Do Cartier Watches Hold Their Value?
Yes — Cartier is widely regarded as one of the most reliable luxury watch brands for value retention. According to Bob’s Watches’ 2026 internal sales data, core Cartier references such as the Tank, Santos de Cartier, and Ballon Bleu typically retain 60% to 90% of their original retail price on the pre-owned market, with vintage, gold, and discontinued pieces sometimes exceeding their original price. The ultra-rare Cartier Crash, for instance, is reported by Bob’s Watches to trade for $165,000 or more on the secondary market.
Diamond Banc sees this firsthand through the loans we issue against real Cartier watches: strong collateral value across gold, steel, and vintage references is exactly why we’re able to lend confidently on them (see real loan examples below).
Which Cartier Models Hold Value Best?
- Cartier Tank — Cartier’s flagship since 1917; per Bob’s Watches, vintage 1970s Tanks that originally sold for around $1,000 now resell for $8,000–$12,000.
- Cartier Santos — the world’s first men’s wristwatch (1904); Diamond Banc recently loaned $10,000 on a yellow gold Santos 100, underscoring this reference’s strength as collateral.
- Cartier Ballon Bleu — a modern classic introduced in 2007; Diamond Banc has loaned as much as $7,000 against a rose gold example.
- Cartier Panthère — vintage 1990s examples are seeing a resale renaissance, though steel pieces (like the stainless Panthère Diamond Banc loaned $1,200 on) generally retain less value than gold versions.
- Cartier Crash — an ultra-rare, discontinued model that Bob’s Watches reports can command $165,000+ on the secondary market.
Condition, original box and papers, and rarity all significantly affect resale and loan value — a Cartier watch with complete documentation can be worth an estimated 20–30% more than the same watch sold without it, per Bob’s Watches’ investment guide.
Why Get a Loan on a Cartier Watch from Diamond Banc
Diamond Banc is a trusted, jewelry equity loan company who is nationally known for providing loans using high-quality, luxury watches as collateral. In addition, Diamond Banc will buy Cartier watches from the public, so if you’re not looking for a loan you can also sell your Cartier watch directly to Diamond Banc. Diamond Banc can wire you the money in as fast as 24 hours.
After you submit a no cost, no obligation form, the expert staff at Diamond Banc will quickly get back to you with an initial quote on your Cartier watch. Once you accept that quote, you can safely ship your Cartier watch to our headquarters or visit your nearest office. After we receive and evaluate your watch in person, we will provide you with a final offer. If you accept the offer, we will issue payment immediately. If you shipped in your watch and decide not to accept the final offer, we will ship your Carter watch back to you right away.
How Much We Lend on Cartier Watches
If you have a Cartier yellow gold Santos 100, depending on the condition of the watch, you can expect around $10,000 wired to you within 48 hours from Diamond Banc. One example we have of a Cartier yellow gold Santos 100 we loaned on is pictured below. We loaned $10,000 on this watch. Obviously, the condition of the watch is very important, but this is a good starting place if you have this watch!

Do you have a Cartier rose gold Ballon Bleu like the one pictured below? Diamond Banc recently loaned $7,000 on a rose gold Ballon Bleu. If you have this watch or a similar Cartier piece, you can get started with the loan process today by filling out a simple submission form!


Cartier has been part of the recent record-setting run in the watch auction market too — the WatchCharts Cartier index gained roughly 9% over the past year, right alongside Rolex. See our full look at what today’s watch auction records could mean for your collection’s value.
Interested in getting a loan on a Cartier watch? Start the process today by using our Cartier Watch Value Calculator to determine what your Cartier watch is worth. Or, if you’d rather sell outright, see what Diamond Banc will pay as the nation’s premier Cartier watch buyer. You can also stop by one of our convenient locations.
Cartier Value Retention: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a new Cartier watch lose value right away? Like most luxury watches, a new Cartier typically sees an initial value dip after purchase, before stabilizing within a year or two — which is why Diamond Banc’s loan offers are based on current secondary-market and collateral value rather than original retail price.
Do Cartier watches hold value as well as Rolex? Independent watch-market data (via Bob’s Watches) suggests Rolex sport models often retain a slightly higher percentage of retail value than Cartier, but iconic Cartier references like the Tank and Santos remain some of the most consistently strong performers outside the Rolex lineup — and Diamond Banc lends against both brands.
Which Cartier watch is the best investment? Historically significant, limited-production, or discontinued pieces — the Tank, Santos, and especially the ultra-rare Crash — tend to hold or gain value best over time, according to industry data. Condition and complete original documentation matter just as much as the model itself.


