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Cartier
Tank Française Mid Size Automatic Ref 2302
28x32 · Automatic · 2000
Cartier Tank Française, medium size, featuring an automatic movement. A timeless unisex model crafted entirely in stainless steel, accented by Cartier’s signature blue sapphire crown. A true classic from the Maison.
Specifications
$4,150Available
Questions about this piece? Call +1 (917) 828-1306 or visit us at 36 West 47th Street, W8-9, New York City.
Winding & servicing
- An automatic movement winds itself through the motion of your wrist. Worn daily, it will keep running; left idle it will stop after roughly 40–48 hours and simply needs a gentle shake or 20–30 manual turns of the crown to restart.
- A watch winder is optional. If you use one, choose a low rotation setting — continuous high-speed winding adds needless wear.
- Plan a full service every 5–7 years. A movement that is losing or gaining more than a few seconds a day, or that sounds gritty when wound, should be seen sooner.
Daily wear
- Avoid operating the crown or pushers while the watch is wet, and always ensure the crown is fully pushed in (or screwed down) before contact with water.
- Remove the piece before swimming in chlorinated or salt water, using a sauna or hot tub, and before contact sport or manual work. Sudden temperature change and impact are the two things a fine movement tolerates least.
- Keep it away from strong magnets — laptop speakers, tablet covers, handbag clasps and induction hobs are the usual culprits. Magnetisation shows up as a watch suddenly running fast, and is easily reversed by a watchmaker.
Cleaning
- Wipe the case and bracelet with a soft, dry microfibre cloth after each wear to lift skin oils and dust before they build up in the joints.
- For a metal bracelet, occasional cleaning with lukewarm water, a drop of mild soap and a very soft toothbrush will lift grime from between the links. Rinse, then dry thoroughly — only ever with the crown fully closed.
- Never use ultrasonic cleaners, solvents, or commercial jewellery dips at home on a watch — they can strip lume, degrade gaskets and damage set stones.
Storage
- Store in a dry place at stable room temperature, away from direct sunlight — prolonged UV fades dials and ages strap leather.
- Keep pieces separated in a lined box or soft pouch so cases and stones cannot rub against one another. Diamond is hard enough to scratch virtually anything it shares a drawer with.
- Retain the original box, papers and any accessories supplied. They materially affect the value should you ever sell or trade the piece.
Water resistance
- Water resistance is a seal condition, not a permanent specification. Gaskets harden and shrink with age, so a rating stamped on the case back decades ago tells you little about the watch today.
- Have the case pressure-tested annually, and always after the case back has been opened for any reason.
- Vintage pieces should be treated as not water resistant regardless of their original rating.
