Pawning a Cartier watch can be an innovative and flexible way to unlock capital from a luxury asset, while still retaining ownership of your cherished timepiece. Cartier is renowned worldwide for crafting watches that bring together elegance, technical excellence, and timeless design. These qualities ensure they’re highly sought after in the pre-owned and pawnbroking markets.
Choosing to take out a loan on a Cartier watch, rather than selling it outright, means you can manage short-term expenses or pursue new opportunities without needing to part with a valuable heirloom or statement piece permanently. Quite often, it means you can access money that day, and without the onerous terms associated with unsecured loans.
Of course, the most essential part of that equation is having the right watch. Here is a list of the top 10 Cartier watches that luxury pawnshops love to see.
Listen to our podcast episode on the most appreciated Cartier timepieces at high-end pawnshops:
1. Cartier Tank
The Cartier Tank is a prime choice for pawning because it offers unrivalled versatility and instant brand recognition. Created in 1917 by Louis Cartier and inspired by the silhouette of WWI Renault tanks, the model has adorned the wrists of icons ranging from Andy Warhol to Princess Diana.
Secondary market prices in the UK for the Tank Française typically hover between £3,400 and £7,000 for stainless steel, rising to more than £ 13,000 for gold or highly desirable vintage examples. The minimalist design and heritage credentials of the Tank make it a favourite among pawnbrokers and collectors alike, with both classic and contemporary variations holding strong value.
The watch’s prevalence in pop culture and association with tastemakers only elevate its standing even further, ensuring it remains easy to appraise and highly sought after on the pre-owned market. Selling or pawning a CartierTank is often a seamless process, with quick offers and a wide audience always awaiting the opportunity to acquire one.
Of course, fetching the best price involves presenting the original paperwork and box. This can boost your offer significantly, especially for early or limited editions. Additionally, refinishing the case can impact its value; a completely unpolished Tank often garners the highest bids.
2. Cartier Santos
Blending sporty utility with refined elegance, the Cartier Santos dates back to 1904 as the world’s original pilot’s watch, created for aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont.
Its square case, exposed screws, and various editions, from the classic Galbée to dramatic Skeletons, make it instantly recognisable and deeply collectable. In the secondary UK market, Santos models move briskly, ranging from approximately £2,400 for smaller steel references to £13,000 and above for solid gold and intricately skeletonised varieties. Full gold or earlier steel/gold combinations can translate into larger loans, while matching bracelet links or unique clasps can raise the price. If you want to raise collateral with your Cartier Santos, bringing every original accessory helps maximise value.
The model’s historical pedigree and continuous evolution keep interest high among enthusiasts. Its straightforward authentication and robust resale demand make it an ideal asset for short-term loans. The Cartier Santos has also achieved “icon” status, making it one of the safest bets for pawning or buybacks, with speedy valuations and liquidity assured.
3. Cartier Ballon Bleu
The Ballon Bleu is Cartier’s most successful contemporary offering, famed for its smooth lines, unique crown guard, and unmistakable sapphire cabochon. Since its 2007 debut, it has become a top choice for men and women alike, often spotted on the arms of British royals and A-listers.
Pre-owned steel models in the UK start at around £4,850 and can exceed £10,000 or more, depending on size and movement. Examples with precious metals and complications can command a higher price.
If you want to take a loan out against a Cartier Ballon Bleu, know that pristine cosmetic condition with an intact sapphire crystal ensures premium offers. Additionally, size impacts value, so always clarify if you have the larger 42mm, the universally popular 36mm, or a diamond-set version, as these fetch different rates.
The Ballon Bleu is beloved for its wearable elegance and comfort, making it a familiar face in both boutiques and pawn shop windows. Its enduring popularity delivers strong offers and rapid loan approvals, with the added reassurance that demand regularly outpaces supply on the secondary market.
4. Cartier Panthère
The Panthère de Cartier is much more than a timepiece; it’s a statement piece of jewellery with a design lineage that stretches back to 1983 and beyond. The articulated brick-lay bracelet and square case embody luxurious 1980s glamour, and collectors fiercely covet both original models and newer reissues.
The Panthère’s bracelet is its strongest value driver: tight, undamaged links can result in a significantly higher appraisal, while heavy stretch or wear can significantly lower values. For models set with diamonds, always present a gem report or proof of authenticity.
