After more than three years of endless waiting on a list for another model, fate offered me an unexpected alternative. In just a few hours, I jumped at the chance and acquired my first vintage Rolex, a 2001 model, which literally grabbed me when I saw it in the vintage display case of my AD. A timeless icon that, beyond its elegance and history, marks a turning point in my watch collection.

This spontaneous love at first sight, after so much patience, makes this acquisition even more delicious. Every detail, from the patinated case to the bracelet that has already spanned more than twenty years of history, reminds me why Rolex is a legend. I hope it will be the first of a long series, and that it will open the door to other equally fascinating pieces.

The first Rolex

The gold and steel Cartier Santos that I acquired has a much deeper meaning than a simple timepiece. It is a watch that I chose at a particular moment in my life, following the death of my mother. For me, it symbolizes a timeless bond, a discreet but powerful tribute to the one who gave me so much. Each glance at its dial reminds me of the importance of memories and the intangible heritage that we carry with us.

The experience in the boutique, at Cartier rue de la Paix, lived up to the emotion that accompanied this purchase. The warm welcome, the attentiveness and the refinement of the service made this moment even more memorable. In an elegant and cozy setting, I was able to take my time to choose this piece which, much more than an accessory, has become a personal symbol full of emotion and memory.

My heritage

The Breitling Avenger Seawolf Chronograph is more than a watch to me: it’s a symbol. A gift from my wife, it marks my first real foray into watchmaking. In addition to its sentimental value, it is a true exploration instrument. With its water resistance to 1,000 meters, it embodies robustness and precision. Its massive design, titanium case and reliable chronograph make it an exceptional diver. On my wrist, it combines emotion and technicality, reminding me every day of the importance of shared moments and the objects that symbolize them.

The real first

The brand Cartier, recognized worldwide as a symbol of prestige and luxury, has a rich history spanning more than a century and a half. Founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-Fran&ccedil;ois Cartier, it has since been associated with royalty and the worldly elite. During the post-war period in the 1950s, Cartier began to consolidate its position as a leader in the field of fine watchmaking. Innovative designs and exceptional craftsmanship have led to global brand recognition.
<h2 dir="ltr">History of the Cartier brand</h2>
One of the key moments for Cartier was the creation of the Tank watch in 1917. Inspired by British tanks from the First World War, it quickly became a symbol of modernity and elegance. Jackie Kennedy, Andy Warhol, Catherine Deneuve and Yves Saint-Laurent were among the famous wearers of this model.&nbsp;During the 1960s and 1970s, Cartier continued to innovate with bold designs and new collections. In 1972, the company came under the control of the Pearson Group, marking a crucial step in its international expansion.
Cartier's commitment to excellence, innovation and unique design has allowed the brand to remain at the top of the fine jewelry and watchmaking industry, an integral part of global luxury culture.
<h2 dir="ltr">What are Cartier&rsquo;s iconic models?</h2>
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/cartier/tank">Cartier Tank</a></h3>
The model Tank is undoubtedly one of the most iconic watches of all time. Designed in 1917 by Louis Cartier himself, the design is inspired by Renault military tanks which could be observed from the windows of Cartier's studio in Paris during the First World War. The silhouette of the Tank is simple but bold, characterized by its straight and parallel lines of the case, symbolizing the tracks of the tank, while the bezel evokes the turret of this same war machine.
<h3 dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/cartier/santos">Cartier Santos</a></h3>
The Cartier Santos holds a special place in watchmaking history, as it is considered one of the first wristwatches created specifically for men. Born from a friendship between Louis Cartier and the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, the Santos was designed in 1904 to meet Santos-Dumont's need to be able to tell the time while piloting his plane.
<h3 dir="ltr">Cartier Pasha</h3>
The Cartier Pasha is more than a watch; she is a style statement. It embodies a time when luxury and adventure went hand in hand, and where elegance was not incompatible with robustness. The Pasha is a watch for those looking to stand out from the crowd, and it continues to be a pillar in the Cartier collection. The Pasha's bold design and refined details make it a timeless piece that transcends generations.
<h3 dir="ltr">Cartier Ballon Bleu</h3>
The Ballon Bleu de Cartier is a watch that combines tradition and innovation. Its soft shape and clean dial make it a refined choice for those who appreciate both classic style and modernity. Whether in simple version or with exquisite complications, the Ballon Bleu stands out for its timeless beauty and discreet elegance. It embodies the very essence of what a Cartier watch should be, with a distinctive design that is both instantly recognizable and universally appealing.
<h3 dir="ltr">Cartier Panth&egrave;re</h3>
The Cartier Panth&egrave;re is more than a watch; it's a jewel, a style statement. She captures the essence of the modern woman: independent, elegant and daring. The Panth&egrave;re continues to be a preferred choice for those seeking a watch that is both a fashion accessory and an emblem of Cartier's rich and innovative history. Its timeless design ensures that it will remain a beloved classic for generations to come.
<h2 dir="ltr">Cartier: The Jeweler of Kings and King of Jewelers</h2>
Cartier embodies the quintessence of luxury and elegance in the world of watchmaking. Each model tells a story, reflecting the cultural richness and innovation that are at the heart of the brand. Its royal heritage and commitment to artisanal excellence position Cartier as a go-to brand for those seeking to express sophistication and status. The variety of designs, ranging from classic to modern, ensures that every wearer finds a piece that suits them.
The brand's website is an essential source of useful information, as are watchmaking blogs. The Dialicious Owners' reviews are also essential to make the right choice of models from this prestigious brand. Choosing a Cartier watch is choosing a piece of history, an object of art, and a symbol of status and success in today's world.
Check out the <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_luxury_watch_brands">Ranking of the best Luxury watch brands</a>, including Cartier.
(Updated December 2023)

