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Bvlgari vs Cartier
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Bvlgari and Cartier. Two of the most pristine, highly coveted, and luxurious watches on the market. These two brands stand at the forefront of celebrity watchwear, as both have been seen time and time again attributing to some of the biggest names in fashion.
Both brands date back to the 1800s, with a legacy as rich and as glamorous as their jewelry. These two titans have had centuries to perfect their craft, but how do they compare to each other?
Come with me today as we go on a detailed journey through time, exploring all of the ways that both of these brands were so influential while also examining what sets them apart from each other.
History and Brand Heritage
Cartier was founded in 1847 and has its headquarters located in Paris, France. Bvlgari was founded in 1884, with its headquarters in Rome, Italy. Both brands reside in two of the most esteemed cities in the world, whose contributions to fashion are some of the most iconic to date.
Perhaps one of the well-known claims to fame among Cartier fans is the recognition by Great Britain’s King Edward VII, who declared that Cartier was “The jeweler of kings and the kings of jewelers.”
Before they explored watchmaking, Cartier were jewelers responsible for producing rings, bracelets, necklaces, and earrings of the highest quality. It wasn’t until 1904—a time when pocket watches were in style—that they manufactured their first wristwatch.
There is some debate about whether or not Cartier was responsible for the first wristwatch ever. Patek Phillipe technically crafted the first ladies’ watch shortly before, but we can all agree that Cartier is responsible for skyrocketing the wristwatch to its level of fame.
Cartier’s first wristwatch for men was called the Santos—named after Louis Cartier’s friend and pilot who complained to Louis about how hard it was to use his pocket watch while flying a plane.
As of 2020, Cartier has over 6 billion in annual revenue and a brand value of $12.2 billion. They are also ranked the 56th most valuable watch brand by Forbes.
Bvlgari’s history dates back to the 1920s, with early high jewelry creations reflecting the design of traditional French schools, incorporating platinum and diamonds with a geometric pattern.
The genuine Italian style emerged in the 40s, with pieces embracing sunny shades of yellow gold and rich Serpenti designs.
By the mid-50s, Bvlgari introduced daring chromatic combinations, blending precious and colored stones to invoke a newfound appreciation of the Roman landscape. This led to the Cabochon becoming a hallmark of the brand.
Bvlagari has a brand value of $5.4 billion. And rank #45 among the top 50 most-loved brands in Europe.
Overall, I would say that Cartier gets more attention than Bvlgari, especially in the US. On that same list, where Bvlgari ranks 45th in most popular brands in Europe, Cartier comes in at #32.
It makes sense; they are both European brands that have been around for a very long time, so naturally, they are going to get more traction in Europe.
They may be evenly matched across the sea, but in the US, it would be my guess that Cartier would be much more recognized because it is one of the most popular brands among Hollywood celebrities, getting frequent publicity from famous actors or models sporting elegant wristwear designed to catch the eye of the public.
Both brands, however, are some of the highest quality pieces that you can get, and just because one might be a little more popular doesn’t mean that the other is lacking in any regard. Let’s take a closer look at what makes these two brands shine and why exactly they are so coveted.
Model Variety
Watchmaking is an art, and just like any art, excessive inspiration is required for artists to shine. Both Cartier and Bvlgari are two of the most inspirational brands the industry has ever seen, countlessly contributing time and time again and instilling a sense of refinery that has swiftly guided the trajectory of the entire craft.
Both of them do it in grand style as well, with each brand having a large selection of timepieces with hundreds of models.
They both produce pieces with hand-wound, self-winding, and quartz watch movements, with materials varying from stainless steel to gold. In some cases, many pieces from both brands will also have diamond bezel rings, accentuating the esteemed level of glamour.
Cartier watches have gained the reputation of aging like fine wine. The technology within every piece is built to last, and the exterior is designed to protect that technology for as long as possible.
Cartier pieces are more classical, almost looking like relics from a forgotten time, instilling within you a sense of nostalgia for a time that you never even knew.
Pieces like the Tank Must and the Quartz Silver ooze with that classical glory that is impossible to describe unless you’re physically holding the watch in your hands.
