30th Birthday - Watch or Diamond Pendant

[Lahey]

Greetings! I wanted to ask the opinion of this group on a birthday gift for my wife's upcoming 30th. I am torn between whether to get her a nice watch or a nice piece of jewelry. I was dead set on getting her a Cartier Tank Francaise (for those who aren't familiar: http://www.bernardwatch.com/image/archive/CAR243.JPG), but then I thought maybe a nice diamond pendant necklace would be nice.

I've never bought her much jewelry, so she doesn't have a lot (nor does she have a watch). The thing I like about the watch is that it's such an elegant piece that she could literally wear it every day for the rest of her life. But, I think the same could be said for a simple diamond pendant necklace. So, I'm asking for everyone's advice: if you didn't have a watch or much jewelry, would you rather have a the Cartier or a diamond pendant necklace? The watch is basically $4k, so that's how much I would spend on the diamond / necklace.

Thank you all for your help / advice / opinions!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Separately, I just realized that I never got around to posting pictures of my wife's engagement ring. I planned to post pictures after she said yes, but I guess I quickly became busy planning the wedding. After all the great advice I received from all of you, I certainly owe these to you:

Since I know you love specs:
3.01 G VS2, Ideal Cut
Vatche setting

 

[LLJsmom]

Now that I see her e-ring...WATCH. The Cartier would be gorgeous. Finish that left hand for her.

Save that pendant for her 31st b-day...

 

[MissGotRocks]

Wow - her ring is gorgeous! Do you have any hand shots of it?

A watch or pendant would be lovely - a watch may be more practical and the one you've selected is beautiful. Does she want to wear a watch?

 

[Lahey]

^^ thanks for your suggestions!

I don't have any hand shots, but I'll see if I can get her to take one.

 

[baby monster]

Another vote for the watch. I've worn my cartier watch for the past 11 years pretty much daily.

 

[EHR2009]

WATCH!!! I LOVE my Cartier Tank. It is so elegant, and it will look great with her ering. I diamond for $4000 to use for a pendant may seem underwhelming compared to her gorgeous 3 ct ering!

 

[Lahey]

thanks for everyone's opinions.

WATCH!!! I LOVE my Cartier Tank. It is so elegant, and it will look great with her ering. I diamond for $4000 to use for a pendant may seem underwhelming compared to her gorgeous 3 ct ering!

I'm leaning towards the watch as well. I never thought I'd say that a Cartier watch has a lot of bang per buck, but relative to a $4k necklace, I think it does.

 

[fogdancer]

her ring is amazing, I would choose a pendant with a nice meaning

 

[m-2-b]

I would say Cartier TF would be a better gift out of the 2 choices. My other thought would be a WF 3 prong tennis bracelet!

 

[Lahey]

I would say Cartier TF would be a better gift out of the 2 choices. My other thought would be a WF 3 prong tennis bracelet!

interesting idea on the tennis bracelet. can I get a decent one for $4k?

 

[m-2-b]

I would say Cartier TF would be a better gift out of the 2 choices. My other thought would be a WF 3 prong tennis bracelet!

interesting idea on the tennis bracelet. can I get a decent one for $4k?

A WF tennis bracelet has been on my wish list for quite some time--I like to be able to see my bling when I'm wearing it! Here's a 3ctw WF 3 prong tennis bracelet that is close to your budget (ask for wire price and repeat customer discount):
http://www.whiteflash.com/diamond-bracelets/three-prong-diamond-tennis-bracelet-507.htm
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-tennis-bracelet.162030/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/new-tennis-bracelet.162030/[/URL]

There is also a 4ctw one if you can stretch your budget a little further!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Gosh, you did very well with the e-ring!!!!

I think a pendant that small would be out of proportion to the engagement ring. I'd want at least a 1 ct diamond for a pendant if the e-ring is over 2 cts, and I think larger would be better with a 3 ct ring. So I'd scratch that idea for now and get her a larger diamond pendant or 4-5 ct tennis bracelet for an anniversary.

So yes to the Tank Francaise. Go for the midsize unless she is really tiny. I got one this past Christmas!

 

[momhappy]

I have the Tank and love it, so I vote for the watch

 

[AprilBaby]

The watch!!!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Think I seen the Cartier watch at my local Costco.

 

[Lahey]

Gosh, you did very well with the e-ring!!!!

I think a pendant that small would be out of proportion to the engagement ring. I'd want at least a 1 ct diamond for a pendant if the e-ring is over 2 cts, and I think larger would be better with a 3 ct ring. So I'd scratch that idea for now and get her a larger diamond pendant or 4-5 ct tennis bracelet for an anniversary.

So yes to the Tank Francaise. Go for the midsize unless she is really tiny. I got one this past Christmas!

thanks for the comments/thoughts. I think this is roughly where I'm coming out - seems like with a budget of only a few thousand the watch is probably the right move (definitely going for the midsize btw).

I will definitely keep the diamond pendant on the list for future occasions, but this thread has kind of piqued my interest on the tennis bracelet. that looks like a beautiful piece that might be the ticket for the next big occasion.

thanks all!!

 

[Lahey]

as promised, I snapped a quick photo of the e-ring. not a great picture (iPhone), and she usually wears the wedding bands on either side, but she was about to take it off to go clean it.

thanks again for everyone's help (not just with this birthday gift, but with the ring itself).

 

[VRBeauty]

Another vote for the watch!