Skip to content
Compare products

Comparison Women’s luxury watches

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small vs Rolex Datejust 31: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small if you want a jewelry-like steel watch. Buy the Rolex Datejust 31 instead if you want everyday Rolex.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

We research products independently. When you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we earn money

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small
Buy

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small

Best for Bracelet icon

Typically $4,800–$5,600

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
Rolex Datejust 31
Buy

Rolex Datejust 31

Best for Versatile Rolex

Typically $9,500–$14,000

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureCartier Panthère de Cartier SmallRolex Datejust 31
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$4,800–$5,600$9,500–$14,000
Best forBracelet iconVersatile Rolex
Key featureSupple steel bracelet watchDatejust 31
Case22 x 30 mm steel31 mm steel
MovementQuartzRolex 2236
Water resistance30 m100 m
Power reserveBattery55 hours
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Case

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: 22 x 30 mm steel; Rolex Datejust 31: 31 mm steel.

Movement

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: Quartz; Rolex Datejust 31: Rolex 2236.

Water resistance

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: 30 m; Rolex Datejust 31: 100 m.

Power reserve

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: Battery; Rolex Datejust 31: 55 hours.

Why buy it

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: supple steel bracelet watch; Rolex Datejust 31: datejust 31.

Made for

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: bracelet icon; Rolex Datejust 31: versatile Rolex.

Usual price

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: $4,800–$5,600; Rolex Datejust 31: $9,500–$14,000.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small if you

  • you want a jewelry-like steel watch
  • value iconic
Check Price Paid link

Choose the Rolex Datejust 31 if you

  • you want everyday Rolex
  • value holds value
Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every piece we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best women’s luxury watches.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Rolex Lady-Datejust 28

Rolex · Women’s luxury watches

Rolex Lady-Datejust 28

Buy it if you want a lifetime Rolex.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Classic Rolex
Typical price
$13,000–$17,000

Pros

  • Holds value
  • Timeless

Cons

  • Pricey
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36

Rolex · Women’s luxury watches

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36

Buy it if you want entry Rolex.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Entry Rolex
Typical price
$6,600–$10,000

Pros

  • Holds value
  • Colours

Cons

  • Hard to buy
Check Price on Amazon Paid linkRead our review

Frequently asked questions

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small or Rolex Datejust 31: which should I buy?

Buy the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small if you want a jewelry-like steel watch. Buy the Rolex Datejust 31 instead if you want everyday Rolex.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small usually costs $4,800–$5,600 and the Rolex Datejust 31 $9,500–$14,000. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

How we research products Editorial policy

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small or Rolex Datejust 31: the full reasoning

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small or Rolex Datejust 31? Both are strong women’s luxury watches, which is exactly why the choice is hard. The short version first: buy the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small if you want a jewelry-like steel watch, and buy the Rolex Datejust 31 if you want everyday Rolex. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small wins on supple steel bracelet watch. The Rolex Datejust 31 answers with datejust 31. Case: 22 x 30 mm steel on the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small, 31 mm steel on the Rolex Datejust 31. Movement: Quartz on the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small, Rolex 2236 on the Rolex Datejust 31. Water resistance: 30 m on the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small, 100 m on the Rolex Datejust 31. Power reserve: Battery on the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small, 55 hours on the Rolex Datejust 31.

Reasons to buy the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small

Iconic, Comfortable. What to accept: quartz. Usual price: $4,800–$5,600. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small review.

Reasons to buy the Rolex Datejust 31

Holds value, Versatile. What to accept: hard to buy. Usual price: $9,500–$14,000. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Rolex Datejust 31 review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best women’s luxury watches has every other piece with its own call. Movement: quartz is accurate and low-maintenance for a watch you wear now and then; automatic suits daily wear.

Also consider the Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 ($13,000–$17,000): fluted bezel Lady-Datejust. Buy it if you want a lifetime Rolex.

Also consider the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 ($6,600–$10,000): oyster Perpetual 36. Buy it if you want entry Rolex.

Buyer tip

Steel Cartier, Rolex and Omega watches hold value well; gold and gem-set fashion-house watches resell at a big discount.

Buying in Europe: authorized-dealer prices for Swiss watches are set per country and include VAT; a watch bought in Switzerland or the EU carries the same international warranty as one bought in the US. Grey-market and pre-owned prices are often quoted in euros or Swiss francs.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.