Tank Louis Cartier

Roman numeral typeface does not match Cartier's proprietary geometry.

• The "VII" crossbar on reproductions is typically too narrow or too high on the stem
• The "IV" on reproductions often has the crossbar positioned incorrectly relative to the stem height
• Overall numeral weight appears lighter or heavier than Cartier originals when compared side by side

This is the single fastest field tell. If the numerals look wrong, everything else is secondary.

Blued hands are painted or lacquered rather than genuinely heat-blued.

• Painted hands appear uniformly dark blue with no tonal variation under changing light angles
• Genuine blued steel shifts from blue to violet to grey-blue depending on light angle
• Painted hands may show brush marks or surface gloss that genuine blued steel does not

Cabochon crown stone is incorrect material or shape.

• Flat or near-flat crown stone instead of the characteristic dome profile
• Stone with no blue translucency, appearing as a solid blue oval
• Crown tube that shows solder or adhesive around the stone setting

Original: The lacquer dial is flat with printed Roman numerals at consistent depth. The railroad minute track is composed of fine alternating long and short tick marks that are precisely spaced. Under 5x magnification, the print edges are clean with no ink spread.

• Roman numeral "I" strokes that are too thin or too thick relative to the other numerals on the same dial
• Railroad track ticks that are uneven in spacing or appear fuzzy at the edges under magnification
• "Cartier" text where the letterforms appear slightly compressed or where the "t" crossbar height differs from originals
• Any yellowing or crazing in the lacquer surface suggesting a non-original dial

Original: Synthetic blue cabochon set in a fluted yellow gold crown tube. The cabochon is visibly domed and shows slight translucency. On the Tank Louis Cartier, the crown is on the left side of the case at 9 o'clock.

• Crown stone that is opaque rather than having the slight blue translucency of a synthetic sapphire cabochon
• Crown tube that shows tool marks around the setting bezel, indicating aftermarket replacement
• Stone that is flat or only very slightly raised rather than genuinely domed

Original: Yellow gold case with polished surfaces throughout. The Tank LC case has narrow, parallel side bands ("brancards") that are correctly polished. No brushed surfaces on this reference.

• Brancards (side rails) that show rounding or polishing that reduces their sharpness -- original case angles are crisp at the brancards
• Case back that shows any brushing on a stated polished example
• Lug ends that are rounded or show evidence of buffing beyond the original profile

• Solid yellow gold caseback (no exhibition) with engraved reference number and serial number
• "CARTIER" engraved around the periphery of the caseback
• French hallmarks for 18k gold (750 purity stamp with owl cartouche for French market pieces)
• Water resistance rating (typically 30m) and "Swiss Made" engraving
• Movement caliber designation where applicable (Cal. 430 MC for the manual-wind versions)