How to Evaluate a Fake Cartier Tank Cintrée
A fake Cartier Tank Cintrée can look convincing in photos. The case curvature, dial font, and movement finish separate a low-grade copy from a high-grade replica. Follow the steps below to judge one in person or through detailed seller images.
Prerequisites
- 10x jeweler's loupe
- Digital calipers
- Reference photos of a genuine Tank Cintrée
- Bright, diffused light
Step-by-Step Checks
- Measure the case dimensions. Compare length, width, and thickness to the genuine reference. The Tank Cintrée is elongated and curved. A fake often uses a flat case or wrong proportions.
- Examine the case profile. Run a finger along the side. Genuine cases curve to follow the wrist. Fakes may have sharp edges or a uniform slab shape.
- Inspect the dial printing. Use the loupe. Check the Cartier signature, the Tank Cintrée text, and the Roman numerals. Genuine print is crisp, raised, and spaced with care. Fakes show thick, blurry, or misaligned letters.
- Check the secret signature. Many Cartier dials hide a micro Cartier in the VII or X numeral. A fake often omits it or prints it too large.
- Look at the hands. Genuine Tank Cintrée hands are blued steel and shaped to match the model. Fakes use painted metal or wrong hand styles.
- Study the crown. The crown should have a smooth cabochon, often blue spinel or sapphire. A fake may use plastic, glass, or a stone set with gaps.
- Open the case back. Check the movement. Genuine Cartier uses high-grade mechanical movements with Geneva stripes, polished screws, and correct engravings. Fakes often show rough finishing, wrong jewel count, or a quartz movement.
- Verify the hallmarks and serial. Look for Swiss Made, gold purity marks, and a serial number that matches the papers. Fakes may have missing or mismatched stamps.
- Weigh the watch. A solid gold Tank Cintrée feels heavy for its size. A fake in steel or plated brass feels light and off-balance.
Common Red Flags
- Case that does not curve
- Dial print that flakes or sits flat
- Crown cabochon that is glued or plastic
- Movement that ticks once per second, which means quartz
- Engravings that are shallow or laser-cut
What to Do Next
If you find two or more red flags, treat the watch as a fake. Ask the seller for movement photos, caseback stamps, and a return policy. A genuine Tank Cintrée comes with box, papers, and a service history. A high-grade replica may pass a glance, but it will fail under the checks above.