Ironically, I had to make this exact decision about a month ago. I went with the Cartier Santos. The historical significance, elegant style, unique look, and overall beauty just made it the perfect choice for me. Here we are 1 month later…..no regrets!! The Santos is fantastic!

I had the zenith defy in blue ceramic. It was cool and interesting, but that’s it. I had the blue dial santos and now settled with the two tone large. The santos is by far a better watch in my opinion. It’s classic, it can be sporty and dressy. You can switch the bracelet to a strap very easily and it’s a whole new look. It fits great. It will stand the test of time like it has always done. santos.

Bruce, I wear the new Seiko 5KX often. I fell in love with the damn thing. Amazing value! Thanks for this video on this Sunday morning

I love that you are making a video about a viewers question! Well done

Cartier has the history and elegance perfect blend of a classy dress watch that can be sporty💯

I'd pick the Zenith, the Cartier does nothing for me. Also, I'm a bit of a hipster at times, so having a less well recognized(by non-watch people) brand appeals to me.

Luv ya Bruce. Your personality makes your videos outstanding

Zenith is proper classy, but Cartier is Cartier & no other company competes with that. Both are fantastic, either would be a winner imho. Good luck - Bruce called my choice right ( a couple of videos back) Cheers mate 👍👍 Edit, I want an eye crapping watch now 😂👍

I love the Cartier.... The Design, the colors, all.... 🙂 - many thanks for sharing all this great watches! Have a great day!

Hey Bruce! Chris here! Thanks so much for making a video from my email! Your comments and everyone else's have swayed me towards the Santos. My year end bonus arrives soon, then I'll pop into my AD. P.S. the key point was the classic design. I also fear the Zenith will not age as well at the Cartier. I also totally agree with your opening comments. We tell lie to ourselves way too much in this hobby! Thanks for the reality check on that! Thanks again for the great content! Chris Edit:. I am now considering selling both the Tudor and the Oris and buying both! I never thought of that option until someone on the comments suggested it. Oh the first world problems we have.....

That zenith is beautiful

Brilliant review, thx 👌🏼

Recently purchased the zenith chronomaster sport. Not one to go for two tone watches but I think it really works well on the santos.

Yikes that’s a tough choice! I will say though that the Santos is an incredible wear on the wrist. If it was my choice? Sell the rest and buy both the the defy and Santos as a perfect 2 piece collection

A couple of years ago I made the decision to not have a balanced collection. I just buy and add watches that I absolutely MUST have.... anything thats basically filler for a collection is no longer interesting to me. I can appreciate all the watches in this video....but I'm only buying something that I've agonized and pined months or years for.

I prefer the Santos and is looking to add it to my collection next year however, the Zenith Defy chrono in rubber strap is a great fit in your collection. Skeleton or Panda dial, Chrono movement, rubber strap, all different from your current collection.

The Zenith is eye grabbing. Most excellent!

That watch winder you have the Zenith in Bruce is amazing. Could you post a link or a name to it??

The choice is always very personal, so it is difficult to give an advise to another watch enthusiast. Anyway, every single time I see the Zenith Defy blue dial, I think it's a stunning piece and I would like to add it to my collection.

Bruce i have no money to buy the watches you cover. But still i love it. Some day when I'll be in better position I'll have a good idea what to buy.

Bruce , I really like your Watch winder . What brand or website did it get from . Thanks in advance

Hey Bruce, correction: The Santos DOES actually have strong anti-magnetic properties thanks to a soft iron cage around the movement. At least to 1000 Gauss, though I don't know the exact rating.

Great review Bruce. Ive got to say I'm in the Cartier camp on this one. Santos, super COOL.😎

Hi Bruce. Chris should go with the Santos. But with the grey dial. It comes with a steel bracelett and an rubber strap. This would be the perfect addition. And it would be an compromise between the white Santos and the Defy. It is a rear sporty dresser. And the rubber strap is give you a perfect feeling on the wrist.

You know, Bruce, I have to credit you with turning me onto Cartier. I just ordered a Tank for my wife for Christmas and I am really starting to get how elegant the Tanks are. Maybe it's because of watching Talented Mr. Ripley, or School Ties, or all the Goodwood stuff online lately, but i'm really getting into that old money aesthetic - even if I have neither the money nor the lineage lol!

I think you’re right that in time, one might tire of the skeletal Zenith. But when that happens, the Santos will be so scratched that you’ll probably no longer want to wear it

I think Zenith makes better watches overall…. BUT with that being said, I don’t ever see myself owing one. The Santos is actually on my very short next to purchase list. I love everything about it, so I guess there’s my answer. Thank you for the hard work you do Bruce! Awesome quality as usual. God bless

I would go for the Zenith.

