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Cartier Santos 100 XL Gen VS Rep (Pic intensive)

aflop

Put Some Respect On My Name
22/5/13
4,125
203
63
Hi guys,

As part of my contribution to the forum, i always make a point to do comparisons or analysis of reps so we have more information on these boards. There's just too much taking of info and too little giving back!

I was lucky to be able to pick up a used Cartier Santos 100 XL for cheap and decided to do a quick comparison to my ultimate rep version:

A couple wrist shots to kick this off:
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My first thought was that the dial of the rep was just slightly duller than the pearl effect of the gen, pretty hard to describe but there is a slight difference there. However, this is impossible to detect unless you have a gen right next to it. Overall feel of the watch on the wrist is pretty spot on with the gen feeling just a bit more 'solid' and heavier.

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Case shape and size is very accurate and no complaints there.

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As expected the rep sapphire doesn't come close to gen and is much darker.

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The engravings on the caseback is where we start to see the difference, albeit slight. Fonts on the 2656 being the most obvious and the alignment of fonts are off but again who's gonna notice when it's on your wrist and without a gen to compare side by side?

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Also noted the caseback screws are more rounded then gen:
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The clasp has a few notable issues, mainly the rounded screws of the rep as compared to the flatter ones of the gen:

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The deployment clasp was well replicated apart from screw shapes which frankly shouldn't matter since it can't be seen when worn

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Engravings are sharper on the gen but at least the right fonts and sizes were used on the rep!

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One peeve was that the clasp was fit upside down vs the logo, obviously not a big issue but something that may not be fixed that easily. Not quite sure if it's unique to my piece so do let me know if that's the case for fellow owners. Basically when you don the strap the logo should be legible right way up to the wearer, then clasp should be closed inside then outside (not sure if I'm making sense here), but the rep was the other way around.

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Whilst the lug pins are pretty similar, the rep ones are of poor qc with one of mine coming in a different shape. Doesn't affect the functionality though.

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Construction of case between lugs were less sharp but did the job nonetheless.

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Lume was pretty spot on but the gen obviously lasted longer than the rep

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Summary:
All in all a fantastically replicated piece and truly deserving of a super rep status. Best bang for buck and the gen being something very affordable as well does not make this an easy call out on the wrist!

Hope you guys found the review helpful!
 

Chauncedeleon

You're Saying I Can Sell?
7/1/14
26
1
3
Can you share what dealer you got this from? Looks great!

im going through a dealer for a v6 factory made santos for 600. Seems steep....
 

velox

Put Some Respect On My Name
1/5/15
3,946
245
63
Thank you very much - always been interested in the Cartier´s but never knew the rep quality. Very nice :)
 

aflop

Put Some Respect On My Name
22/5/13
4,125
203
63
Can you share what dealer you got this from? Looks great!

im going through a dealer for a v6 factory made santos for 600. Seems steep....

It's readily available from any TD, justs ask for the ultimate version with 2656 engraved on the back.

There are 3 versions - the swiss version, the Asian movement on steel bracelet (some argue it's not ultimate, and bracelet is not interchangeable with the ultimate) and the Asian movement ultimate.

The last can be had for under 500 and is the best bang for buck!
 

Keylog74

Put Some Respect On My Name
14/6/13
3,849
1,679
113
Great writing up ! i agree that truly deserves the super rep status . also congrats on your gen ! we all be waiting for your rep to pop up on m2m :D rep points for you !
 

Luvwatch

Active Member
21/8/14
396
90
28
I just bought a two tone 2656 from Ts watches.
In my qc photos, the only thing I've noticed is that the strap that comes with the watch is 22mm at the lugs, but the gen is 23mm, and at the buckle the rep is 20mm and the gen is 21,therefore, it might be a problem installing an aftermarket strap.
I'm buying one in Amazon and hope I can squeeze 1mm as the rep straps are always crap.

Did you replace the strap?
How good is the rep quality on this one?
 

Capt_K

I'm Pretty Popular
5/5/14
1,524
1
0
Amazing review bro, been waiting for one of these. Thank you


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

aflop

Put Some Respect On My Name
22/5/13
4,125
203
63
I just bought a two tone 2656 from Ts watches.
In my qc photos, the only thing I've noticed is that the strap that comes with the watch is 22mm at the lugs, but the gen is 23mm, and at the buckle the rep is 20mm and the gen is 21,therefore, it might be a problem installing an aftermarket strap.
I'm buying one in Amazon and hope I can squeeze 1mm as the rep straps are always crap.

Did you replace the strap?
How good is the rep quality on this one?

Gen strap fits lugs with no issues. Only issue maybe lug holes and strap screw alignment which can be easily solved by widening the hole on the insert of the strap
 

Luvwatch

Active Member
21/8/14
396
90
28
Ok. Thanks so much for the info. I'll give it a try and upload some photos when I receive it.
 

Luvwatch

Active Member
21/8/14
396
90
28
Haven't been able to find a high quality non gen leather strap for the 38mm case.
Any idea where I could purchase one?
 

Fiveostang

Put Some Respect On My Name
6/11/12
5,027
36
48
Haven't been able to find a high quality non gen leather strap for the 38mm case.
Any idea where I could purchase one?

Timerepublic on eBay has some ok ones but our strap makers here can make them you just need to send them your rep strap so they can use the end pieces.
 

Fiveostang

Put Some Respect On My Name
6/11/12
5,027
36
48
[MENTION=64642]aflop[/MENTION] I think the rep engravings look cleaner than the gen engravings lol
 

Chauncedeleon

You're Saying I Can Sell?
7/1/14
26
1
3
It's readily available from any TD, justs ask for the ultimate version with 2656 engraved on the back.

There are 3 versions - the swiss version, the Asian movement on steel bracelet (some argue it's not ultimate, and bracelet is not interchangeable with the ultimate) and the Asian movement ultimate.

The last can be had for under 500 and is the best bang for buck!

im having a hard time finding a nice one from the dealer's websites. can you share who you got yours from? Your watch looks awsome. thanks!
 

malnajjar

You're Saying I Can Sell?
3/2/15
45
0
6
Hi

can i as is there any available ultimate reps in smaller sizes ?
 

Luvwatch

Active Member
21/8/14
396
90
28
Thanks mate, just purchased the straps in eBay. Hope they'll fit well.

Cheers