The first men's wristwatch? Just that! 
Its originality, finesse and elegance make it the perfect watch to wear on special occasions. So it was without any hesitation that I chose it to accompany me to my wedding! 
Comfortable on a daily basis on its steel bracelet, you can however replace it with a leather strap in one click. 
The one provided by Cartier is also a little disappointing.

My timeless classic

This Santos de Cartier is the watch that gave me a taste for watchmaking. The ultimate sporty/chic watch. It’s the one that made me want to undertake and succeed, the one that convinced me that everything was possible. It was when I saw it when I was younger on the wrist of someone who taught me a lot that the magic happened. It’s chic, timeless, sporty and adapts to all situations and all outfits! It’s probably the one that has received the most compliments in my collection. For me, it’s an exciting watch for enthusiasts, which historically, as everyone knows, has nothing to envy the greatest.

THE real pilot's watch

My Santos 100, a piece of aviation history associated with the height of French chic, this Cartier is essential, and extreme in this XL version ref 2656.

Despite its bodybuilder case and bracelet, it sits wonderfully on my wrist, and imposes itself with finesse despite its almost 200 grams.

Its dial is simple and effective, Roman numerals obligatory…

I wear it in all circumstances, suit or floral shirt 😀


CARTIER SANTOS DUMONT  100 XL

A Cartier Santos, or how to marry elegance with sport-chic.
A priori, never a fan of gold watches, and even less of two-tone watches, this Cartier Santos from 1991, reference 2961, once put on the wrist was like an obvious choice for me.
Of contained size, it knows how to get noticed thanks to its bezel and the studs of its gold bracelet. It is truly magnificent. What's more, a watch that is not found on all wrists.
A piece from my collection that I particularly appreciate.

Cartier, or timeless elegance

As a big fan of Santos and gold watches, I chose the latter. What a pleasure to have it on my wrist. Sufficiently contained but heavy on the wrist, a treat! The cabochon goes wonderfully with the yellow of the gold. I am not a fan of Roman numerals in general but on a Santos, it seems obvious.

What a gem!

