Grand Seiko or Cartier

[contender]

or

[Calibr]

Cartier. Your better half won't understand why you paid so much for a Seiko.

[Yikkie]

Definitely the Gand Seiko. It is not even a contest. 

[chenht]

Movement wise Seiko could be a better watch but appearance wise it is a very ugly watch IMHO.

[TJWN]

a very rare case that the buyer is undecided between cartier and gs. normally a collector who like gs wont have a love for a santos....

[watzisname]

a very rare case that the buyer is undecided between cartier and gs. normally a collector who like gs wont have a love for a santos....

I agree

[mike]

Cartier. Your better half won't understand why you paid so much for a Seiko.

I totally disagree with your comment. GS is a watch with understated status but it is something premium, most people would think that it is just a normal RM500 Seiko, but the real connoisseurs and horological enthusiasts would admire to your exquisite taste. Needless to say, the spring drive mechanism fitted in the GS is definitely a beater. There are hundreds of GS owners in this forum, I believe most of them are big horological enthusiasts, and they never doubt every penny they paid for the GS.

GS and the Santos, I'd go for the GS anytime.

[Calibr]

Cartier. Your better half won't understand why you paid so much for a Seiko.

I totally disagree with your comment. GS is a watch with understated status but it is something premium, most people would think that it is just a normal RM500 Seiko, but the real connoisseurs and horological enthusiasts would admire to your exquisite taste.
GS and the Santos, I'd go for the GS anytime.

Is the OP buying the watch to impress the REAL connoisseurs? Or buying to wear a premium watch for his own satisfaction, and to impress those around him, who are not REAL connoisseurs? Different watches for different market segments.

[mike]

Cartier. Your better half won't understand why you paid so much for a Seiko.

I totally disagree with your comment. GS is a watch with understated status but it is something premium, most people would think that it is just a normal RM500 Seiko, but the real connoisseurs and horological enthusiasts would admire to your exquisite taste.
GS and the Santos, I'd go for the GS anytime.

Is the OP buying the watch to impress the REAL connoisseurs? Or buying to wear a premium watch for his own satisfaction, and to impress those around him, who are not REAL connoisseurs? Different watches for different market segments.

Don't get me wrong, I did not mention anything about whom he is impressing, but was to explain the worth of a Grand Seiko. No offence intended.

[Xianjeff]

both are beautiful watches with both brands that go way back in the watch making history. rule of thumb is choose the one u like. the plastic wrapped gs or cartier santos...

[sidestreaker]

Though I enjoy the technical aspect of a watch, and Seiko has my vote as the more competent and reliable watch maker, the Santos gets my vote as the better looking one. Like or or not, there's a part in all of us who wants to show off our watches at some point, and the Santos carries a more recognizable fashion statement, both casual and formal.

[CKL1213]

Neither Seiko nor Cartier

[jacky8888]

Cartier Santos

[skccks]

i choose cartier..

[jason_recliner]

Grand Seiko, but auto instead of Spring Drive.  Get the Santos next time.

[sshark]

Buy the watch you like to put on ur wrist. GS SD represents an advancement in horology in the calibre section while Cartier Santos has the aesthetics. I am not saying GS looks ugly, just Cartier looked better in this round.

[meoramri]

Santos. Because design is different

[Spider boy]

Cartier for now and Seiko for later. However , in my experience the cartier will not wear as comfortable and as feasible as the Seiko. Therefore you might want to consider that if you want to have an everyday watch, then again cartier design is pretty slick and sui la aesthetically

[swleong]

The GS is more advanced and refine in technical and finishing.

On the other hand, the Cartier is iconic and rich in history.

Not apple to apple comparison, bit like comparing Lexus with Maserati......

And my personal pick is Cartier.

[Enkidu]

Not apple to apple comparison, bit like comparing Lexus with Maserati......

And my personal pick is Cartier.

Yes, I think swleong is right. It's not really an apple-to-apple comparison because the GS Spring Drive is after all "electronically / quartz regulated". I know a few people who will strongly disagree with me on this point. My personal pick is also the Cartier even assuming I do not already have the GS SD.   

[euclidorus]

Both examples cannot me more different. Round or square. Baton or roman.  Bracelet or leather.  Brown or white dial. Date or no date. Spring drive or eta. Conservative or fashion. Japanese or French. Plastic wrapped or unwrapped.

[contender]

Not apple to apple comparison, bit like comparing Lexus with Maserati......

And my personal pick is Cartier.

Yes, I think swleong is right. It's not really an apple-to-apple comparison because the GS Spring Drive is after all "electronically / quartz regulated". I know a few people who will strongly disagree with me on this point. My personal pick is also the Cartier even assuming I do not already have the GS SD.

Well I would have to agree on your point on spring drive .... "Enhanced/Hybrid Quartz" , maybe the automatic hi beat would be a better comparison.

Anyway they are both different category to be compared, was thinking of a dress watch choice ....

[jason_recliner]

Both examples cannot me more different. Round or square. Baton or roman.  Bracelet or leather.  Brown or white dial. Date or no date. Spring drive or eta. Conservative or fashion. Japanese or French. Plastic wrapped or unwrapped.

Yeah, that.  It's a very weird comparison.

The GS is a dressy sports watch, along the same lines as an Overseas or Royal Oak, rather than a dress watch.  If you're after a dress watch get the Cartier.

[chrisyen]

comparing one with condom, another without condom gonna be hard to tell... which one is more beautiful ! despite the condom is see through type ! 

if u choose a daily beater, then thats depend on your lifestyle

GS SD VS Cartier Santos

movement - accuracy SD won hands down (its quartz mah)
power reserve - SD 72 hrs will power you over a weekend without wearing, while Eta 2892 surely stop if you do not wear for a day with 8 hrs on ur wrist with some movement

bracelet - steel bracelet vs leather strap. i will choose the GS bcoz i sweat alot, not sitting in office everyday, leather strap watch cant be with me everyday

for a dress watch, GS never a design to be a dress watch... u may change it with GS leather strap and their folding buckle
its easier to wear than the cartier butterfly buckle

cartier design is one of the best no doubt... i will want to wear it at dinner for sure !
 

[graffika]

get both if you can...otherwise if you have to choose.....cartier .

i have both GS and Cartier