Head-to-Head Comparison

Updated September 5, 2026

Cartier Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) vs Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)

Two timepieces compared — $5,000–$10,000 vs $10,000–$25,000

Quick Verdict

The Cartier Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) ($5,000–$10,000) offers Cartier quartz precision in the tier below the Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) ($10,000–$25,000). The Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) measures Small model, about 35mm long and is rated 30m (3 ATM) per Cartier for the Américaine. The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) counters with Swiss Made craftsmanship and 100m (10 ATM) water resistance. Both are exceptional timepieces for their respective tiers.

CartierTank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold)$5,000–$10,000 Check price RolexDatejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)$10,000–$25,000 Check price

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Cartier

Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold)

$5,000–$10,000

Check Price Full Review

Rolex

Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)

$10,000–$25,000

Check Price Full Review

Specifications Compared

Feature	Cartier Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold)	Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)
Price	$5,000–$10,000	$10,000–$25,000
Case Size	Small model, about 35mm long	31mm
Movement	Quartz (Cartier small model)	Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135
Caliber Type	Cartier quartz	Rolex 2135, in-house automatic, chronometer
Power Reserve	Battery	About 42 hours
Water Resistance	30m (3 ATM) per Cartier for the Américaine	100m (10 ATM)
Crystal	Sapphire Crystal	Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops
Case Material	18k yellow gold, curved rectangular case	18k yellow gold, fluted bezel
Origin	Swiss Made	Swiss Made

Category-by-Category Analysis

🎨

Design & Aesthetics

Edge: Draw

Cartier's design language vs Rolex's approach

The Cartier Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) features a 18k yellow gold, curved rectangular case case at Small model, about 35mm long with Sapphire Crystal protection. The Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) offers 18k yellow gold, fluted bezel construction at 31mm with Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops. Both represent their brand's distinct design philosophy and heritage.

⚙️

Movement & Performance

Edge: Rolex

Quartz (Cartier small model) vs Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135

The Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) runs the Quartz (Cartier small model) (Cartier quartz, Battery power reserve) at standard frequency. The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) uses the Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135 (Rolex 2135, in-house automatic, chronometer, About 42 hours reserve) at standard. The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) offers a longer power reserve.

📏

Wearability & Fit

Edge: Rolex

Small model, about 35mm long vs 31mm — different wrist presence

At Small model, about 35mm long, the Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) has a bolder wrist presence compared to the Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) at 31mm. Water resistance differs: 30m (3 ATM) per Cartier for the Américaine vs 100m (10 ATM).

💰

Value & Cost of Ownership

Edge: Cartier

Cartier sits in the lower tier

The Cartier Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) sits at $5,000–$10,000 and the Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) at $10,000–$25,000. On the specs that outlast any price: the Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) uses Sapphire Crystal with Battery, against Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops and About 42 hours on the Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial). Service intervals are typically 5-7 years for both.

💧

Water Resistance

Edge: Rolex

30m (3 ATM) per Cartier for the Américaine vs 100m (10 ATM)

The Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) is rated to 30m (3 ATM) per Cartier for the Américaine while the Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) handles 100m (10 ATM). The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) offers superior water resistance.

Our Verdict

Cartier

Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold)

Choose the Cartier Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) if you prioritize Cartier quartz engineering, Swiss Made craftsmanship, and 30m (3 ATM) per Cartier for the Américaine water resistance. At $5,000–$10,000, it delivers Quartz (Cartier small model) with Battery power reserve.

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Rolex

Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial)

Choose the Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) if you value Rolex 2135, in-house automatic, chronometer technology, Swiss Made heritage, and 31mm proportions. At $10,000–$25,000, the Automatic, Rolex Calibre 2135 with About 42 hours power reserve makes it a compelling choice.

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The Bottom Line

The Cartier Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) and Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) represent two distinct approaches to the timepiece category — the Cartier bringing Swiss Made tradition while Rolex delivers Swiss Made engineering.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) is the better buy if you want a mechanical movement; the Cartier Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) is the better buy if you want quartz accuracy with no servicing. For water, the Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) is rated 100 m against 30 m, which is the difference between swimming and diving on one side and splashes on the other. On price, the Cartier Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) sits a band lower ($5,000–$10,000 against $10,000–$25,000), so it is the cheaper way into the category. Neither is better at everything; the spec table above shows movement, case size, water resistance and crystal side by side so you can weigh what matters to you. We do not test units, so this is the makers' data, not a bench result.

The Cartier Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) offers better upfront value, sitting a tier lower at $5,000–$10,000. However, the Rolex Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) may justify its premium with superior finishing, heritage, or resale value.

Both are suitable for daily wear. The Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) at Small model, about 35mm long with 30m (3 ATM) per Cartier for the Américaine water resistance handles everyday situations. The Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) at 31mm with 100m (10 ATM) is similarly capable. The Tank Américaine small model (18k yellow gold) uses Sapphire Crystal while the Datejust 31 68278 (18k yellow gold, white Roman dial) uses Sapphire Crystal, Cyclops.

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How This Page Was Made

Our comparisons are generated from a hand-maintained specification database and reviewed under our editorial standards. We use AI tools to assemble pages from that data. We don’t invent specs: every number traces back to the database, and when we correct an entry, the fix is applied site-wide. As an Amazon Associate, The Horologist earns from qualifying purchases.