The Cheapest Cartier Watch: A Guide to Affordable Luxury

The cheapest way to get a Cartier watch is to buy pre-owned, where models like the vintage Must de Cartier start around $1,500. At retail, the cheapest Cartier watch is the Tank Must in stainless steel (small model, quartz movement), which starts approximately at $3,750. The current Tank, Santos, Panthère, and Ballon Bleu lines are also available pre-owned for less than their retail prices. But there’s more to these watches than an accessible price.

For well over a century now, Cartier has been making a name for itself, producing elegant timepieces with intricate, high-end materials. Despite the higher price tags associated with most of the brand’s watches, there are a few starter watches that allow collectors to take their first step into the world of Cartier. In this guide, we’ll take a deep dive into the most affordable Cartier watches.

What are the most affordable Cartier watches?

Buying a Cartier isn’t just about keeping time. It’s about owning a small piece of design history you can wear daily and hopefully one day pass down to the next generation. Also, these watches serve functions beyond mere timekeeping and hold deep significance for your desired lifestyle. They are not just numbers on a dial. That’s why it’s so important that a Cartier watch speaks to you on a personal level. It’s what brings us to this question: what are the most affordable Cartier watches?

The Cartier Tank Must

Among Cartier’s luxury watches the Tank Must is the most attainable option. Launched as an entry-level iteration of the brand’s legendary Tank in the 1970s, the Must collection was updated with new specifications and sizing in 2021. Cartier’s Tank Must continues the rectangular case shape that has come to symbolize sophisticated watchmaking since Louis Cartier first conceived the Tank as a tribute to the Renault tanks of World War I in 1917.

Collectors love the Tank Must because it keeps everything people love about the Tank (the shape, feel, and history) without the sky-rocket price. The watch has the same proportions and style language that have made the Tank such a popular timepiece for everyone from Jackie Kennedy to Andy Warhol. The dial also keeps the classic Roman numerals, railroad track minute markers, and blued steel hands that are the signatures of Cartier design.

Key Features:

Iconic rectangular case design

Quartz movement for affordability and accuracy on most models

Available in various sizes and strap options

Classic Cartier Roman numerals and blue hands

Tank Must is available in small, large, and extra-large case sizes, with either leather straps in multiple colors or stainless steel bracelets. There’s a version to fit just about any wrist or style, whether you prefer a vintage leather strap or a polished steel bracelet.

Cartier Tank Solo

As one of Cartier’s core Tank offerings over the years, the Cartier Tank Solo presents an excellent entry point into the world of Cartier watch ownership. The Tank Solo simplifies some elements of the Tank design but retains the linear, geometric spirit that gives the Tank its identity. Roman numeral hour markers and a thin, rectangular case profile make the Solo highly faithful to the 1917 original.

Inside the case, the Tank Solo features a reliable Cartier in-house quartz movement, which drives costs down compared to a mechanical movement. And by framing the whole package in stainless-steel rather than precious metals, Cartier makes pre-owned Tank Solos accessible to buyers who may have previously found Cartier out of budget.

Key Features:

Rectangular Stainless-Steel Case: A timeless Tank profile that echoes the 1917 original design.

Roman Numeral Dial: Classic Cartier aesthetic with blue sword-shaped hands.

Quartz Movement: Reliable and low-maintenance in-house movement for everyday use.

Cabochon Crown: Blue synthetic spinel adds a refined Cartier touch.

Leather Strap or Steel Bracelet Options: Available in multiple sizes for men and women.

Cartier Tank Francaise

Joining the Solo and Must in the more affordable Cartier Tank lineup, the Tank Francaise also warrants attention from savvy buyers. The Cartier Tank Francaise line, launched in 1996, echoes the familiar linear aesthetic of the Tank family with an added dose of curvature. The case takes on a sensual, flattened oval shape and integrates gracefully into the bracelet links. This ergonomic twist enhances wearing comfort without abandoning the Tank DNA.

Inside, the Francaise models share a similar quartz movement and stainless-steel construction as the two other models already outlined. By sticking to the basics, Francaise prices reach comparable entry-level territory. While not the absolute rock-bottom tank model, the Francaise still qualifies as an impressively affordable way to enjoy an authentic Cartier Tank, this one with flowing, curved lines as a bonus.

Key Features:

Curved Rectangular Case: Blends the classic Tank shape with softer, more ergonomic lines.

Integrated Bracelet Design: Smoothly transitions from case to bracelet for a unified, modern look.

Roman Numeral Dial: Maintains Cartier’s signature aesthetic with blue sword-shaped hands.

Quartz Movement: Dependable in-house quartz caliber offering precision and low maintenance.

Stainless-Steel Construction: Durable and versatile for everyday wear.

