
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Cartier Tank Must Black (Ref. WSTA0072), 2023
- Maker / attribution
- Cartier (maker)
- Date
- 2023
- Historical period
- Contemporary Horology (2010 – Present)
- Country of origin
- France
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 25 mm
- Stock no.
- Product 8286016209079
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Huntington Company (product 8286016209079)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 2023 Cartier Tank Must Black - Box & Papers (Ref. WSTA0072) (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by Huntington Company (dealer) (stock number Product 8286016209079), this is a wristwatch by Cartier, made in France, dated 2023. The Atlas places it in the Contemporary Horology period (2010 – Present) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 25 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Huntington Company
History and Significance The Cartier Tank Must in black presents a striking contemporary take on one of Cartier’s most enduring designs. Its deep black lacquer dial, entirely free of numerals or markers, creates a seamless surface that highlights the Tank’s clean geometry and proportions. Measuring 25 by 33 millimeters, the stainless steel case is slightly larger than the dimensions that have defined the model for decades, while retaining the unmistakable profile inspired by Louis Cartier’s 1917 creation. This modern iteration continues the legacy of the Must de Cartier line, first launched in the late 1970s as a more accessible expression of the classic Tank design. By combining traditional form with a minimalist, monochromatic aesthetic, this reference embodies Cartier’s ability to evolve its most iconic silhouette while preserving its fundamental character. Writer’s Thoughts The Tank Must Ref. WSTA0072 stands out for its simplicity and balance. The absence of numerals gives the dial a refined visual purity, allowing the steel hands to provide just the right amount of contrast. It wears comfortably thanks to its compact size and quartz movement, which offers precision and ease of use. This reference captures the timeless charm of the Tank while expressing it in a distinctly modern way. Our Promise Every watch is thoroughly vetted, carefully described with complete transparency, and guaranteed authentic. Each piece is offered in honest condition, ensuring collectors receive a timepiece that reflects both originality and integrity. Specifications Brand: Cartier Model: Tank Must Ref. WSTA0072 Year: 2023 Case Material: Stainless steel Case Size: 25mm by 33mm Dial: Gloss black lacquer dial with steel hands Crystal: Sapphire crystal Movement: Quartz Strap: Original Cartier leather strap Buckle: Original Cartier steel buckle Contents: Complete with original box and papers Condition Case: Unpolished and sharp, showing normal signs of wear Crystal: Excellent, no visible marks Dial: Clean gloss black surface, free of blemishes Hands: Original steel hands in excellent condition. Strap: Original Cartier strap, unworn with tag attached Buckle: Original Cartier buckle in excellent condition
Historical context
Contemporary Horology (2010 – Present)
Silicon components, connected watches, optical-lattice research clocks and a thriving independent scene.
Smartwatches became the world's best-selling watches, while mechanical watchmaking focuses on craft, innovation (silicon components, new escapements) and independent makers.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Mechanical Renaissance
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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