I'm not surprised that you're not finding much online, because these are not really particularly desirable for collectors. They were budget entry-level watches sold by Cartier at the time, to capitalize on their brand. As such, everything about them is pretty cheaply made; the plating is thin and often wears badly.

There are definitely a lot of fakes, but it's not always so easy to tell at first glance, because the authentic ones are also pretty cheap looking. If you study the fonts and the engravings, you will learn to tell the difference, and that's what I'd recommend.

Quartz movements can last a pretty long time, but they do fail eventually, and sometimes they are destroyed by leaking batteries. When that happens, repairs are not really cost-effective, and one generally looks to replace the entire movement with something equivalent.

Edit: All that said, they sell for surprising prices. People really want the Cartier name.

 

Women prefer quartz. No having to wind the watch every day

Hidden sig looks to be in the X number. Pictures too small and no idea if real or fake

Need to find a real one and compare backs and dial images

DON

 

The hidden signature is - as it is in most Cartiers that I have seen - in the "V" of the "VII".

Hartmut Richter

 

Thanks for the responses! Here is a close up of the dial and movement of the watch with the brown strap. Seller is reputable and the watch seems to be in better condition than the one with the black strap.

Only concern is that there’s no hidden Cartier signature. Seems like everything else checks out though?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Ah, I see - I was looking at the watch on the right in the initial post (which does have the signature in the VII). As for the movement, it is a common but decent ETA 2512 (so it is Swiss) which is what I have seen in most "must de Cartier" watches so far.

bidfun-db Archiv: Uhrwerke: ETA 2512

www.ranfft.de

Hartmut Richter

 

Great watches! All this "cheaply made & low quality" is a bs. You're getting solid silver watch made by Cartier, unfortunately gold plated. And unfortunately these are not well documented and there are many fakes. So if you would research them and document them you would do all of us a great favor.

I personally would go for a quartz, just because at the moment most "serious collectors" hate quartz and there is no second hand so visually it's doesn't matter. Cartier used high quality jeweled quartz movements and yes they will run accurately forever. Obviously these might need service or even parts replacement from time to time, but not even close to how often those "desirable" mechanical movements would need service and parts.

You can bring the watch you want to buy to Cartier for a battery replacement. If they see it's a fake they will refuse the service. Obviously you want to be a better authenticity expert then them, they do mistakes, but it's something.

 

Great watches! All this "cheaply made & low quality" is a bs. You're getting solid silver watch made by Cartier, unfortunately gold plated. And unfortunately these are not well documented and there are many fakes. So if you would research them and document them you would do all of us a great favor.

I personally would go for a quartz, just because at the moment most "serious collectors" hate quartz and there is no second hand so visually it's doesn't matter. Cartier used high quality jeweled quartz movements and yes they will run accurately forever. Obviously these might need service or even parts replacement from time to time, but not even close to how often those "desirable" mechanical movements would need service and parts.

Haha ... no more drunk posting for you!

 

I found this model in a junk lot with quartz movement and the silver case is of excellent quality but someone had replaced the movement with a cheap French one... What a bummer.

 

The Must de Cartier Tank Vermeil is a classic with variations in reference numbers, dial signatures, and movements (quartz or mechanical). The hidden Cartier signature is often found under the numeral XII, though some earlier models may lack it. Quartz versions require less maintenance but lack the traditional charm of hand-wound models. When purchasing, focus on the watch's condition, check the serial number for authenticity, and verify the movement type. The Must de Cartier Tank on EBTH is a good example, offering a well-maintained quartz option. Always make sure to buy from trusted sources to avoid fakes.

 

What a wonderful automated tribute to one of the crappiest vintage watches.

 

AI BOT