Eye crapping 🤣 Hope you and your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Bruce

There are so many factors that go into such a decision for me. I've tried on Bruce's Zenith Defy Skeleton and it's really amazing on wrist. I wanted to mug him for it, but someone was watching. :-) I agree that trying them on is the right choice. For me, I admire Cartier, but I don't feel love for them. My wife loves her Tank Francaise, and Cartier makes beautiful watches - even with her white dial, it's just amazing and sparkles in the light. They just don't fit my personal style (or lack thereof). Me, I'm a flannel and blue jeans kind of guy. My dressiest watches are Zenith A386 and a Breguet Type XX. Every time I try to talk myself into a "dressy" sport model, I realize it would likely get limited wrist time because I'll be throwing on a flannel shirt and down vest and trekking into the wilderness. Thus, I mostly go for watches that are a little more rugged, even if they're elegantly rugged like the Type XX. I think the hardest thing for me was to find my niche and live there. But that dial on the blue Cartier, I just want someone around me to have one so I can appreciate it from time to time!

Zenith all the way I love the story about Charles Vermot hiding the tools and plans to the El primero movement 👌 that man is a HERO. It's just so kool having that story attached to Zenith. It makes the watch feel very special. I plan to add a Zenith type 20 Flyback pilot watch to the collection or a Zenith Rainbow 🌈 which is probably the best bang for buck Zenith to date 📅

You mainly structured collection scenarios by color. I think in this particular case shape might be more important. Currently the collection misses elegant dressy watch. Although being initially designed like a sports watch, today Cartier Santos can easily occupy this “elegance” niche. Plus it can add a shape diversity to the collection.

This may offend some but I see Cartier as jewelery where I see Zenith as a watch.

Good morning Bruce what is your opinion of the blue dial Santos?

Beam me up to the future and I will have the answer to the question: which one is the "most eye-crapping decision" LOL. Now seriously, these dilemmas put us to the test and make us uncomfortable because they challenge our ability to reason well, our capacity to evaluate options based on common sense. These dilemmas defies us (no pun intended). But in the end we can only rely on our ability to judge right, it's our best tool, and the only we have. You presented very well the pros and cons of each one, nothing to add to what you have already said. But, if I were him I would try to sell the Tudor and the Oris and put some more money down to buy both, great watches. Nice to see your video, Bruce.

I'm glad that the watch community has heeded my comments on the pronunciation of 'defy'.

Zenith is beautiful and the defy classic is on my shortlist BUT if I owned the three mentioned watches, adding a dressier Santos would make sense. You can't go wrong with either.

The defy has such an incredible looking case and bracelet, and a great movement. Unfortunately for me the dial and hands are too bland for me. I never thought much about the Santos until Bruce and the You’re Terrific channel started talking about them, and now I am really debating about the Santos medium instead of the explorer that I have been talking to my AD about

For me, if its between watches that are close in price, I always go with the model that looks better. At the end of the day, you forget how good is the movement, how good is the value for money, you just look at your wrist and if you smile, you made the right choice.

A few years ago I was considering to own zenith el primero 21 because I thought that was it, that’s my dream watch and the first time I got to know santos I honestly didn’t like and care about the watch at all. Ironically, I guess my taste in watches has changed and I eventually bought the santos instead 😅 however, I really like my santos so much, one of my best decision I’ve made.

I've been fortunate enough to try both of these on (the Medium Santos and both versions of the Defy) and didn't buy either. Nice but didn't grab me. The skeleton just too much but that is entirely personal. Not sure I wouldn't tire of it. Which is fine if you are a Watch Experience kinda guy like Bruce but not if you buy them for the long term. The Santos for me is simply not enough in the movement for this price level. I ended up with a Grand Seiko Spring Drive in the 44GS case which in my opinion is far more watch than either of these and I love it. If Chris (cag438) is looking for something a bit special to add to the collection, then maybe IWC's Portugieser 40 Auto is worth a look. History, class, style and a fine and well-displayed movement. Or save some more pennies for a Laureato?

Love Zenith but not a fan of skeleton dials, no skeleton, all the way.

I think the Defy line has a bit too much of sister brand Hublot in them - so Cartier for me.

I crossed both the Defy and the Santos off my list when I had them on my wrist in the shop. You never know until you try them.

I’d say, Cartier is preferable.

the Santos with a grey dial. drop dead classy.

I really really like that Santos.

Hey Bruce, what do you think about 36mm Oris diver 65 for 6.25 inch wrist? Is it too small to pull off?

Neither of these a dive watch is needed only one of the watches he had is a sports watch. Either a diver or a chrono

I’m way late to the party but here’s my nickel’s worth: That Grand Seiko is easily the top watch in his collection. I very much like Zenith, I own one, however it’s a chronograph. The Defy is a very good watch when seen in person. If that was the watch decided upon, I’m not sure that Black Bay is getting much west time. Depending on which Defy I suppose. Either way, it’s a sport watch way on another level. If I bought the zenith, I’d think about pitching the BB personally - I say this because I’ve got two watches that get 98% of my wrist time. The Santos, that’s an interesting option. It’s a much different aesthetic from the Zenith. It’s arguably in yet another level. I find them so cool to look at, they are spectacular, but they don’t fit my style. Such a great watch. The OP, that could really dominate wrist time for a lot of people it’s such a combination of a sport watch with more formal cues such as the Roman numerals. Hard to imagine that not taking over the collection there. I’d pair that collection down to the GS and whichever he decided on at some point. Perhaps, a year later there’s mention of the final decision.

