First off, the Must de Cartier is kinda cool ’cause it bridges this gap between the classic Cartier elegance and something a little more accessible. Think of it like the gateway drug to the super fancy Cartier stuff. This also, unfortunately, makes it a prime target for fakers.
Now, what should you be looking *at*? Well, the devil’s in the deets. Let’s start with the movement. I saw something where someone mentioned the ETA 2512 movement being used in pre-Must and early Must models. That’s good intel! If you can, peep the movement – if it’s some cheapo generic thing, run, don’t walk, away. Cartier wouldn’t put garbage inside something with their name on it. Well, supposedly.
Then there’s the case. Must de Cartier often came with gold plating, but I read somewhere that the gold plating might not be present! so you can’t fully rely on that. Also, is the plating even? Does it look like it’s about to flake off like cheap nail polish? That’s a HUGE red flag. Trust your gut on this one. And don’t forget to check the case back for markings!
Speaking of details – and this is a biggie – those blue hands. Cartier is known for their blued steel hands. But are they *actually* blued steel, or just painted blue? There’s a difference, and usually a fake will skimp out on the real deal. Hold it up to the light, see if it catches the light and has that cool, almost iridescent quality.
And then… the Cartier branding. The font, the placement, *everything*. I even saw some people mentioned about some Cartier tanks not having branding on the 7 or 10 numeral! But I personally would only get that if I’m 100% sure. I mean, come on, Cartier’s obsessed with consistency. If something looks even *slightly* off, compare it to pictures of authenticated Must de Cartiers online. There are forums and stuff dedicated to spotting fakes.
But, here’s my totally unprofessional, probably not-legal-advice opinion: sometimes, even with all the research in the world, you can’t be absolutely sure. Especially if you’re buying online, which is like playing Russian roulette with your wallet. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Better to pay a little more from a reputable dealer or get it authenticated by a pro. I’d rather be safe than sorry, and not end up with a $500 paperweight.