The square dials and thick Roman numerals have become a second-hand association with the brand, so iconic that sometimes you forget that other pieces can also use the same aesthetic.
To say that these watches are utilitarian would probably be a stretch. The Tank and the Crash are two very tough builds, but they almost stand in an element of their own, so refined that you forget how durable they are.
That, to me, is an incredible achievement. Needless to say, Cartier watches will hold up in rough environments, but because of how pristine they are, you would be very foolish to wear these kinds of watches somewhere they could get damaged.
The Panthere is not only one of the most popular women’s models but one of the most coveted models out of Cartier’s entire catalog. It is also part of the reason why Cartier watches are so popular among celebrities.
In the 90s, “It girls” like Gwyneth Paltrow and Madonna were seen sporting the watch, and in 2017, when the model was revived, it picked up right where it left off on the wrists of icons like Dua Lipa and Zendaya.
Remember, Cartier also specializes in jewelry, so its female fanbase is perhaps even larger than the males who only concern themselves with the brand’s watches.
Bvlgari’s claim to fame is the geometrically perfect cases and the bold and unique style that has also made them a favorite among celebrities. The Serpenti collection has gained a cult-level following because of its mesmerizing design.
This elegant line was first released in the 1940s, with the focus on delivering a pristine jewelry-like feel to a simple wristwatch. The models under the Serpenti Sedutorri have three shades of gold—rose, white, and yellow—with both ultra-precious and pave diamond renditions.
The Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic is one of their most intricate pieces ever, with a flying tourbillon movement called the Caliber BVL 288 that measures only 1.9mm thick, with a total case thickness of only 3.95mm.
Achieving a measurement like that is not an easy task and is a testament to these watch engineers’ extremely high skill levels. The Bvlgari Bvlgari collection looks a little more like what a traditional watch fan would be used to.
Interestingly enough, it was originally released in 1975 as a gift for the company’s 100 top customers, but it gained so much popularity that Bvlgari decided to turn it into an entire collection, shortly becoming the company’s highest-selling watch after its release.
In case you didn’t already know, Bvlgari also had tremendous success in the jewelry department apart from their watch game.
This, again, is why the women’s Serpenti Silver watch is one of their most popular items. In the watch world, ladies tend to be drawn to the finer things, often seeking a piece that displays an esteemed level of luxury, incorporating rich gold or fancy diamonds into the design. Its no wonder why the Serpenti Silver is such a common pick among women.
Both Cartier and Bvlgari offer an incredible amount of variety. So much so that it’s tough to compare. Obviously, both of these pieces are mostly renowned for their incredible sense of luxury, providing the most elegant materials and breathtaking designs.
However, if you are a fan of the simpler things, I think the Bvlgari might be a little more up your alley simply because they offer more traditional designs than Cartier. Of course, this is a very niche recommendation.
I cannot sit here and say one brand is better than the other; I can only sit here and tell you what I think, which is why, on the flip side, if you’re looking for a more luxurious piece that is like a little piece of history on your wrist, Cartier is the way to go.
Design
I like to believe that both of these brands follow the same design philosophies, prioritizing pristine design and flawless precision both on the inside and outside of the piece.
Just think, both of these brands are more than a century old, that’s a lot of time to perfect your craft. I would say that both of these brands are as close to perfection as you can get, at least in terms of reliability and refinement.
As I have said before, Cartier feels like a historic testament on your wrist, arguably looking even better with age. Because of their heritage, Cartier watches also hold their value for an incredibly long time.
They prioritize both shape and proportion in their pieces, holding strong to the belief that proportion takes a watch’s elegance to another level while the shaping provides a sense of depth and detail. For Cartier, symmetry is a way to provide that unparalleled aesthetical intricacy, giving their pieces a unique perspective that has become truly iconic.
Bvlgari women’s models typically use quartz movement, prioritizing simplicity and classical elegance, while the men’s models have a more contemporary design, faintly following the outline of a more traditional sports watch.
Over the years, Bvlgari has definitely adapted more to the modern environment, taking their original designs and refining them in a way that would please the modern fanbase.
