Is my quartz Cartier Tank actually worth something?

Yes. Cartier is design-led, and quartz Tanks — including Must de Cartier models — are having a genuine moment. Don't let anyone dismiss it as 'just quartz'.

Should I sell my gold Cartier to a gold buyer instead?

Almost never. Gold buyers pay metal weight; watch dealers pay for the watch. On Cartier the difference can be enormous. Get watch offers first — you can always take the scrap route later.

How do dealers spot a fake Cartier?

Case and dial finishing, hallmarks, serial engraving quality, movement details and the feel of the crown. Registered dealers handle these daily — submitting yours costs nothing and settles it quickly.

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Paris, France · est. 1847

Sell your Cartier.

The jeweller who invented the modern wristwatch. Tanks and Santos models are bid on fiercely.

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Models we're looking for

Another Cartier model? Submit it anyway — this list is where demand is strongest, not where it ends.

The Cartier story

Louis-François Cartier founded the Paris jewellery house in 1847, and his grandson Louis created what is widely considered the first purpose-built men's wristwatch — the Santos of 1904, designed so aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont could read the time while flying. The Tank followed in 1917, its lines inspired by the Renault tanks of the Western Front, and it has never left production: a design so complete that a century of watchmaking hasn't improved on it.

Cartier is the rare brand whose watches are fashion, jewellery and horology at once — 'the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers'. The current collector wave around shaped watches has pushed Tank, Santos, Panthère and Crash values to new levels worldwide, and that demand flows straight through to the South African second-hand market.

What moves the price

Gold and two-tone Cartier holds value on metal content alone — but collector demand usually beats scrap value comfortably. Never sell a Cartier for its gold weight without getting watch offers first.
Quartz Cartier is genuinely valuable — unlike most brands, the movement matters less than the design and condition.
Original deployant buckles and crowns (with their sapphire or spinel cabochons) matter to the price.
Ladies' models are a strength here — Cartier's ladies' market is as strong as its men's, which is rare.

Selling your Cartier: common questions

Is my quartz Cartier Tank actually worth something?: Yes. Cartier is design-led, and quartz Tanks — including Must de Cartier models — are having a genuine moment. Don't let anyone dismiss it as 'just quartz'.
Should I sell my gold Cartier to a gold buyer instead?: Almost never. Gold buyers pay metal weight; watch dealers pay for the watch. On Cartier the difference can be enormous. Get watch offers first — you can always take the scrap route later.
How do dealers spot a fake Cartier?: Case and dial finishing, hallmarks, serial engraving quality, movement details and the feel of the crown. Registered dealers handle these daily — submitting yours costs nothing and settles it quickly.

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