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Comparison Women’s luxury watches

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small vs Rolex Lady-Datejust 28: 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 Lady-Datejust 28 instead if you want a lifetime Rolex.

By Opulique Editorial Team Updated 1 min read

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Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small
Buy

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small

Best for Bracelet icon

Typically $4,800–$5,600

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Rolex Lady-Datejust 28
Buy

Rolex Lady-Datejust 28

Best for Classic Rolex

Typically $13,000–$17,000

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureCartier Panthère de Cartier SmallRolex Lady-Datejust 28
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$4,800–$5,600$13,000–$17,000
Best forBracelet iconClassic Rolex
Key featureSupple steel bracelet watchFluted bezel Lady-Datejust
Case22 x 30 mm steel28 mm steel and gold
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 Lady-Datejust 28: 28 mm steel and gold.

Movement

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: Quartz; Rolex Lady-Datejust 28: Rolex 2236.

Water resistance

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: 30 m; Rolex Lady-Datejust 28: 100 m.

Power reserve

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: Battery; Rolex Lady-Datejust 28: 55 hours.

Why buy it

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: supple steel bracelet watch; Rolex Lady-Datejust 28: fluted bezel Lady-Datejust.

Made for

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: bracelet icon; Rolex Lady-Datejust 28: classic Rolex.

Usual price

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small: $4,800–$5,600; Rolex Lady-Datejust 28: $13,000–$17,000.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small if you

  • you want a jewelry-like steel watch
  • value iconic
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Choose the Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 if you

  • you want a lifetime Rolex
  • value holds value
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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 Datejust 31

Rolex · Women’s luxury watches

Rolex Datejust 31

Buy it if you want everyday Rolex.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Versatile Rolex
Typical price
$9,500–$14,000

Pros

  • Holds value
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Hard to buy
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 Lady-Datejust 28: which should I buy?

Buy the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small if you want a jewelry-like steel watch. Buy the Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 instead if you want a lifetime Rolex.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small usually costs $4,800–$5,600 and the Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 $13,000–$17,000. 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 Lady-Datejust 28: the full reasoning

Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small or Rolex Lady-Datejust 28? 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 Lady-Datejust 28 if you want a lifetime 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 Lady-Datejust 28 answers with fluted bezel Lady-Datejust. Case: 22 x 30 mm steel on the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small, 28 mm steel and gold on the Rolex Lady-Datejust 28. Movement: Quartz on the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small, Rolex 2236 on the Rolex Lady-Datejust 28. Water resistance: 30 m on the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small, 100 m on the Rolex Lady-Datejust 28. Power reserve: Battery on the Cartier Panthère de Cartier Small, 55 hours on the Rolex Lady-Datejust 28.

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 Lady-Datejust 28

Holds value, Timeless. What to accept: pricey. Usual price: $13,000–$17,000. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 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 Datejust 31 ($9,500–$14,000): datejust 31. Buy it if you want everyday 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.