Cartier vs Omega

[Dudufrias]

Originally Posted by ChicagoRon

Any Omega? It's a no-brainer. Omega makes a rattrapante, a tourbillion, coaxial movements......I'm not aware that Cartier makes anything but nice jewelry with standard eta movements (I could be wrong about that, but I'm not aware).

No you're absolutely right. When it comes to horlogerie, Omega is far better than Cartier. They also use ETA movements, but I believe they are built following rigorous instructionds given by Omega.

However, I like Eterna watches best. I own a vintage Eterna-matic 1000, and I'm slowly refurbishing it. I was able to order the original buckle in Switzerland (for free) and I'm having a custom made lizard strap cut in the same way the original strap was. I'm only heving a little trouble finding a genuine Eterna crystal, but then I don't know if all Eterna crystals were signed or not...

I'm also saving for an Orient Diver, and a Timex Ironman Dual Tech for the gym.

 

[gdl203]

Cartier Tortue collection put aside, Omega are far better watches for the money

 

[LabelKing]

I'd get an old Cartier when they had complicated things made by Audemars Piguet.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by ChicagoRon

Any Omega? It's a no-brainer. Omega makes a rattrapante, a tourbillion, coaxial movements......I'm not aware that Cartier makes anything but nice jewelry with standard eta movements (I could be wrong about that, but I'm not aware)

I'm with you Ron. I guess the answers would be very different on a watch collector forum. Omega makes far better watch and is a true manufacture that continues to offer great value throughout its range. Cartier has some nice designs. Some of their high end watches (like the collection privee and tortue) have better and more complicated movements than simple ETA and Valjoux but none of them is manufactured or even modified by Cartier AFAIK

 

[benecios]

Originally Posted by gdl203

Cartier Tortue collection put aside, Omega are far better watches for the money

+1.

 

[Roger]

To me it comes down entirely to what purpose the watch will fulfil. For dress purposes, I'd want an elegant watch that was not too large (case diameter of not more than 35 mm. would be right for me). On this watch, I wouldn't want a lot of (or any, really) complications, or a graduated bezel, chronometer functions, etc., just a plain, elegant watch that, at most, would include the date (I'd prefer that). In this role, the Cartier would, in my opinion, be far superior, as it's hard to think of any Omega model that would be or the right size and sufficiently free of the gee-gaws to look right in, say, a formal or semi-formal setting. For everyday timekeeping, however, I'd take the Omega because of its horological superiority. For myself, I have a Must de Cartier in vermeil (20 micron gold-plating over sterling silver) from the 1980s that works well for dress situations. Most of the time, however, I wear two vintage Omegas from the 1970s that I've kind of restored and spruced up, one in shiny stainless, the other gold-plated.

 

[Artisan Fan]

You left out Rolex.

Troublemaker.

 

[SantaCruzGuy]

Okay I'll chip in. For me I'd take Omega hands down, in stainless steel, w/a chronometer movement. That leaves the field wide open to many different watches they make.
Both brands have an illustrious history. A company that's pushing the envelope would be far more appealing to my personality in the end however, & that is most certainly Omega.
I like & respect Omega a great deal.

 

[Dormouse]

Originally Posted by RJman

You left out Rolex.

LA Confidential was on TV last night. I believe Guy Pearce was wearing a vintage Rolex Oyster... Beautiful watch.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by Dormouse

LA Confidential was on TV last night. I believe Guy Pearce was wearing a vintage Rolex Oyster... Beautiful watch.
Yes, I noticed that. I think it had a leather band.

 

[Dmax]

"Regardless of Price" is not really a usefull comparision. Unless we are talking about Rolex

 

[ChicagoRon]

Originally Posted by Dmax

"Regardless of Price" is not really a usefull comparision. Unless we are talking about Rolex

You're back to the original question. If money is no object, do you want jewelry or horology? I would want a tourbillion or a perpetual calendar. These movements are worth $50-100k. The only thing that makes a rolex that valuable is a bunch of platinum and diamonds. NB...I love rolexes, just prefer some different movements if "money is no object".

 

[trajan]

Originally Posted by jamesbond

Tank-Louis Cartier, hands down.

+1

I don't like Omega's, while Cartier Tank is the ultimate classy watch.

--trajan

 

[RJman]

Originally Posted by trajan

+1

I don't like Omega's, while Cartier Tank is the ultimate classy watch.

--trajan
Maybe even the penultimate classy watch...

 

[sygyzy]

Love this poll. What's next? U-Boat or Panerai?