What is a Cartier Tank Française Ref. 1820 worth?

Public auction and dealer results for Ref. 1820 from November 2023 to November 2026 come to $7,450 to $9,500, with a median of $8,550 across 3 sales of this exact reference. The most recent was $10,500 at Lyon & Turnbull in May 2026. Condition, service history, and the original box and papers move an individual watch within that range.

What is the Tank Française Ref. 1820?

The small Tank Française in 18k yellow gold: a 20 × 25 mm case with a quartz movement and no date, a silvered dial with black Roman numerals and blued sword hands, usually on the integrated gold bracelet. Bonhams, Antiquorum and Artcurial all catalog it this way.

Is the 1820 the large gold automatic?

No. The large 18k gold automatic with a date at 6 o'clock is the Ref. 1840. An earlier version of this page gave the 1820 the 1840's specifications; that was wrong.

Which modern reference matches the 1820?

Several dealers list the 1820 alongside the later number W50002N2, but at least one dealer gives W50002N2 as the Ref. 2385, another small gold quartz. Treat the W-number as unconfirmed and go by the case back.

What should I check on a 1820?

Hallmarks for 18k gold on the case back and bracelet; a bracelet without stretch, since gold links are costly to replace; a clean dial with its hidden signature; and a quartz movement that runs, with no battery corrosion.

Cartier · Tank Française

Tank Française, Yellow Gold, Small

Ref. 1820c. 1997–2000s

The Cartier Tank Française Ref. 1820 is the small 20 × 25 mm 18k yellow gold quartz Tank Française made c. 1997–2000s, with a silvered or white dial and no date window.

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Recent sales of Ref. 1820: $7,450 to $9,500, median $8,550 across 3 sales of this exact reference, Nov 2023 to Nov 2026. What's yours worth?

Only sales that name Ref. 1820 count here.

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Specifications

Reference: 1820; Small model, 18k yellow gold, quartz, no date
Year: c. 1997–2000s; The Tank Française launched in 1996; the earliest dated 1820s are from 1997 (Feldman and Bachmann & Scher), and dated examples run into the 2000s
Movement: Quartz; Swiss quartz; Bonhams gives an ETA 281.002 with 6 jewels (one source)
Case: 20 × 25 mm, 18k Yellow Gold
Dial: Silvered or white; Black Roman numerals, hidden Cartier signature at X, no date
Hands: Blued steel; Sword-shaped
Strap: Integrated 18k yellow gold bracelet, or strap with gold buckle; Hidden folding clasp on the bracelet

Visual Description

The 1820 is the smallest gold Tank Française: a 20 × 25 mm case in 18k yellow gold that flows into an integrated gold bracelet without visible lugs, the defining shape of the Française. The silvered dial carries black Roman numerals, the hidden Cartier signature in the X and blued steel sword hands. There is no date.

Reference Significance

The 1820 is often confused with the large gold automatic. Auction catalogs from Bonhams, Antiquorum and Artcurial all describe the 1820 as the small 20 × 25 mm gold quartz, and the large automatic as the Ref. 1840.

Historical Context

Cartier introduced the Tank Française in 1996, in steel, steel and gold, and solid gold, across small, medium and large sizes. The earliest dated examples of the small gold 1820 are from 1997, cataloged by Feldman as sold that year and dated 1997 by Bachmann & Scher; others run into the 2000s, including one bought new in December 2000.

What to Look For

Confirm the 18k hallmarks on the case back and on the bracelet links. The integrated bracelet is where wear shows: check every link for play and look for replaced links. The dial should be clean with its hidden signature intact. Open the case back to see that the quartz movement is clean and free of battery corrosion.

Known Variants

Documented dial, case, and bracelet variations of Ref. 1820.

On Gold Bracelet

Integrated 18k yellow gold bracelet with hidden folding clasp

c. 1997–2000sStandard

On Strap

Leather strap with an 18k gold buckle

c. 1997–2000sLess common

How to tell it apart

What separates a Ref. 1820 from its neighbors, and what to check before you buy or sell one.

What is a Cartier Tank Française Ref. 1820 worth?: Public auction and dealer results for Ref. 1820 from November 2023 to November 2026 come to $7,450 to $9,500, with a median of $8,550 across 3 sales of this exact reference. The most recent was $10,500 at Lyon & Turnbull in May 2026. Condition, service history, and the original box and papers move an individual watch within that range.
What is the Tank Française Ref. 1820?: The small Tank Française in 18k yellow gold: a 20 × 25 mm case with a quartz movement and no date, a silvered dial with black Roman numerals and blued sword hands, usually on the integrated gold bracelet. Bonhams, Antiquorum and Artcurial all catalog it this way.
Is the 1820 the large gold automatic?: No. The large 18k gold automatic with a date at 6 o'clock is the Ref. 1840. An earlier version of this page gave the 1820 the 1840's specifications; that was wrong.
Which modern reference matches the 1820?: Several dealers list the 1820 alongside the later number W50002N2, but at least one dealer gives W50002N2 as the Ref. 2385, another small gold quartz. Treat the W-number as unconfirmed and go by the case back.
What should I check on a 1820?: Hallmarks for 18k gold on the case back and bracelet; a bracelet without stretch, since gold links are costly to replace; a clean dial with its hidden signature; and a quartz movement that runs, with no battery corrosion.