Answer
A fake Cartier Tank Must Small is a counterfeit watch. It copies the case shape, dial layout, and strap of the Cartier Tank Must Small. Cartier does not make it. It has no Cartier warranty. Cartier service centers will not repair it. U.S. law bans import, sale, and distribution of counterfeit goods. Penalties include seizure, fines, and prison.
Genuine Cartier Tank Must Small specs
Cartier lists the Tank Must Small with a steel case. Dimensions: 29.5 mm by 22 mm. Thickness: 6.6 mm. Movement: quartz. Crystal: sapphire. Water resistance: 30 m. Crown: blue spinel cabochon. Dial: silvered opaline. Hands: blued-steel sword hands. Strap: leather or steel bracelet. The watch has a serial number and a reference number. The reference number changes by strap type.
Common flaws on fakes
Most fakes show defects at close range. Check these points.
fake cartier tank must small watch
- Case thickness: fakes run 7.5 mm to 9 mm. Genuine is 6.6 mm.
- Dial print: Roman numerals sit uneven. The Cartier logo has thick letters or wrong spacing.
- Hidden signature: the word Cartier in the numeral VII is missing or blurred on many fakes.
- Hands: blue color looks painted. Genuine hands are heat-blued steel.
- Crown: spinel looks plastic or too bright. Genuine spinel has a deep blue tone.
- Caseback: engraving is shallow. Serial numbers repeat on different fakes.
- Movement: quartz movement has no Cartier name.
- Strap: leather is stiff. Stitching is uneven. Buckle logo is off-center.
Legal risk in the United States
U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit watches at the border. The agency destroys seized goods. A buyer can lose the watch and the money. A seller can face criminal charges. Federal law sets penalties up to 10 years in prison and $2 million in fines for trafficking counterfeit goods. That applies to first offense for individuals. Civil lawsuits from Cartier owner Richemont can add damages and legal fees.
Fake Cartier Tank Must Small Gold: Buyer's QC Guide
Resale and service facts
A fake has no resale value at legitimate auction houses. Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips do not sell counterfeit watches. Pawn shops and reputable dealers reject them. Cartier will not service a counterfeit. Independent watchmakers can replace a battery or a strap. They cannot source Cartier parts for a fake. A genuine Tank Must Small holds value better than a fake. The gap widens over time.
What to do if you own a fake
Stop using it as a Cartier. Do not sell it as a Cartier. Do not import it. If you want a genuine Tank Must Small, buy from a Cartier boutique, an authorized dealer, or a reputable auction house. Ask for the box, papers, and service records. Verify the serial number with Cartier. A low price is the first sign. A genuine Tank Must Small sells for about $3,000 to $4,000 USD new. A fake sells for $50 to $300. That price gap is the main clue.