, one could purchase one for around $3200, Pre-owned for the Pre-owned model.
Why is it budget-friendly
- Comes in a stainless steel case
- It is not full pavẹ́, therefore it is more affordable.
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Features Quartz movement
Why we love it
- Comes with elegant curves and two variants
- It comes in a modern and feminine design, versatile for different fits.
- Built also for everyday wear if you want that.
4. Cartier Tank Française, Small Model, Diamond Dial
Remember Cartier's legendary Francaise is a modern and feminine version of that iconic watch piece. Released in 1996, it blends the new with the old in a Parisian elegance.
Comes with a quartz movement, silver dials and diamond hour markers, enclosed in stainless steel with a rose gold bracelet.
Price range could be somewhere around $3000 - $9000, depending on whether it is new or Pre-owned. Pre-owned models could be found for below 3000, depending on the retailer and the condition of the watch.
Why it is budget-friendly
- Stainless Steel case.
- Quartz movement
- Diamond hour markers as opposed to full pavẹ́.
Why we love it
- A modern play on the classic tank.
- It is elegant, versatile, and a suitable fit for everyday wear.
- It is a versatile ladies Cartier diamond watch.
5. Cartier Must De Tank with Aftermarket bezels (men's)
Released in 1970, this is an accessible variant of the classic tank. That was why it was made, to give a budget-friendly entry point for Cartier lovers who couldn't afford the classic tank.
The diamond bezels are aftermarket-installed, also, further making it more accessible.
Why do we love it
- It's accessible price-wise
- It reminds one of the vintage tank
- After-market diamond bezels, sparkles on a low budget.
Criteria for Selecting a Budget-Friendly Cartier Diamond Watch
Firstly, a note about the price range of the pieces in the previous section. Those are price ranges, and they vary from dealer to dealer. Also, the state of the watch and its availability would affect the price.
That being said, let's look at some of the criteria we considered to select these budget watches.
We needed male and female models, not excluding unisex models, the kind that would appeal to both men and women.
Of course, we looked at cost-saving models/features. Watches with stainless steel casing, quartz movement, partial diamond embellishments (on the hour hand alone or bezel alone).
We also considered pre-owned models and after-market diamond settings as a way to find cost-friendly options.
We also looked at versatility, something that can fit into different styles and perhaps even can be used for everyday wear.
In this piece, we considered some of the classic models, or rather variants of them, like the Tank, Ballon Bleu, and Santos. This is because we think these designs are timeless, and they also have great resale value; they are recognizable pieces for those who are familiar with Cartier products.
Of course, we considered price, that's the main reason for this piece, right, so we looked at pieces which we could get for under $10000.
Lastly, we looked at accessibility and availability. Are these pieces mentioned above still in the market? How easy is it to get them?
Availability is also a factor that affects the prices of luxury items and all goods and services in general. So if a certain model of Cartier diamond watch for women was scarce to find, but it was in demand, the price would go up.
From our findings, these watches are available through recommended dealers like Cartier boutiques and other recognised Pre-owned retailers.
These factors are considered to ensure that you enjoy the luxury, elegance, and exclusivity that Cartier provides, and at a budget-friendly price point.
Tips for Purchasing Budget-Friendly Diamond Cartier Watches
So you have decided to buy a Cartier Diamond watch. How do you ensure that you get value for your money? How do you ensure that you get budget-friendly prices and how do you also ensure authenticity? We'll answer those questions in this section.
Check with authorised dealers:
Let's first ensure that what you are about to purchase is an authentic women's and men’s Cartier diamond watch. How better to know than to buy from a trusted or already approved source? Cartier boutiques, Luxury watches USA, Nordstrom, and other departmental stores, you can get new Cartier pieces from here.
For Pre-owned variants, stores like Watchbox, Chrono 24, and Diamond Source NYC are good places to search. Apart from the fact that they provide authentic diamonds, they also sometimes come with documentation and a warranty.
Consider pre-owned models:
You can reduce your Diamond Cartier watches by looking for Pre-owned models. They are available from trusted sources as mentioned above. One way to confirm authenticity is to check the serial number and also ask for original papers before purchasing. Reputable stores also have return policies and even have detailed reports on the condition of the watches. This is something you should look out for.
Payment plans
Certain dealers offer financing options where you can spread the payment over one 12-24 months at 0 or single-digit interest rates.
Conclusion
Cartier is luxury, and luxury is Cartier, but you don't have to break the bank to get a bit of sparkle on your wrist. You can be part of the story of elegance, luxury, and mastercraftsmanship that Cartier has told for over 100 years.
Whether you are looking for a ladies' Cartier diamond watch or one for men, there's something in the Cartier collection that would always suit your needs.
If you don't find any, you can always check on Kloira.com to find Cartier look-alikes with Ice too. These also come at budget-friendly prices.
FAQs
Where can I get budget-friendly Cartier watches
You can get them from reputable resellers like Chrono24 and Watchbox.
Are Cartier diamond watches worth the investment
If you are looking at your timepiece as a store of value, then a factory-set diamond Cartier would be a good choice. However, after-market variants might not be considered good investments, because they don't store value; they depreciate with time.
Factory set vs Aftermarket, which should I choose
It depends on what you want. For higher resale value and authenticity, factory set pieces are preferable. However, for budget-friendly pieces, after-market sets are preferable. So your budget basically gets to decide.
Cartier diamond watches are luxury pieces; are the budget-friendly ones knock-offs?
The budget pieces are not knockoffs; you can find them at that price because some of them are Pre-owned. Also, Cartier made some lower entry pieces, with less expensive materials, such as stainless steel and subtle diamond embellishments.
Do these watches come with a warranty?
For pre-owned and after-market pieces, they very rarely come with warranties from Cartier. However, some retail stores offer a 6-24-month warranty. To get a warranty from Cartier, you have to purchase a new piece from them.
What exactly do pre-owned, factory set, and after-market set mean?
Their phrases are used in the luxury industry to describe certain concepts. Pre-owned means second-hand, or a piece that is not new, has been owned by someone before, who wants to sell it or has sold it already. It can come in good or bad condition, which would affect the price.
Factory set: this referred to when the diamond or other stones are fixed in the factory as the watch was being produced.
After market: this is basically when the diamond accents are installed by third-party jewellers. Usually, this happens when the watch comes without diamond accents. You want to add some sparkle to it. Therefore, you can get some sparkles at a more budget-friendly price; however, these Customizations invalidate the warranty from Cartier.
How to take care of my Cartier Diamond Watch
Store in a watch box, with soft/cushioned inside to prevent scratching.
Clean with a soft cloth, lukewarm water, and mild soap. No harsh cleaning agent should be used.
The watch should be serviced every 5-7 years, and for a quartz watch, don't forget to change the battery every 3-4 years.
Does Kloira sell a Cartier Diamond watch?
Kloira is not an authorised dealer of Cartier products; however, Kloira offers designer replicas, including Cartier. They have lookalikes of some of the classic pieces from Cartier, and they can come fully Iced or partially Iced, depending on your choice.
