Quick answer

A "fake Must de Cartier Tank" is a replica of the Cartier Tank Must, a steel quartz watch Cartier released in 2021. Genuine steel Tank Must models list between $3,050 and $3,700 USD. Replicas sell from $45 to $400. The price gap tracks three things: the movement, the case finish, and the dial printing.

The real watch

Cartier shipped the Tank Must in 2021 as a steel line. The large model measures 33.7 mm by 25.5 mm and 6.6 mm thick. It runs on a quartz movement. The dial carries Roman numerals, a chemin de fer minute track, and blued-steel sword hands. A sapphire cabochon sits in the crown. Cartier also made a SolarBeat version with a photovoltaic movement.

Replica tiers

  • Under $80: alloy case, mineral glass, printed dial, glued cabochon.
  • $80 to $180: 316L steel case, Japanese quartz, sapphire crystal on some units.
  • $180 to $400: closer case profile, applied numerals, screw-down caseback, cabochon set in metal.

Checks that separate tiers

  • Case size. Measure it. Replicas often run 1 mm to 2 mm wide of the genuine dimensions.
  • Thickness. The genuine large model is 6.6 mm. Many replicas sit at 8 mm or more.
  • Dial print. Roman numerals should be crisp. Check the spacing on the "VII" and the minute track.
  • Crown. Genuine crowns are fluted with a blue cabochon. Plastic cabochons look flat under light.
  • Caseback. Genuine steel Tank Must casebacks are engraved, not printed, and carry a serial and reference number.
  • Movement. Genuine is quartz. An automatic movement inside a "Tank Must" is a fake of a fake.

Legal position in the US

Counterfeit goods are illegal to sell or import in the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizes shipments at ports of entry and destroys the goods. 19 U.S.C. 1526 covers importation of merchandise bearing a counterfeit trademark. Buying for personal use carries less risk than selling, but the item can still be seized at the border.

Questions to ask a seller

  • Case diameter and thickness in millimeters.
  • Movement maker and caliber number.
  • Crystal material.
  • Strap material and buckle type.