chippyfly
786
Worth more in keeping
You say it is working. First I would check how long the battery had been in place. If more than 3 to 4 years, I would replace immediately. Watch out for the polarity because some of the Cartier quartz movements had positive side down (facing the dial) and the battery held in place under a bridging clamp. If a clamp, one end will have a slotted screw hole while the other end also screwed to allow the clamp to swing aside. Check the open end of the clamp slides under the insulation when re-fixing, otherwise the battery will short.
Leave the crystal, dial, hands and crown well alone. They are in very good condition and timeless. I think the watch is not water resistant, unlike now for Must de Cartier, so care is needed for cleaning the case.
The case has lost a lot of its gold plating through wear. I would gently remove the silver tarnish with an impregnated proprietary silver polishing cloth and avoid using any liquid cleaning fluids. In my view the cost of gold re-plating would exceed the value of the watch. In any case the cleaned case reflects the true patina of your mother's watch, to be treasured as a keepsake. Keep the watch in box with a small sack of silica to absorb any moisture.
If to be worn, and why not, even though a small size? I would change the strap to a burgundy crocodile of a width to tightly fit the lugs. Does the now fitted strap still have the Cartier plated ardillon pin-buckle, which adds value? They can be expensive to replace.
Enjoy this very personal heirloom.
Clive
Hi my friends
Would anyone have experience in servicing old old timepieces ? I just recovered that tank must from long time ago( from my mum) And was wondering how much effort (and cost)it would take to bring it back to origin look alike. The watch is fully functioning...
I have refreshed / resurrected many an old watch
It's possible to tune or repair almost any kind of mechanical watch. The biggest issues for daily use are lack of waterproofing, and general sensitivity of old movements vs new shock-protected watches. If you wear it carefully as a momento of mother or da...
Thanks a lot!
Very reassuring I was thinking of getting Cartier to service it. Are you saying an indépendant would be sufficient ? Kev
Must de Cartier Tanks
Hello. I have had several of these gold-plated Cartier Tanks. Once the gold plating starts to fade off the exposed silver tarnishes. That's mainly what I see in your photo. If the watch is working and doesn't need servicing you can just get a dry Jewelry ...
My 2 cents…
… given the watch is your mum’s ones, let’s check if it’s stil working properly, but enjoy the character and patina it has developed, it is and will be your mum patina… It will remember you any day of your life that the watch has been on her wrist, would ...
Worth more in keeping
You say it is working. First I would check how long the battery had been in place. If more than 3 to 4 years, I would replace immediately. Watch out for the polarity because some of the Cartier quartz movements had positive side down (facing the dial) and...
Thanks.
So the pin buckle is full of (sad) history. My mum has never been that « interested » in watches but I am sure got that one as she liked the discreet and pure design. So when she had to replace the battery she went to « normal » jeweller and he substitute...
Manufacturers' signed pin-buckles
Generic pin buckles come in packets of five from a wholesale supplier and are as cheap as chips. Generic straps nearly always come already fitted with a cheap buckle and sometimes with a spare second buckle in a contrasting colour so there is a choice of ...
I think you are spot on…
Unfortunately I suspect the jeweller who replaced the strap for my mum to not being that honest and saw on front of him someone who had no clue and did not insisted in getting the buckle back though. A shame I was not in to watches at that moment otherwis...