I love iconic watches, and that is the case with the Santos (and Cartier!), even more than many other models, this one really is unlike any other. The second point is its versatility, as much a dress watch as a sports watch with its steel bracelet and visible screws.

I was looking for an icon for my 40th birthday and it was one of my choices. I had first looked at it a lot then I went to try it on in store. I first put on a large model, but it was way too big, then a medium, which I found too small. I have a 17.5cm wrist. It's like with food, you have to eat spicy dishes last! At the time, I was not finally won over and I was not sure that it corresponded to my style.

So I went for another model for my birthday but it kept running through my head... I then had the opportunity to try the large model several times, always too big. Then more recently the medium model, and there it was love at first sight! I tried the blue and the green but I preferred to opt for the classic white dial, to be able to match it with any color of clothes (I like everything to match) and for fear of getting tired of the other colors. We are at Cartier, the king of bold classicism!

Since I got it, I am still a little undecided on the size (maybe a little small), but I have had it for a short time and perhaps I need some time to adapt. The very positive side is the passage under a sleeve to protect or hide it, which I have never experienced on any other watch, all much larger.

The quick systems for the bracelet and the links are truly exceptional! The only problem is that there are almost no compatible models except for Cartier. I haven't managed to find a catalog of Cartier bracelets, which is a shame with the great quick-change system! I must also admit that I was disappointed by the quality of the camel bracelet that came with it. I would love to find the rubber strap available on the large model, but I don't think it exists on the medium model.

If I have to summarize, what I find great about this Santos is that it is both unique with a very particular and divisive style and as much as it is elegant and sporty, feminine and masculine, innovative and classic, in short full of paradoxes and yet so universal! And with my little experience and that of those around me, I have noticed that it is rarely appreciated at first glance, but that on the other hand the magic works every time over time. It is not a watch where the mechanics are important, what matters is wearing a piece of history and elegance on the wrist.

An icon unlike any other

Nothing to add to all that is already known.
The watch is very classy, reliable and the bracelets are easily interchangeable.
The steel bracelet is very comfortable and fits the wrist perfectly (adjustable with tools provided upon purchase, and very easily).
Note that the second bracelet offered by the house (leather) is of very good quality.
This Santos Grand Modèle with date window was one of my dreams, now come true.

Excellent watch

This watch has all the traits of my personality, it is almost always on time, precious, square with rounded corners and versatile. It is precious because it is made of gold and steel and versatile thanks to its 100m water resistance so I can wear it almost anywhere, both at work where I often have my hands in the water, and at a pool party or in the evening.

A desire for a very classic, fine watch, but with a slight sporty side. With Cartier's renewed vigor on the watch market in recent years, I took the plunge. Cocorico! Even if Swiss made. It goes with everything, under the most fitted shirts with its thickness of 8.8mm. Perfect for the office, but also with jeans and a t-shirt. The steel bracelet and the 100m water resistance for the sporty side and no hassle. And the possibility of changing to a leather strap for a more dressy side. Special mention for the quick fastening system and also the adjustment of the bracelet possible with a toothpick or a Bic pen cap! The medium format is ideal, neither too big nor too small. A nice presence on the wrist. I would have appreciated a date window instead of an index at 3 or 6 p.m. A detail that I appreciate, the blue of the hands that appears under certain lighting. For me an iconic watch, well made, timeless. A basic to have in every wardrobe. And then Cartier is still a beautiful story.

