Cartier’s mechanical watches won’t measure up to Patek Philippe in terms of precision and accuracy. However, they do manufacture quartz watches which, by definition, always have better accuracy than a mechanical timepiece. Most watch connoisseurs don’t sing the praises of quartz movements since they are battery powered and a deviation from the age-old craft of traditional watchmaking.
Craftsmanship
Both brands take watchmaking very seriously. However, when it comes to horology, Patek Philippe is the Rolls Royce in the industry. They are a cut above the rest and won’t release a watch that isn’t perfect. The exceptional finishing on their watches is a testament to their commitment to absolute perfection and they currently hold over one hundred patents.
Horology
Patek Philippe has also been credited with creating some of the most mechanically complicated watches in history such as the Patek Philippe Henry Graves Supercomplication which features 24 mechanical complications that fetched over $24,000,000 at an auction (over $1,000,000 per complication!).
Cartier had some pretty expensive watches of their own, but none are even in the same tax bracket and none have nearly the mechanical complexity of the most complicated Patek Philippe replica watches. Not even the Grande Complication Skeleton which has a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, and flying tourbillon.
Innovation & Achievements
Patek was the first to make a wristwatch in a time when pocket watches were at the peak of fashion. Cartier was the first to popularize the wristwatch and with Cartier’s influence in high fashion with their exquisite jewelry, they took the idea and caused a major shift in the industry.
This caused a catalyst of change that challenged the status quo. It pushed watchmakers to challenge their craft by miniaturizing mechanical movements so that they can fit in a case small enough to be worn on a wrist. Their first watch, the Cartier Santos was originally designed for Cartier’s pilot friend and is still to this day an iconic watch.
Price Comparison
Between Cartier and Patek Philippe, Cartier is without a doubt the more affordable brand. They start at a whole different price point than Patek Philippe watches and are simply less exclusive. A brand-new Cartier watch such as the Tank Solo can be acquired at full MSRP for under $2,500, a Patek Philippe watch such as the Twenty-4 can only be bought for about four or five times that price at $12,500.
Two very famous watch brands. Both like to claim that they invented the wristwatch, but which is better, a Cartier or a Patek Philippe?
Let’s have a look at two highly popular brands Cartier and Patek Philippe. Both are historically significant brands that have been in the business long enough to develop diehard fans among buy replica watches collectors and enthusiasts. Let’s compare these two brands in every which way to determine which is best and more importantly, which is best for you.
Patek Philippe VS Cartier
Today we will benchmark Patek Philippe and Cartier watches. We will compare how they measure up to one another in terms of brand popularity and brand prestige, precision and accuracy, craftsmanship and horology, innovations and achievements, price, and resale value.
Brand Popularity
Both Patek and Cartier are popular brands. Some of the most popular, in fact. Both are famous for being high-end luxury names but while Patek Philippe made their name as a luxury watchmaker, Cartier built their brand on two fronts: high-end jewelry and luxury watches. Patek Philippe is the 3rd most popular name in Swiss luxury watches according to a recent report by a brand valuation agency called Interbrand and Cartier is one of the most popular brand names worldwide according to Forbes.