The "Cartier Must Tank" that arrived today features a sunburst dial, which was exclusively available in the manual-wind model line.
In addition to being an item of the highest rarity and difficulty to acquire due to its index-free dial design, this piece comes with a lifetime warranty that covers Cartier's complete service and any natural mechanical failures in Japan at no cost.
The manual-wind Must Tank line-up consisted of eight variations, led by the ivory Roman numeral dial, followed by black Roman, onyx, lapis, garnet, walnut, beige, and this sunburst version.
However, the sunburst dial is exceptionally rare in terms of circulation, and for some, this may be their first time seeing one. It features an engraved pattern across the entire dial, creating changing expressions depending on the light—a very rare design for a Cartier watch.
Such an intricate dial was rare even among the lineups of that era, and like the Santos "ghost" or garnet dials, it is possible this was a limited model, though it is clear it was only produced for a short time.
Despite the Tank case design, the dial has a unique atmosphere that makes it hard to believe it’s a Cartier watch, and the simple design featuring only the logo without indices further enhances the impression of the dial.
This is the LM size, and it is our first time stocking it in over a decade. Opportunities to see one are incredibly rare due to the limited number of pieces available, but this is also our first time receiving one accompanied by a lifetime warranty. I never imagined that a piece with such a warranty even existed.
I was initially skeptical when I received the information during procurement, but the moment I saw it in person, I decided to purchase it regardless of the cost.
It took about two and a half months for the case re-plating and manufacturer repairs, and I could hardly wait for it to return to me. Needless to say, I was thrilled to get my hands on a sunburst dial with a lifetime warranty for the first time.
In addition to the wonderful benefit of the lifetime warranty, during the complete service at Cartier, the dial, hands, glass, and crown were replaced with brand new ones. Furthermore, the case was re-plated, bringing it to a condition as close to brand new as possible.
It is in beautiful condition that belies its vintage status, while also coming with the best possible service coverage. Beyond its rarity, this is an item that is impeccable both at the time of purchase and thereafter. You won’t find another piece as complete as this anywhere else in the world.
Please do not miss out on this. This might very well be your last chance!