Santos medium automatic 

La marque Ollech &amp; Wajs a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 1956 par Joseph Ollech et Albert Wajs &agrave; Zurich en Suisse. Albert &eacute;tait charg&eacute; de la conception, de l&rsquo;ing&eacute;nierie et de la fabrication des montres, tandis que Joseph s&rsquo;occupait du marketing et de la vente au d&eacute;tail. Avant de cr&eacute;er leur propre montres sous la marque Ollech &amp; Wajs, ils ont commenc&eacute; leur activit&eacute; en 1954 en fabriquant des bracelets en acier pour d&rsquo;autres marques.
La marque est connue pour avoir distribu&eacute; des montres &agrave; des unit&eacute;s de l&rsquo;arm&eacute;e am&eacute;ricaine pendant la guerre du Vietnam et pour avoir gagn&eacute; sa renomm&eacute;e aupr&egrave;s des plongeurs et pilotes du monde entier.
Apr&egrave;s 12 ans de n&eacute;gociation et apr&egrave;s avoir &eacute;t&eacute; son distributeur pour le march&eacute; fran&ccedil;ais, en 2017, Charles Le Menestrel, un passionn&eacute; d&rsquo;horlogerie, rach&egrave;te la marque. La gamme actuelle comprend des mod&egrave;les comme la Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 et la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104">Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/c-1000">Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000</a>, la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/ocean_graph">Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph</a> et la Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron.
<h2>Combien co&ucirc;te une montre Ollech &amp; Wajs ?</h2>
Les prix des montres Ollech &amp; Wajs &eacute;voluent et diff&egrave;rent selon les mod&egrave;les. La plupart co&ucirc;tent entre CHF 1,500 et CHF 2,000 selon les mod&egrave;les et les finitions. Comptez CHF 1,456 pour une Ollech &amp; Wajs 350CI et pr&egrave;s de CHF 2,300 pour une Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron Chronographe. Le march&eacute; de l'occasion est &eacute;galement une opportunit&eacute; &agrave; regarder pour acheter une Ollech &amp; Wajs moins ch&egrave;re. Les mod&egrave;les Vintage notamment les Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron et&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/astrochron">Ollech &amp; Wajs Astrochron</a>, sont tr&egrave;s pris&eacute;es des collectionneurs et ils convient de bien se renseigner sur le vendeur avant de franchir le pas de l'acquisition d'une vintage.
Ollech &amp; Wajs est une marque de montres ind&eacute;pendante et produit plusieurs centaines de montres par an, tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Pour choisir une Ollech &amp; Wajs qui vous correspond le mieux,&nbsp;les avis clients Dialicious sont une pr&eacute;cieuse ressource pour &eacute;valuer chacun des diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients.
Consultez le <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_suisses">Classement des meilleures marques de montres suisses</a> dont Ollech &amp; Wajs fait partie.
(Mise &agrave; jour Octobre 2024)

The brand Ollech &amp; Wajs was created in 1956 by Joseph Ollech and Albert Wajs in Zurich, Switzerland. Albert was responsible for the design, engineering and manufacturing of the watches, while Joseph handled marketing and retail sales. Before creating their own watches under the brand Ollech &amp; Wajs, they started their business in 1954 making steel bracelets for other brands.
The brand is known for distributing watches to units of the American army during the Vietnam War and for having earned its reputation among divers and pilots around the world.
After 12 years of negotiations and after having been its distributor for the French market, in 2017, Charles Le Menestrel, a watchmaking enthusiast, bought the brand. The current range includes models like the Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 and the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104">Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/c-1000">Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/ocean_graph"> Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph</a> and the Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does an Ollech &amp; Wajs watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Ollech &amp; Wajs watches change and differ depending on the model. Most cost between CHF 1,500 and CHF 2,000 depending on the models and finishes. Expect to pay CHF 1,456 for an Ollech &amp; Wajs 350CI and close to CHF 2,300 for an Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron Chronograph. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to buy a cheaper Ollech &amp; Wajs. Vintage models including the Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/astrochron">Ollech &amp; Wajs Astrochron</a>, are very popular with collectors and they should find out about the seller before taking the step of purchasing a vintage one.
Ollech &amp; Wajs is an independent watch brand and produces several hundred watches per year, all models combined. To choose an Ollech &amp; Wajs that best suits you, Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real owner experience.
Consult the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_swiss_watch_brands">Ranking of the best Swiss watch brands</a> of which Ollech &amp; Wajs is part.
(Updated October 2024)

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