Pre-owned Cartier watches
Cartier is about shape first: the square Santos, the long Tank, the round Ballon Bleu. Here is how to choose well, and what we check before one goes on the page.
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Can't find it? We'll source it
Send us the Cartier reference and your budget, and the desk will search for it and write back. Nothing is paid until the price and availability are confirmed.
- Quote first. Nothing is paid until you approve it.
- Same checks and 2-year warranty as the case.
- Watches $2,000 and up.
Buying a pre-owned Cartier
Start with the shape you like
Cartier is bought on silhouette more than on specs.
Check the size on your wrist
Cartier sizes are named in small, medium and large, and different lines scale differently.
Quartz or mechanical
Both exist across Cartier, and neither is wrong.
Condition of the case matters most
Cartier cases mix brushed and polished surfaces, and those edges are what heavy polishing erodes.
Which one is for you
If you want one watch for every day
Look at the Santos de Cartier on its bracelet.
If you want something dressy and slim
The Tank, including the Tank Américaine and the Tank Must, is the traditional choice under a cuff.
If you want round and easy to wear
The Ballon Bleu, especially at 36mm, is easy on most wrists and works on a strap or a bracelet.
Questions
Santos or Tank: how do I choose?
Choose the Santos if you want a sporty square watch with a bracelet that feels part of the case. Choose the Tank if you want a slim, formal rectangle for a strap. Both are easy to recognize, so it comes down to how you dress and how you want it to sit on the wrist.
Which Cartier size should I buy?
Measure how wide your wrist is and think about how long the case will sit on it. Slimmer wrists usually suit the medium Santos or a 36mm Ballon Bleu, and broader wrists often suit large cases. If you are unsure, send us your wrist size and we will suggest what to look at.
Is a quartz Cartier a worse choice than a mechanical one?
No, it is a different choice. Quartz is simpler and very accurate. Mechanical gives you more to enjoy and to service. We tell you which movement each watch has so you can decide.
Does a missing box or certificate matter?
It matters for resale and for completeness, but it does not change how the watch keeps time. We show clearly what comes with each watch. Every watch we sell comes with our own presentation box and appraisal.
Do your Cartier watches come with a warranty?
Every watch we sell comes with a 2-year store warranty that covers the movement. It is our warranty, not Cartier's, and we are an independent dealer, not affiliated with Cartier.
How is a Cartier shipped?
Shipping is free, insured and overnight on orders of $1,000 and up, with signature required. Orders under $1,000 ship for a flat $55.
Can I return it?
Unworn in-stock pieces can be returned: you have 7 days from delivery to start a return. Ask the desk for the details.
How can I pay?
We accept card, with a 3.5% fee and a lower wire price shown beside it, bank wire, crypto arranged through the desk, and Affirm or Klarna on eligible orders.
Downtown Los Angeles, by appointment. Mon–Fri 10am–6pm Pacific.
(213) 373-4424Visit the showroom
