What Buyers Want in Pre-Owned Cartier Tank Watches

Are you a Cartier fan? Or perhaps you just love luxury watches. If so, you’ve probably heard of the iconic Cartier Tank watches.

Like all things made by Cartier, the Cartier Tank watches boast expert craftsmanship, durability, and high-quality materials. If you owned one of these watches, you’ve gained a status symbol of financial achievement, and we know you’ve got great taste.

As a popular vintage watch, the Cartier Tank watches also have a high value in the resale market. And if you have one, you can’t help but think:

“Hey, I have a Cartier Tank. If I sell my watch, would I get a great deal?”. Well, you might be correct but that’s only half the answer.

Let’s talk about what makes pre-owned Cartier Tanks valuable, and how you can get the best deal if you decide to sell Cartier watch.

What Makes Cartier Tank Watches So Appealing?

The Cartier Tank is just one of those watches that seems to never get old. Older generations grew crazy over them when they got released, and now the newer generations are opening their wallets wide just to get one for themselves. But why so? Here are some reasons why:

Simple yet Classy Design

Cartier is known for challenging conventional aesthetics. And they’ve taken the same approach with the Tank models.

Do you want to know what inspired these watches? Military tanks! Those giant heaps of metal are used in war and are not usually associated with beauty and style.

But you can definitely see the inspiration in the watch. Mainly, you can see it in the watch’s rectangular shape. If you look at the watch from the side angle, it does quite resemble a tank.

Aside from its inspiration, the watch has a simplistic yet elegant design. Cartier Tank watches earn the love of many by being simplistic enough that you can match it with any outfit, and any person from any age group can wear it and look good. 

A Status Symbol for Luxury

Introduced in 1917, the Cartier Tank watches quickly rose to fame and became a status symbol for luxury. And no, it’s not just the price that makes it luxurious.

A lot of remarkable people have worn the watch. Famous individuals like Princess Diana, Andy Warhol, and Catherine Deneuve all own Cartier Tanks. These people’s association with the watch boosted status as “the watch people with a high status own”.

Aside from this, every Tank watch is made with precious materials that have a value on its own. Some Cartier watches are made with 18k gold, platinum, and even diamonds. These materials are expensive on their own, but add it to a watch as popular as Cartier, and you have a watch that becomes the definition of luxury.

What Would Buyers Want When I Sell My Cartier Watch?

Before you start googling "carrier buyers near me" or "sell carrier watch near me" on Google, do you actually know what buyers are looking for in your watch?

There are a few key things that you should definitely keep in mind when selling your Cartier watch, such as:

Condition

Just like any luxury item, the condition of a pre-owned Cartier Tank is one of the most important things buyers care about.

So naturally, buyers would want your Cartier watch to be well-maintained.

A watch that looks brand new, or is in excellent condition, will naturally be more valuable. Even minimal scratches and dents can lower the price of a Cartier Tank watch, so you should really check your watch if it has any imperfections.

Authenticity

It's no secret that the luxury watch resale market has its own fair share of counterfeit watches. There are individuals who dedicate their lives to creating fakes in hopes of fooling avid collectors and getting huge amounts of money off of them.

That's why you shouldn't be worried if a potential Cartier buyer asks you tons of questions about the authenticity of your watch. Having the original box, receipt, and other paperwork can make proving your watch's authenticity much simpler.

Ownership History

Some buyers may also value the fact that a Cartier Tank watch might have been owned by a prominent individual.

If your watch happened to be passed on from a famous person or a well-known collector, that can potentially add extra value to its total worth. Please note however that this depends on the buyer.

Rarity and Limited Editions

The harder it is for your Cartier Tank watch model to appear in the market, the higher its value.

Cartier Tank limited edition models are very attractive to collectors because of the exclusivity they offer. So if you happen to have one, a potential buyer may offer you a price even higher than what you expected.

Dial and Case Material

Cartier offers Tank watches in a variety of materials and dial options. The most common materials used are stainless steel, 18k gold, and platinum. Some special editions may also feature diamond-studded dials or unique case finishes.

Of course, since precious stones like gold and diamond have their own value, buyers are much more willing to set a high price on Cartier Tank watches with these materials.

Where Can I Sell My Cartier Watch?

You can sell your watch to a bunch of places. Each has its own pros and cons. These places are:

eBay

eBay is a popular online selling platform that’s accessed by almost everyone today. On this site, anyone can place their item on sale by making a listing, and anyone can bid on the item. As such, you can set up a listing for Cartier Tank watch on eBay and sell it to the highest bidder.

However, you have to be careful about potential scammers. Sites like eBay may not offer the security you want for your transaction, so it's best to stay vigilant and careful when shipping your items.

Pawn Shops

People usually sell luxury goods and other prized possessions in pawn shops. And of course, you can also choose to sell your Cartier Tank to one.

The selling process in pawn shops can be quick and simple. You can come in, the owner examines your watch and offers you a price, and you can get paid the same day.

However, this simple process comes with a cost. Pawn shops need to make a profit, so they usually offer lower prices than what you might get in other places.

Auction Houses

Another common place to sell Cartier watches is at auction houses. If you decide to sell at auction houses, there is a chance your watch will be bought by a dedicated Cartier collector who can offer you a high price.

But, don’t be shocked if the money that hits your bank is not the same as what the collector has paid. Auction houses have commission fees that they might quickly deduct from the final price you get. These commission fees can range from small but they can reach up to 25%. Make sure you check and are fine with the commission rates before you decide to sell to an auction house.

Meet Claudine Faifer: Estate Jewelry & Sterling Silver Specialist

Meet Claudine Faifer an estate jewelry, watch and sterling silver specialist with a professional career spanning over 50 years, including an impressive 30 years career at Gray and Sons Jewelers, the premier destination for selling, buying, repairing and consigning luxury watches and estate jewelry… Read more of Claudine Faifer's History in Estate Jewelry