Secondary prices range dramatically, with vintage and gold references commanding £4,000 to £12,000 or even higher with diamond embellishments. Pawn shops value the Panthère for its dual appeal as both a watch and a fashion icon because it’s easy to authenticate, liquid, and in constant demand. If you’re considering pawning a Cartier piece, the Panthère’s unique position in the market offers standout loan values and an unmistakable touch of class.
5. Cartier Crash
The Crash is a legend shrouded in mystery and exclusivity. Introduced in London in 1967 and uniquely styled after a watch damaged in a car accident, it has since become a symbol of Cartier’s boundary-pushing creativity.
Original English Crash watches are among the rarest and most valuable in the world, often selling at auction for upward of £100,000 and even more for pristine pieces with provenance. The surreal design and extreme scarcity make the Crash a “trophy” pawn for both brokers and collectors, ensuring white-glove treatment and expert authentication. For those fortunate enough to own one, borrowing against a Crash is like leveraging a piece of horological art, with loan values to match.
6. Cartier Tortue Minute Repeater
The Tortue Minute Repeater embodies the pinnacle of technical artistry from Cartier. Introduced as early as 1912, its distinctive tonneau (barrel) case marries early 20th-century style with mechanical excellence in highly limited quantities.
On the UK market, antique or complication-rich Tortue models attract prices in excess of £30,000, while rarer examples far exceed that. What sets the Tortue apart is its combination of rarity, sophisticated movement, and strong brand recognition. Collectors pay a premium for low-production serials, unique complications, or early-century models, which is something to remember if you want to pawn your Cartier Tortue Minute Repeater.
For pawnbrokers, a Tortue minute repeater is a flagship item, with detailed appraisals and significant loan offers reserved for examples in immaculate condition, accompanied by complete documentation.
7. Cartier Pasha
The Pasha holds a special place in Cartier’s range. Originally conceived as a custom waterproof watch for the Pasha of Marrakesh in the 1940s, the contemporary version was launched in 1985 and is famed for its grid dial, chained crown, and sporty elegance.
Modern steel versions in the UK command prices of £3,000 and above, while precious metal and vintage variants see prices climb well past £10,000. Its strong collector following and iconic design cues make Pasha an easy sell for brokers. The model’s enduring appeal is boosted by regular reissues, resulting in high liquidity. For female Pasha models, diamond bezels or mother-of-pearl dials add desirability, but you can raise collateral against any Cartier Pasha model.
8. Cartier Roadster
A discontinued but perennially stylish model, the Cartier Roadster channels classic sports car aesthetics with unforgettable bold curves and interchangeable straps.
Steel Roadster models fetch between £3,500 and £7,000, while limited editions, especially in precious metals, can demand even more.
The watch’s unique, automotive-inspired look and solid Cartier build quality make it very popular with collectors seeking something different from the classic Tank or Santos. Roadsters consistently perform well for pawnbrokers because they’re easy to value, rapidly resold, and have a cult following. Well-kept chronograph versions stand out, and often the best Cartier watches to pawn.
9. Cartier Ronde Solo
The Ronde Solo stands as the accessible entry into classic Cartier prestige. It features a round case, a crisp guilloché dial, and Roman numerals that provide instant recognition.
It’s an enduring favourite among first-time collectors and seasoned Cartier fans alike. Prices in the UK market generally range from £2,200 to £5,500, with older or rarer variants achieving more depending on condition.
Early production Solos or variants with precious metal cases get better offers, while regular servicing is a strong indicator of a watch’s value. The Ronde Solo’s broad collector base ensures faster, smoother loans for those pawning in excellent condition. In other words, pawning a Cartier Ronde Solo is as grand as the timepiece itself.
10. Cartier Baignoire
With its elegant “bathtub” form first introduced in 1912, the Baignoire is a testament to Cartier’s capacity for design innovation and refinement. Both classic and modern versions frequently command between £5,500 and £14,000 on the secondary market, especially when crafted in gold or set with diamonds.
Long-admired by style icons, the Baignoire’s oval case is considered both feminine and audacious, making it a perennial favourite for fashion-conscious collectors. Pawnbrokers are always interested in Baignoire models due to their rich history and enduring desirability. Finally, if you want to pawn your Cartier Baignoire watch, presenting it with its original French paperwork or boutique invoice can lead to higher appraisals.
