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Thoughts on Two Simple Watches—Are They Classics?
Please share your thoughts on these two simple watches: the Patek 3520D and the Tank Louis Cartier. Although both have only two hands and although many are in circulation, IMHO each of them has earned a spot in the book of horological classics. Both the Calatrava and the Tank are manually wound; both measure roughly 33mm; and both are relatively affordable. I do not yet own the Tank but recently tried on the one pictured. It is the 100th anniversary Tank, and I hope to have the financial wherewithal to purchase one for myself sometime soon—as part of a personal anniversary right around the corner. Are they classics in your opinion? Please note that I am intentionally not comparing them in terms of elegance.
Both are classy ! Tank for Cartier should be a classic.
The Patek 3520D I do not know.
Both of them are classics. Calatrava has had several different versions, yet the "Clous de Paris" bezel, 2 hands and no date, makes it the perfect example of Calatravas. Maybe not the most sought after but it is a classic indeed.
The Tank, is also a classic, but please note that usually "shaped" watches tend to wear larger than round ones. The PP is only 33mm yet as I assume it is very thin and it probably fills the wrist well enough.
When it comes to choice only you can decide ! Enjoy the search !
When it comes to choice only you can decide ! Enjoy the search !
I would be honest
My honest answers.
Not the kind of watches for me.
It are good brands.
Let’s say i like bigger todays sizes, crazy complications and trendy colors.
Modern mechanical watches.
Not the kind of watches for me.
It are good brands.
Let’s say i like bigger todays sizes, crazy complications and trendy colors.
Modern mechanical watches.
The Cartier for sure
For the 3520 I am not sure. The inital calatrava did not have the Clous de Paris bezel and it sport the PP 175/177 ultra-thin caliber that is the Patek version of the Frederic Pigue 21 caliber. That by itself is nothing bad, actually equipped with Gyromax it would be the ultimate FP21 version, but not a classic PP caliber, so that's why if I would be searching for a classic and affordable PP I would rather look at something like a PP 2573 from the 60's with 23-300 caliber and a Tank Cartier with their version of the FP21 
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.I agree. Both are very classy. I would take Calatrava but only because I do prefer round watches over rectangular.
To me, the Tank is certainly a classic
The Calatrava, or at least that Calatrava, less so; it is a beautiful watch, and classical in its design, but not 'a classic' in the sense of being iconic. The Tank someone across the room will instantly recognizer, the calatrava wont be seen the same way. If you were to choose between one, my choice would be the Tank hands down.
Both are stunning pieces and you should be proud to own them.
These two have completely different shapes, so decide intuitively.
And if you choose Calatrava, I think the 5120 is better than the 3520D in many ways. It ’s a little expensive and the size is a little big,
In terms of elegance and movement reliability, index thickness and visibility
In terms of elegance and movement reliability, index thickness and visibility
Many Thanks
Thank you all for your thoughts. I currently own the Calatrava; therefore, I fortunately do not have to choose between it and the Tank. Based on your thoughts and my gut, I will definitely pull the trigger on the Tank sometime soon. Happy Horology!
Classic watches never go out of style
The 3520D is a classic hobnail bezel two hand watch that will forever have its place in Patek's history book of classic Calatravas.