Must de Cartier's origins date back to the early 1970s, when, according to legend, an employee who had been prompted for marketing ideas at a meeting exclaimed 'Cartier, it's a must!' This unique philosophy guided the luxury goods company as it sought to create a line of less expensive tank wristwatches that would be more widely accessible. Welcome to the wonderful world of Must de Cartier watches! These underrated timepieces are, in my opinion, the perfect starter wristwatch for the fledgling horological aficionado.

But what if I told you there was a vintage Cartier Tank model that not only proudly displayed the rich traditions of the storied luxury house, but was also within financial reach? Unfortunately, with a price tag easily exceeding $25,000, an original 1920s Cartier Tank wristwatch is beyond most people's budget. Since that time, Cartier has continuously produced highly coveted luxury watches using this simple, yet instantly recognizable design. First developed in 1917, the Cartier Tank borrowed its design language (and name) from the most technologically advanced battlefield weapon of its time - the British Mark IV tank.

The rectangular Cartier Tank wristwatch is one of the world's most iconic watches. Notice the cobalt-blue spinel crown, superb build quality and classic styling of the piece - characteristics shared by all Cartier watches. Photo Credit: Guy Sie Here is a magnificent example of a vintage Must de Cartier wristwatch, circa 1980.

Cartier model numbers on watch