Must de Cartier Tank Basculante Ref. 2392 (Quartz)
Dress Watch / Reversible Complication · Cartier (Richemont Group). Cartier is a top-tier luxury brand known as the 'King of Jewelers' with a prestigious history in rectangular watch design.
Period: Neo-Vintage (1990s). The design is based on the 1932 patent for the 'Cabriolet' case, characterized by its Art Deco rectangular form and 360-degree vertical flipping mechanism.
Type
Dress Watch / Reversible Complication
Brand
Cartier (Richemont Group). Cartier is a top-tier luxury brand known as the 'King of Jewelers' with a prestigious history in rectangular watch design.
Movement
Quartz movement, Cartier Calibre 059 (base ETA 901.001), 3-jewel high-grade Swiss quartz.
Dimensions
22mm width (excluding crown), 32mm length (lug-to-lug), 6mm thickness, 16mm lug width. This is the 'Medium' size model.
Description
The Tank Basculante is a unique alternative to the JLC Reverso. Its name, derived from 'basculer' (to tilt), refers to the inner case that can flip over to protect the crystal or sit upright as a desk clock. This specific model represents the accessible luxury era of Cartier's 1990s catalog.
Key Features
360-degree vertical flipping inner case; 12 o'clock crown position; 'Must de' signature; architectural Art Deco frame.
Dial Description
Matte black dial with an applied silver Roman numeral at XII. Simple 'Cartier' and 'Quartz' branding. Baton silver hands. Minimalism typical of the 1990s Cartier aesthetics.
Case Material
Stainless steel with a polished and brushed finish. The 'Must de' line traditionally used Vermeil (gold-plated silver), but later quartz iterations used steel.
Crystal Type
Flat sapphire crystal. The image shows significant cracking/fracturing on the right side of the crystal.
Bezel Details
Stepped fixed bezel integrated into the flipping inner frame. Features horizontal decorative ribbing at the top and bottom of the inner housing.
Crown & Pushers
The crown is positioned at the 12 o'clock position of the inner case, protected by the outer carriage frame. It is a cabochon-set or polished steel push-pull crown.
Bracelet or Strap
Displayed on what appears to be a non-original, wide metal cuff or integrated band. Originally sold on a thin leather strap with a deployment or tang buckle.
Caseback Details
Solid stainless steel caseback. Typically engraved with 'Must de Cartier', 'Swiss Made', 'Water Resistant', and the reference number 2392.
Movement Type
Quartz movement, Cartier Calibre 059 (base ETA 901.001), 3-jewel high-grade Swiss quartz.
Water Resistance
Rated at 30 meters (3 ATM). In its current damaged state with a cracked crystal, it has zero water resistance and must kept dry.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made. Movement is an outsourced high-grade ETA quartz, modified and branded by Cartier in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Age Estimate
Circa 1990-1999 based on the 'Must de' branding and the matte dial configuration.
Cultural Significance
Cartier is largely responsible for popularizing the rectangular wristwatch. The Basculante is considered one of their most technically interesting designs, bridging the gap between jewelry and tool-like utility.
Condition Notes
Poor to Fair condition. The crystal is severely cracked. The outer and inner cases show heavy scratches and possible plating wear. The strap is likely non-original.
Value Estimate
$1,200 - $1,800 USD in current damaged condition. If restored/mint, market value for quartz 2392 references ranges from $2,500 - $3,500 USD.
Care & Maintenance
Requires immediate crystal replacement to prevent moisture entry. Battery replacement every 2-3 years. Gasket checks are essential for water resistance maintenance.
Similar Watches
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso (horizontal flip), Cartier Tank Solo (fixed), Cartier Tank Chinoise (architectural bezel).
Interesting Facts
The original Basculante design was released in 1932, just one year after the JLC Reverso. It is often preferred by collectors because the crown is hidden and protected within the frame when closed.