From the beginning of production around 1976 to the mid-1980s, the Must Tank series included hand-wound models.
After that, it will be replaced with a battery-powered one.
Like the LM size that I wrote about in my last blog, there is almost no difference in appearance.
However, for women, hand-wound watches may be surprisingly unfamiliar.

I think everyone knows that battery-powered watches are powered by batteries, but
Hand-wound and automatic watches are powered by a mainspring rather than a battery.
It's easy to understand if you imagine a wind-up toy!
A hand-wound watch operates in much the same way as that.
Some customers shy away from hand-wound watches, perhaps because they are a bit too mechanical.
For us, we feel attached to the fact that it doesn't move unless you wrap it yourself.
We actively recommend hand-wound watches to women.
However, this time I would like you to know the slightly maniacal difference even though it is the same hand-wound must tank.
I would like to write about the must-have tanks that are currently available in stores.

These two items, which are also listed in the product section, are
Most of the parts on the right are the same as they were back then.
I got an unused dial as a part, so I'm replacing it.





The image is a little distorted because I took a close-up shot with a macro lens, but
SWISS is written on the 6 o'clock side and the hands are black.
On the 7 o'clock side, there is a "CARTIER" logo, which has been called a secret sign since the early 1980s to prevent counterfeit products.

In this generation, not everything has a secret signature, so some must-have tanks are not included.
Even small details like this seem like a long-established brand!
By the way, it says that the dial is unused,
It's really rare to get parts like this separately.
Moreover, the dial of old Cartier watches was prone to cracking, so
It feels good to have replaced the parts with clean ones!

Next, the one on the left comes with a lifetime guarantee that Cartier's complete service is free forever.
Cartier replaces small parts such as the inner mechanism and dial with new ones.
Well, from the looks of it, it's in such beautiful condition that you could mistake it for a new item.

I also took a close-up photo of this with a macro lens.
SWISS MADE is printed on the 6 o'clock side of the dial.
This notation will be applied to new products as well when the dial is replaced in later years.
The hands are originally black, but when replaced they become steel blue.
And the secret sign is on the 10 o'clock side!!

Even with the same watch, the details will change depending on the model year and what kind of maintenance has been performed in later years.
Isn't this kind of fun?
It's a really trivial thing, but the fun of vintage watches is that even the same watch can differ.
Of course, like this time, the content of the service changes even if there is no permanent warranty,
The visible details are different, etc.
Even if they look the same at first glance, once you notice the differences, you'll start to fall in love with them all over again.
Even more so if it's a hand-wound watch.

I can understand the feeling of being overwhelmed when thinking about how to use and maintain a hand-wound watch.
We are here for those times, so please feel free to ask us if you have any questions!
If used correctly, watches around here rarely break.
There is no need to worry about maintenance.
The watches at that time were well made, so anyone can use them with confidence.

A watch is something that will definitely respond if you treat it with sincerity.
It is one of the few items that can be passed down for generations if treated with care.
I'm sure we're not the only ones who are somehow attracted to such things.
I believe that something that you are truly attached to will bring happiness to many people.

Takako Matsu - Happy Ending