Zenith makes great watches and movements, but I think the Cartier's more traditional design will age much better based on the other watches in collection I see. The Cartier gets my vote!

You make the seiko 5 more desirable then the rest😄

The Cartier Santos resists 1200 Gauss. That is 200 more than a Rolex Milgauss. I don't know what the Zeniths properties are, but when getting into resistances like that I think we've got ourselves some pretty meticulous numbers. I think it might be safe to say that the Cartier might even have better Gauss resistance than the Zenith and you may have made a mistake with that one Bruce:)

Definitely Zenith, but for that collection, I'd want to add a Submariner, Seamaster or Speeedmaster.

I have the GS Snowflake and a Tag Heuer Carrera [160th anniversary silver dial]

End the cartier pasha seatimer?,

I vote for the Santos - classic elegance. It will be in style 100 years from now. I am not a fan of skeleton watches.

I have to make the similar decision. Defy Skyline is such a beautiful watch, waybetter than Defy Classic in looks, but Cartier has the history and brand recognition. Such a difficult choice. I liked Santos a lot earlier but then I saw Defy Skyline in real life and fell in love with the look of it.

interesting that people notice the Zenith which truth be told looks like any other sports watch especially to the non watch fan. the Cartier however is simply beautiful and the one that people notice when i'm wearing the santos de. one final point, whether it's GShock or Patek or Blancpain, that thing on your wrist also serves as jewelry so go for it and get the Cartier!

The Cartier. Classic and will never go out of style. ‘

Seiko 5 Sport is the best. It's so well-built and the proportions are impressive.

my vote for Zenith. This guy already got perfect dress watch ( Seiko) and perfect semi-dress watch ( Oris). So , let's double up on sports pieces ( Tudor + Zenith ).

Very tough question, Defy Zenith may made you looks special in the group, but I will have a Santo to please myself.

So instead of the usual get rich quick ads KZfaq actually prefaced my viewing of this video with... an ad for Cartier!! "Well, you start to sway, check your Cartier cause it's getting late, you can't afford to wait" (Electric Light Orchestra / ELO - 'Sweet is the Night')

Zenith , but I’m more into the flashy aesthetic, very fond of skeletons, the cartier santos is a bit dry looking in my opinion

These two watches couldn't be more different

ZENITH!

Sell the Tudor and get both the Cartier and Zenith.

You actually can have a complete collection if you control your desires and become happy with what you already have too. You need to live by the mindset of dividing watches into 3 categories: watches you don’t like or hate watches you can appreciate but never want to buy and watches or a watch that you aspire to buy in a future month or future year. I personally wouldn’t pick a Zenith or a Cartier unless Cartier re-released the Calibre Diver.

what I hate about the Cartier is the apple watch style strap that makes it feel like a toy with how easy it is to change out, the poor movement, and most importantly the fake sapphire on the crown. If I’m paying 8k for a watch either the sapphire should be real or it should be omitted. As far as the zenith goes I like it but I agree that it’s a bit out there for the collection he has and might not age well. I also think the titanium bracelets they make are a bit too industrial looking for my taste. Personally, the Defy el primero 21 on blue alligator strap is incredibly appealing to me but I also love the look of the Cartier. I don’t know if I’d spend 12 or 8k on either though.

I think the Cartier is dressier. The Zenith is more versatile and a horological masterpiece of a movement.

Seriouly?no need to sleep on it!Santos all the way!😍🥰😘🎁🎂🎊

Zenith for watch enthusiasts, Cartier for average person… Both are great watches, but for me Zenith is superb…

Anytime zenith as it is a proper watch manufacturer

Go with the pink Real Guilloche Dial Cartier the zenith won’t age well I promise you that in 5-10 years it won’t be a good look anymore if that’s what you plan on doing is having it for a long time I wouldn’t get that.

Bruce, why don't you ever answer the question when I ask you?

I like zenith more

Zenith!

Zenith speaks to me as more rugged, high-end horology, Swiss made timekeeping at it's best. Whereas, Cartier only speaks fashion runways and tuxedos. Zenith!

Cartier ONLY for the Santos.... That said, Zenith for the win.

Easy Cartier Medium...bye 👍🏾

I WOULD TAKE THE CARTIER

Neither. Christopher Ward is "wear" it's at these days. Have you seen their new Prototype watch that's setting the groundwork for their future watches?!?

Cartier de Santos skeleton for the win..

This question is easy. Omega.

Santos are for grownups

Neither, get a diver

I presume the person in question is a man, so Zenith.