Launched back in 1977 by Alain Dominique Perrin, the line "Les Must de Cartier" was an ingenious way for the Maison to fight the rising competition, especially coming from Japan.
When buying a Tank Must de Cartier, you should consider some differences across the various models produced and be sure that you are picking the right one for you!
The Caliber
While the earlier versions in the 80's came with a Hand Wound Caliber, the latest models come powered with a Quartz Caliber.
What you should know:
The hand wound caliber has a power reserve of two days. It means that you will have to manually wind it every two days to charge the power reserve. If you are an horology enthusiast, you might consider it important to have a mechanical watch.
Illustration of the mechanical Cartier Caliber
On the other hand, if you seek convenience, the Quartz powered Tank only requires a battery change once every 3 years, and the cost of maintenance is incredibely low (around 20€ for a battery change).
The Size
The Tank Must de Cartier came in two size:
- Women's/Small
The case measures 20x28mm (excluding crown)
- Unisex/Men's : Medium
The case measures 23x30mm (excluding crown)
Regardless of your choice you can't go wrong with a Must de Cartier Tank, it's a timeless timepiece! Here below is a recap of the elements to consider when deciding which Tank Must de Cartier to choose.
Buyer's tips :
You will have to be careful with the aging of the gold plating, specially at the four corners of the case. Make sure that it is not missing gold...which would be (aesthetically meaning) ... a deal-breaker.
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