Cartier is one of the best luxury watch brands to invest in. We examine the most popular models and look at Cartier watch prices in South Africa.

Are Cartier watches a good investment?

King Edward VII called Cartier “the jeweller to kings and the king of jewellers”. The technical mastery and use of premium materials made Cartier popular as a luxury dress watch.

As a brand, it’s associated with royalty and has been at the forefront of haute horlogerie – the high art of watchmaking – since 1847.

Cartier watches retain their value in the long term and often gain in value. This makes them popular with investors. However, luxury watches don’t become investments overnight. It’s important to choose the right model.

Cartier prices in South Africa

Prices for many Cartier watches in South Africa push high six-figure sums, depending on the model and the dealer. Second-hand and auction prices vary.

Chrono24 has a list of Cartier prices in rands to give you an idea of what you might pay for different models.

Popular Cartier watches

For a luxury watch to gain value, it has to be in high demand. Choosing one of the most popular Cartier models increases the chance of it gaining value over time.

However, there are no guarantees. Demand for luxury watches can change just like any other asset.

All prices are for a new Cartier watch at the time of writing and converted from US dollars based on the exchange rate at the time.

Cartier Ballon Bleu

There are 27 different models of the Ballon Bleu. They all feature the classic round face and most feature roman numerals. They start from about R98,000.

Cartier Tank

Designed in 1916 to represent the shape of a WWI tank, the classic rectangular face of the Cartier Tank comes in 46 different models. Prices start from R40,300.

Santos de Cartier

Created in 1904, the Santos de Cartier was designed to help aviators tell time mid-flight. With a square face and classic roman numerals, it comes in 17 models. Prices start from R59,400.

Cartier Tortue

The shape of the Cartier Tortue was inspired by a tortoise and was first released in 1912. There are currently nine models available with prices starting at R193,700.

Cartier Pasha

The Cartier Pasha was first designed in 1985 and features a more contemporary round design with simple numbering. There are nine models starting from R100,118.

Other factors that can affect the value

Other than the model , there are other factors that affect value.

Age

The age of a watch can be advantageous ­– or not. A few years can make a watch second hand and less desirable. A few decades can make it vintage, which may increase its value.

Condition

For vintage and pre-owned Cartier watches, you need to consider the condition of the watch. Scratches, dirt and marks devalue a watch. Regular servicing and professional cleaning are essential.

Original box and papers

Cartier watches in the original box and with any documents or certificates of authenticity make the watch more bankable. These documents can also be used to prove ownership.

Using a luxury watch for an asset-based loan

Now that you know the Cartier watch prices in South Africa, you can consider unlocking the value of a luxury watch without selling it by using it as collateral on an asset-based loan.

The amount of this type of short-term loan is based solely on the value of the watch. So there’s no need for lengthy application processes or credit checks.

At Lamna, we offer fast, discreet loans against the value of a wide range of assets, from luxury watches and jewellery to vehicles or artwork.

For more information about using an asset to secure a short-term loan, contact us on 086 111 2866 or simply complete and submit our online application form.