Sell your Cartier in Switzerland

A Cartier watch is best sold in Switzerland through a buyer who collects bids from several dealers and passes on the highest one as a binding offer. Model, size, metal, movement type and completeness decide the sum. Santos, Tank and Ballon Bleu are the lines the trade asks for most often.

Uhrenkontor is a purchasing platform run by Solidas GmbH, registered in the canton of Schwyz with its office in Schindellegi SZ. Over 25 partner dealers across Switzerland assess every Cartier submitted, working from watch data and photographs. The best bid reaches you as a binding offer within 12 hours on working days; it is free, without obligation and valid for several days. Watches from around CHF 3,000 market value upwards are bought, and dealers never receive your contact details.

What determines the value of a Cartier?

Model, size and metal

Cartier offers most lines in several sizes, typically small, medium and large, with extra large added on the Santos. The size is part of the reference number, WSSA0018 for the Santos de Cartier Large in steel for example, and it steers demand: larger men's watches and small ladies watches appeal to quite different buyers. The metals run from steel through two-tone to yellow, rose and white gold, in some cases with factory-set diamonds.

Quartz or mechanical

Cartier fits both quartz movements and mechanical calibres, among them the automatic 1847 MC and the in-house 1904 MC. Mechanical models are as a rule in stronger demand on the secondary market than quartz models of the same size. With small steel quartz watches the market value often sits below the purchase threshold of around CHF 3,000.

Box, warranty card and invoice

A full set comprises the watch, the red original box, the warranty card with serial number, the booklets and, on newer models, the interchangeable straps with their tool. The card documents the date of purchase and the seller. Watches without papers are bought; dealers then examine serial number and finishing more closely.

Condition and servicing

Cartier cases and bracelets have often been polished, and unpolished examples with crisp edges are preferred by the market. On leather strap models the state of the deployant clasp counts; on metal bracelets it is the amount of slack. Servicing before a sale is rarely economical, though Cartier service records tell in your favour.

Which Cartier models are most in demand?

The Santos goes back to the wristwatch of 1904 and was relaunched in 2018 as the Santos de Cartier with the QuickSwitch strap change system and the SmartLink adjustable bracelet. The Large version WSSA0018 in steel with calibre 1847 MC and the medium models are the most searched-for references, alongside the slim-cased Santos-Dumont.

The Tank has been the rectangular emblem of the house since 1917. The Tank Must relaunched in 2021, the Tank Louis Cartier in gold, the Tank Française on a metal bracelet and the Tank Américaine are all bought; mechanical versions and gold models are in stronger demand than small quartz pieces.

The Ballon Bleu, with its round, domed case and the crown protected by a guard, has been one of the most successful models since 2007. The automatic versions at 40 and 42 mm, and the ladies models in gold or with diamonds, are wanted.

The Pasha, recognisable by the crown cap on its little chain, was relaunched in 2020; the current 41 and 35 mm models as well as the older Pasha C and Pasha Seatimer are assessed. The Panthère returned in 2017 as a quartz ladies watch on a link bracelet; in gold, two-tone or with diamonds it sits above the purchase threshold.

Vintage Cartier from before the 1990s, such as a Tank Louis Cartier in gold or an early Santos, is valued individually; originality of dial and movement counts most.

How selling your Cartier works

1. Fill in the form: model, reference, size, movement type and what is included, with at least three photographs. It takes about three minutes.
2. Receive your offer: over 25 partner dealers assess the watch; the highest bid reaches you as a binding offer within 12 hours on working days and stays valid for several days.
3. Hand the watch over in person: anywhere in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, at a bank branch, a notary's office, your workplace or your home. Condition, authenticity and completeness are checked there; if anything differs from the description, an adjusted offer follows at no cost.
4. Payment: in cash, by bank transfer or by Twint.

How to recognise a reputable buyer

A reputable buyer names a figure, not a range. With Cartier and its many sizes and movement variants, a stated sum for your exact reference is the only basis for comparison, together with a stated validity period.

The company behind the offer can be checked. Uhrenkontor is operated by Solidas GmbH, entered in the commercial register of the canton of Schwyz. Legal form, domicile and authorised signatories are visible in the Swiss company index Zefix.

Discretion is a given. At Uhrenkontor dealers see watch data and photographs only, never your contact details. There is no shop; the handover takes place where you choose.

A reputable buyer applies no time pressure. Several days of validity leave room for comparison. There is more on this in the guide to selling a watch in Switzerland and on How it works.