[arun21]

Hello all. Any input would be appreciated as I'm trying to come to a conclusion on which to get (or receive rather) as a wedding present.

Im open to other ideas, but I seem to like these two the best and don't want to go the Rolex, Panerai route. I really like the styling of both. I'm looking at the Roadster large size non-chrono with black face.

 

[ulackfocus]

Pictures. Gotta have 'em. Most of us can't think without pictures, even with a no-brainer like this.

 

[arun21]

These two watches:

and

 

[ulackfocus]

Yep, it's a no brainer - IWC all the way.

 

[arun21]

Pictures here make the IWC look much better. Apparently they are discontinuing the Roadster too.

 

[Watchbreath]

If it wasn't for that crown, Roadster.

 

[Wetworks]

Never understood the cult following of the Roadster, so the Portofino is a slam-dunk for me.

 

[alton1]

I like the IWC.

 

[CometHunter]

Cartier is for show-offs. IWC is for watch lovers.

 

[~tc~]

IWC is AWFULLY expensive for a Sellita movement ...and IMHO, the Cartier is ugly. There are so many awesome watches in this price range, I don't see why you would choose between these two

 

[North of the Border]

The Cartier looks awesome to me. I vote Cartier on this one.

 

[CometHunter]

Saying "it's a Sellita movement" is a oversimplifying it a tad. The IWC 35110 is based on the Sellita 300, but they've taken it apart and reworked it to their own specifications. Whether one likes the idea or not, doing so costs the consumer money.
Why arun21 likes it is his concern. All we can do is answer questions and suggest alternatives. Personally, I can't understand why anyone would go for a watch with a diameter greater than 42mm but I've never dissuaded anyone from getting such a watch based on that factor alone. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

 

[Widows Son]

IWC. When I think of Cartier I think of a nice gold tank on a black strap. Too many of the new Cartiers look like something you'd see backstage at a rap concert.

 

[Enzo Temko]

The Roadster is one of those 'signature' watches that you can spot from 50 feet. In real life they have an amazing presence. Huge on style. If you get an IWC, only you know it's a great watch. The couple eating at the next table think you are wearing a Casio. We say we don't wear watches to please anyone but ourselves, but it is always sort of nice when somebody else notices.

 

[ulackfocus]

We say we don't wear watches to please anyone but ourselves, but it is always sort of nice when somebody else notices.

Yeah, like the pair of thugs with ski masks and .38's, right? hmy:

I'll keep my under-the-radar watches, thankyouverymuch. :wink: I like being in the WIS secret society. All the people looking for recognition can Rolex and Cartier themselves til they're giddy. :laugh:

 

[GETS]

IWC - Not even a fair fight.

 

[GETS]

PS - I think Cartier is a womens watch brand myself. Just my personal "feeling".

 

[zenmsic]

I will choose the IWC, definitely

 

[~tc~]

Saying "it's a Sellita movement" is a oversimplifying it a tad. The IWC 35110 is based on the Sellita 300, but they've taken it apart and reworked it to their own specifications. Whether one likes the idea or not, doing so costs the consumer money.

Fair enough, but they are charging pure manufacture money, not "modified stock" money ... And especially when the base movement isn't really anything special to start with.

The two watches are so different it's hard to tell what the OP is looking for, but appears budget might be $5k:
IWC Ingenieur Vintage
JLC Reverso
JLC Master Control
Longines Master Retrograde
Longines Column Wheel
And on and on and on ...

 

[Watch Me]

If I were shopping in that price range, I'd take a hard look at some of the distinctive Maurice LaCroix models. Right now I'm enamoured of the Pontos Moonphase with the offcenter dial and the moonphase off to the right.