A fake Cartier Tank Must sold as yellow gold has a gold plated case. It is not 18k. A genuine gold case carries a "750" stamp and a French or Swiss hallmark. The density gap is the fastest test: 18k gold runs near 15.5 g/cm3, steel near 7.85 g/cm3, so two cases of equal size cannot weigh the same.
What the Tank Must Is
Cartier launched the Tank Must in 2021 and retired the Tank Solo in the same move. The line sits below the Tank Louis Cartier and the Tank Francaise. Most Tank Must watches sold are steel with a quartz movement. Cartier also lists the model in 18k yellow gold.
fake cartier tank must yellow watch
- Large: 33.7 mm by 25.5 mm, 6.6 mm thick
- Small: 29.5 mm by 22 mm
- Movement: quartz, so rate accuracy says nothing about origin
- Dial: Roman numerals, crystal type varies by reference
- Crown: faceted blue synthetic spinel cabochon set in gold
Checks That Separate Plating From 18k
- Hallmark. Look at the caseback and the inner lugs for "750", the eagle head, or a Swiss hallmark. Plated copies carry none, or carry a laser-etched "750" with no depth.
- Weight. Plated brass is lighter than steel. Plated steel is close to steel. Neither matches 18k.
- Edge wear. Plating runs 1 to 5 microns. Rub marks on lugs and caseback edges show yellow metal over grey metal.
- Crown. Genuine cabochons are faceted, set flush, and blue. Copies use a glass or plastic dome, often glued above the crown line.
- Engraving. Cartier stamps the reference and serial. Copies etch with a laser, so edges look soft and shallow.
- Dial print. A hidden "Cartier" sits inside the numeral VII on some references. Confirm per reference before treating it as a rule.
- Strap and bracelet. Copies ship generic. Genuine gold bracelets have solid 18k links with hallmarks on the clasp.
What Photos Cannot Prove
No photo shows gold purity. An XRF scan or an acid test on a hidden surface gives the answer. Ask for a hallmark photo, the caseback reference, and a scale reading before money moves.