A Comparison of Entry-Level Cartier Watches

Beyond the Tank Must, Cartier’s lineup includes several models that balance affordability with the distinctive style the maison is known for. Many of these trace back to the Must de Cartier line, launched in the 1970s as Cartier’s accessible collection. It used gold-plated vermeil cases and quartz movements to lower the entry price, and later lent its name to today’s Tank Must. The Santos de Cartier, the brand’s iconic pilot’s watch, offers a sportier alternative with its square case and integrated bracelet. The Santos-Dumont, a dressier interpretation within the Santos family, is named after Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont and presents the spirit of early aviation timepieces in a more elegant format. The Panthère de Cartier channels the jewelry side of the brand with its bracelet-style construction, while the Ballon Bleu de Cartier presents a more contemporary interpretation of luxury watchmaking.

Model | Retail Price (Starting) | Preowned Price
Tank Must | $3,750 | From $3,500
Santos de Cartier | $4,800 | From $3,800
Panthère de Cartier | $4,450 | From $3,900
Ballon Bleu de Cartier | $5,750 | From $3,300

Each of these watches shows off a different side of Cartier’s personality, from sporty to elegant to jewelry-inspired. The Santos de Cartier is the sportier option in the more accessible range, featuring the iconic squared case with exposed screws and the practical QuickSwitch system that allows easy strap changes. The Santos-Dumont, a more refined member of the Santos family, connects wearers to Cartier’s pioneering role in creating one of the first purpose-built wristwatches for aviators. The Panthère captures the glamour of 1980s luxury, when the model first appeared on the wrists of style icons. The Ballon Bleu, introduced in 2007, demonstrates that Cartier continues to innovate in design while staying true to its aesthetic principles.

What Makes These Cartier Watches “Cheaper”?

So why are these models more affordable? It mostly comes down to materials, movement type, and how complex the design is. Cartier maintains its design standards while producing accessible watches at lower prices, thanks to manufacturing and materials efficiencies.

Cost-Saving Factors

Cartier keeps costs down through thoughtful choices in materials and mechanics, but the attention to detail stays the same.

Quartz vs. Automatic Movements

Quartz movements are cheaper to make and way easier to maintain. They’re battery-powered, so you don’t have to worry about winding them or losing time if you set the watch down for a few days. They require fewer parts, less hand assembly, and provide excellent accuracy while avoiding the complex engineering needed for a mechanical movement. Watch enthusiasts tend to value automatic movements for their craftsmanship, but quartz movements have several practical advantages including low maintenance and reliable accuracy.

Stainless Steel vs. Precious Metals

The entry-level watches are generally stainless steel rather than gold or platinum. Gold and platinum cases can add thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars to a watch, but stainless steel offers durability and an elegant look for a fraction of the price. Cartier still does the same level of finishing work on stainless steel cases as more expensive models.

Simple Complications

Entry-level models are generally time-only or at most include a simple date function. Complications like chronographs, moon phases, or perpetual calendars require additional dials, hands, and more complex movements with much more development and testing time, which significantly increases manufacturing costs.

Finding Your Perfect Entry-Level Cartier Watch

A Cartier watch is a piece of history you can actually wear, and you don’t need to spend a fortune to own one. Whether you choose the Tank Must for its iconic rectangular case, the Santos de Cartier for its sporty versatility, or any other entry-level model, you’re acquiring a timepiece that transcends trend and fashion. Cartier watches are synonymous with quality timepieces that hold their value well. Even at the most affordable level, a Cartier watch is an investment in both style and watchmaking history.

Bob’s Watches is home to a huge range of pre-owned luxury timepieces from all the top manufacturers, including a great selection of Cartier watches at all levels of complication. Whether you’re after an everyday Tank or a more complicated Santos, Bob’s Watches carries an ever-changing selection of authenticated Cartier models, all carefully inspected before they go up for sale. If it’s Swiss watchmaking you’re after, check out our selection of Cartier watches, where Swiss precision meets aviation heritage in some of the most distinct timepieces.

Frequently Asked Questions
The most affordable Cartier watches are entry-level steel and pre-owned pieces. Brand new, the cheapest is the Tank Must in stainless steel at $3,750. Pre-owned, current steel models like the Ballon Bleu and Tank Must start around $3,300, while vintage Must de Cartier models from the 1970s and 1980s go as low as $1,500, the cheapest way to own the Cartier name. Cartier watches generally have a lower entry price point than Rolex, with some models starting around $2,000-$3,000 compared to Rolex’s typical starting price that can be much higher. However, both brands offer high-end models that can cost tens of thousands of dollars or more. Yes, Cartier is generally considered more prestigious and higher-end than Tiffany & Co. in the luxury jewelry and watch market. Cartier has a longer heritage in fine jewelry and haute horlogerie, positioning itself at a slightly more exclusive tier. The Cartier Tank is the most iconic and well-known Cartier watch, having been introduced in 1917 and worn by countless celebrities and historical figures. The Santos de Cartier, created in 1904, is also highly recognizable as one of the first purpose-built wristwatches ever made.