When comparing the two, Bvlgari comes off as far more contemporary, especially with its aluminum line, and with the new-found addition of ultra-thin models, Bvlgari is definitely making a name for itself as a forerunner for modern designs.
These are two of the most well-designed pieces on the market, and personal preference will play a massive role when deciding which brand suits you best. One thing is for certain: these are two of the most consistent brands on the market, and no matter what you choose, I guarantee you will be satisfied.
Build Quality and Materials
The material of the watch determines how durable and how extravagant the piece really is. If you use cheap, second-hand materials, your watch will not hold up under strenuous environments.
Cutting corners and skimping out on high-quality, authentic metals will ultimately lead to the natural decline of the watch’s overall condition. Needless to say, when looking for watches on the same level as Cartier and Bvlgari, high-quality materials should be one of your top priorities.
Cartier watches can come either fully paved in diamond or a combination of gold and steel. The gold and steel varieties can either combine on one piece or reside alone on your watch, depending on preference.
The hands and straps—unless a different leather strap is used—typically follow in the footsteps of the casing, and their dials can come in either Guilloche, Enamel, or Sapphire crystal.
Bvlgari uses gold, stainless steel, ceramic, and titanium, as well as their relatively new aluminum line, which has taken the watch world by storm. Their dials typically follow suit with their case materials, and some are even made with silk or wood. The hands are made from 18k gold, steel, titanium, or sometimes even brass.
Movements
Cartier uses a mixture of both in-house movements and third-party movements. A few of their self-manufactured movements include the 1904-PS MC, which is one of their most reliable automatic movements that powers pieces like the Calibre de Cartier.
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The 9611 MC and the 9452 MC are the high-end skeleton and tourbillion movements seen in the mesmerizing Santos de Cartier Skeleton and Rotonde de Cartier Tourbillion. And for smaller, more elegant watches, the 1917 MC powers pieces like the Tank Louis Cartier.
As far as third-party movements are concerned, ETA powers a few of the older and entry-level models, Piaget powers some ultra-thin dress watches, and the Jaeger-LeCoultre was previously used to power older Tank and Ballon Bleu models.
Bvlgari uses mostly in-house movements, but they are known to occasionally use third-party ones as well. A couple of their original designs include the BVL 138—the world’s thinnest automatic movement responsible for the iconic Octo Finissibo, and a robust automatic movement used in more classic models, the BVL 191.
The Octo Finissibo series as a whole is undeniably groundbreaking and worth checking out just to admire the intricacy that was required to create something of this magnitude.
Like Cartier, Bvlgari has been known to use ETA movements as well, with the majority of the women’s watches featuring ETA-based quartz movements.
Both of these brands are responsible for some of the most intricate and highly advanced movements that the market has ever seen. They have earned these achievements due to decades of hard work to adapt and innovate, always looking to stand out in the industry.
Pricing
Bvlgari’s pricing starts at around $2,700, while Cartier’s starts at $3,350. Because of its wider recognition, Cartier pieces are going to cost more, but does that mean the quality is better? Not necessarily. Both of these brands are going to be some of the highest-quality pieces you can get.
To say one is objectively better than the other would be wrong, but I can say that Cartier watches are more valuable and will most likely be able to hold more value over time.
My guess is that if you’re seriously looking at buying a Cartier or Bvlgari, then prices aren’t the biggest concern. If that were the case, then my best advice is to seriously take a look and consider the benefits both brands bring to the table and determine what suits you best.
Conclusion
What more is there left to say? I seriously can’t recommend these two brands enough. They are some of the most unique and versatile options out there that prioritize the highest of qualities above all else. True veterans through and through that only get better through each passing decade.
The European style is something that I greatly admire because of the rich history within each piece. The watches communicate so much that it’s hard to choose which one I like more because of how much detail and authenticity each one provides.
If you’re just getting into these brands, I highly recommend doing your own research about the rich history and different models each one provides so that you can more accurately compare how each one fits—or doesn’t fit—you.
Ultimately, these two brands are objective masterpieces. Treasures of our time that have singlehandedly reshaped the watch industry and have influenced the very culture of our society in more ways than we recognize.
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