Must de Cartier Tank - Tortoiseshell Dial

The 'Must de Cartier' Tank watch, introduced in the 1970s, is a specific variant of the Cartier Tank. The model distinguishes itself by the 'Must de Cartier' inscription on the dial.

The term 'Must de Cartier' was used as a brand name and marketing strategy to increase the accessibility of Cartier products. It was a way for Cartier to offer watches and accessories at a more affordable price while remaining faithful to Cartier's high quality standards and distinctive design.

The 'Must de Cartier' Tank watch was a great success and became very popular in the 1970s. The model retained the classic rectangular design of the original Cartier Tank and was manufactured in various versions, including stainless steel, gold-plated, and with a choice of different dial variants.

The Must de Cartier Tank watch we have here features the so-called 'tortoiseshell' dial. The name is due to the texture of the dial, resembling the shell of a tortoise. This dial is also compared to a 'wood dial' because of its brown woody color. What's special about the dial is that it changes from almost black to a color mixed with dark brown and burgundy red when viewed from different angles under light. In our opinion, it's a true eye-catcher! Since many Tank Must line dials are lacquered, over the years, a craquelure develops, creating a 'spider dial' effect. There's a very tiny spot in the middle of the dial where the lacquer is missing (barely noticeable to the naked eye and not considered bothersome). Under the 23 x 30 mm gold-plated case you will find the hand-wound ETA 2512-1 movement, which has been serviced. The gold-plated case of this vintage Cartier Tank Must is still in good condition, with the gold remaining intact with some acceptable fading on the corners and some scratches on the case back which become visible only from a certain angle. We've paired this beautiful vintage Cartier Tank with a dark brown handmade lizard leather strap, perfectly complementing the dial. This vintage Must de Cartier Tank with tortoiseshell dial comes with a 1-year warranty from 10 over 10.

What you need to know:
- Beautiful unique tortoiseshell dial with some craquelure / spider dial effect
- Dial has a small spot in the center where lacquer is missing (barely noticeable to the naked eye and not considered bothersome)
- 18K gold-plated case intact with slight acceptable fading on the corners
- Large model (23 x 30 mm)
- Comes with a new dark brown handmade lizard leather strap (without Cartier buckle)
- Movement serviced
- 1-year mechanical warranty
- Free insured shipping within the EU

The Cartier Tank

Cartier Tank The Cartier Tank watch is one of the most iconic timepieces in the history of haute horlogerie. The Tank was first introduced in 1917 and quickly became a timeless symbol of style and elegance.

The story behind the Cartier Tank watch begins with Louis Cartier, the founder of Cartier. He was inspired by the tanks used during World War I. The sleek lines and shapes of the tanks piqued his interest, and he decided to translate them into a watch design.

In 1917, the first Cartier Tank watch was introduced. The model distinguished itself with its rectangular case with rounded corners, reminiscent of the shape of a tank. The Tank featured a simple dial with Roman numerals and blue steel hands. It was a radical design for its time, as most watches of that era had round cases.

The Cartier Tank watch quickly gained popularity among the high society and celebrities, including style icons like Jacqueline Kennedy, Andy Warhol, and Princess Diana. The watch was considered a symbol of refinement and class.