Explore our current selection of pre-owned Cartier watches, including Santos, Tank, Panthère and Ballon Bleu models. Every watch shown for sale is physically held by MVS Watches, authenticated before listing and supplied with a 12-month MVS warranty and insured UK delivery.
Our Cartier stock changes regularly as watches sell and new pieces arrive. For a more detailed look at the different collections, sizes and what to consider when buying, read our complete guide to buying a pre-owned Cartier watch.
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Cartier occupies an unusual position in watchmaking. Its watches combine traditional Swiss watchmaking with the design language of one of the world’s best-known jewellery maisons. Buying pre-owned provides access to current references alongside discontinued sizes, earlier generations and designs that are no longer available new.
Choosing the right Cartier is particularly dependent on proportions. Case dimensions, bracelet design and movement can vary considerably within the same collection, and smaller watches are an important part of Cartier’s history rather than simply being alternatives to larger modern watches. Condition and bracelet wear should also be considered carefully when comparing pre-owned examples.
The Santos has roots stretching back to 1904, when Louis Cartier created a wristwatch for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont so that he could read the time while flying without taking his hands from the controls. The resulting square design became one of Cartier’s most enduring watches.
Modern Santos de Cartier models combine the recognisable square case and exposed bezel screws with a more substantial bracelet-led design. The Santos-Dumont takes a slimmer and more traditional approach, usually placing greater emphasis on elegant proportions.
Different generations are available in a wide range of sizes, materials and movements, making the Santos equally interesting as an everyday watch or a more traditional Cartier design.
Introduced in 1917, the Tank established the rectangular design language that remains closely associated with Cartier today. Rather than relying on conventional round watch cases, its parallel case sides and clean dial created a shape that has remained recognisable for more than a century.
The Tank family includes the Tank Louis Cartier, Tank Must, Tank Française and Tank Américaine, among numerous historical variations. Depending on the reference, movements can be quartz, manually wound or automatic.
When buying pre-owned, the exact Tank reference matters considerably. Different generations can vary substantially in size, case material, movement and bracelet or strap configuration.
The Panthère demonstrates Cartier’s jewellery heritage particularly clearly. Its compact case and highly flexible bracelet make the bracelet itself a major part of the design, rather than simply a means of attaching the watch to the wrist. Pre-owned examples should therefore be assessed for bracelet condition as well as the condition of the case and dial.
The Ballon Bleu takes a very different approach, using a rounded case and distinctive recessed crown design. Available across numerous sizes, materials and both quartz and mechanical configurations, it has become one of Cartier’s most recognisable modern watch collections.
Cartier uses both quartz and mechanical movements, and movement type should be considered as part of the individual design rather than assuming that every luxury watch needs to be mechanical. Quartz movements are particularly common in smaller Tank and Panthère references, while many modern Santos and Ballon Bleu watches use automatic movements.
The automatic 1847 MC is one of Cartier’s principal modern manufacture calibres and can be found in contemporary watches including the Santos and Ballon Bleu. Cartier also produces more complicated mechanical movements across its wider watchmaking collection.
Details such as Roman numerals, railway-style minute tracks, blued hands and distinctive crown treatments appear throughout Cartier’s watchmaking, although their exact execution varies between models and periods. These recurring design elements are a major reason Cartier watches remain immediately recognisable even when their case shapes differ substantially.
Every available Cartier shown on this page is physically held by MVS Watches rather than advertised on consignment or pre-sold from an unrelated third party. Each watch is inspected and authenticated before listing, with its condition, year, box and papers stated on the individual product page.
Our pre-owned Cartier watches are supplied with a 12-month MVS warranty and insured UK delivery.
Yes. Every Cartier available to purchase is physically held in stock by MVS Watches. We do not advertise watches on consignment or pre-sell stock held by an unrelated third party.
Cartier can offer strong value on the pre-owned market, particularly where current and previous-generation references are available below their original retail prices. Buying pre-owned also provides access to discontinued sizes, earlier designs and references that may no longer be available new.
The Santos uses a square case with exposed bezel screws and has its origins in an early aviation wristwatch created for Alberto Santos-Dumont. Modern Santos models generally have a stronger sports-watch character. The Tank uses a rectangular case and typically offers a more traditional dress-watch design, with numerous variations produced since its introduction in 1917.
Cartier produces both. Many modern Santos and Ballon Bleu models use automatic mechanical movements, while quartz movements are common in smaller Tank, Panthère and other Cartier references. Some collections also include manually wound mechanical watches.
Every Cartier is supplied with a 12-month MVS warranty. Some watches may also retain part of their original manufacturer warranty, which will be stated on the individual product listing where applicable.
