The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is a high-end timepiece appealing to watch enthusiasts, while the Cartier Love Bracelet is a luxury jewelry piece favored for its symbolic value and elegant design. The choice depends on whether the user is looking for a functional watch with intricate mechanics or a timeless piece of jewelry with sentimental significance.
| Attribute | Audemars Piguet Royal Oak | Cartier Love Bracelet |
|---|---|---|
| Brand Reputation | Prestigious Swiss manufacturer of luxury watches, founded in 1875. The Royal Oak is considered the brand's most popular watch. | Prestigious luxury jewelry brand known for exceptional craftsmanship and iconic designs |
| Model Year | 1972 | 1969 |
| Case Material | Stainless steel, gold (yellow, rose, and white), ceramic, titanium, and forged carbon. Some models also feature gem-set cases. | 18k yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold. Early versions featured gold plating, but more recent designs use solid gold or platinum, though platinum has been discontinued. |
| Movement Type | Automatic and quartz movements. Automatic movements include Calibre 2121, Calibre 4302, Calibre 5900, Calibre 2385, Calibre 4401, and Calibre 3120. | Not applicable (not a time-keeping device) |
| Case Size | 33mm, 34mm, 36mm, 37mm, 38mm, 39mm, 41mm, 42mm, 43mm, and 44mm | Classic: 6.1mm width; Small: 3.65mm width, 16mm diameter |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters or 100 meters | Generally acceptable to wear gold Love bracelets in the pool. However, some Love bracelets contain stones that could be damaged by water. |
| Bracelet/Strap Material | Stainless steel, gold, ceramic, titanium, leather, and rubber | 18k gold (yellow, white, or rose) |
| Dial Color | Black, white, blue, grey, green, and silver. Some dials feature the "Grande Tapisserie" pattern. | Not applicable (not a time-keeping device) |
| Gemstone Type | Diamonds on the case, dial, and bracelet (on some models) | Diamonds, sapphires, garnets, and amethysts |
| Clasp Type | AP folding clasp | Unique locking mechanism with two functional screws, requiring a special screwdriver to open and close. Some models have a hinge and a single functional screw. |
| Warranty Period | Varies depending on the specific watch and seller | 24 months from the purchase date against manufacturing defects, extendable up to 8 years with Cartier Care registration |
| Price Range | USD $20,000 to USD $415,000. Stainless steel models may start around $25,000 - $50,000, while gold and complicated models can range from $60,000 to over $150,000. | New: $4,750 to $62,000; Pre-owned: as little as $4,050. Classic bangle LOVE bracelet price range: $4,450 - $62,000. Other LOVE bracelets' price range: $1,790 - $8,950. |
| Scratch Resistance | Stainless steel and gold cases are prone to scratches, but sapphire crystal watch face and ceramic cases are scratch-resistant. | Susceptible to scratches |
| Value Retention | Strong value retention and appreciation (particularly for stainless steel sports references) | Luxury items tend to hold their value over time, and in some cases, even appreciate in value. The average resale value has remained steady at 69% over the last five years, and has increased to 71% over the past six months. |