I have a cartier watch and want to know if it is real. The back says Cartier. Plaque org 20m and swiss # 4 05626. On the inside on the back it has a # 15705. On the back face of the watch it says cartier 17 jewels unadjusted. The style is a tank. Is this a authenic Cartier?

I took my watch to a jeweller and he gave me the info I needed at no charge. You could do the same. I wanted to know if it was worth what I paid.

go here for help > http://www.chronocentric.com/watches/counterfeit.shtml

I keep saying the same thing on this board; call Cartier and describe the watch to them, you could also take digital photos of it & email them. They are always going to be your best resource for vintage or any other type Cartier watches. You can Google their number.
Having said that, your watch seems like it may be a REPLICA ( meaning, fake, I'm sorry) 'Cartier' Argent, which may be worth around $250. It is not a real Cartier. There's no way even a charity shop would sell an authentic Cartier for anything under $1,000. I am sorry to disappoint you, and if you don't feel you can count on my say-so, you are welcome to call Cartier & verify what I've said.

I know this is an old question, but a definitive answer is that the questioner’s watch is fake because I have just discovered amongst a box of broken cheap watches I must once have picked up as a joblot, the same watch as described AND with the same serial number! Also, even before realising the above-mentioned howling coincidence, I had already suspected the 933 apparent silver fineness was a rather odd number - one that even as a collector of worldwide silver coins of many variable finenesses, I felt was completely unfamiliar and unlikely.

Michael DeVito---PLEASE STOP telling people to take their Cartier to a "watch repair shop" !! If they do that instead of taking it to a Cartier shop, they will destroy the value of the watch. Once it is opened by a non-Cartier shop, Cartier will NOT stand behind it, won't even touch it and they can tell if it's been opened by someone non-Cartier trained. A 'regular' watch opening tool will damage a Cartier. And then pop goes the weasel, the watch is now worthless. Yes, they will destroy a fake that comes in their shop, and that is their right to do so; it protects the value of all those folks who have REAL Cartiers and paid big money for them. I'm sure you mean to help, but please, please stop saying "take it to a watch repair shop; you are advising these people to ruin their very valuable watches ! Anyone who has a Cartier can 'Google' Cartier website, click on U.S., then find a store near you & call them to discuss your watch. They'll be happy to help. A tune-up for your Cartier costs roughly $65.00 in a Cartier boutique, you should do that if you've bought a used one. No, I don't work for Cartier, but I own one and despise that so much bad information is out here about these watches. A genuine Cartier is not just an investment but a responsibility. Hoping this helps someone.

Visit an authorized Cartier watch dealer at a high-end jewelry store. Use a jeweler's loupe to inspect the Cartier logo, the dial, the hour, minute and second hands, color, case back and the movement, which is the small electronic or mechanical device that runs the watch. Also examine the bracelet or strap for future comparisons of Cartiers at other dealers. Obtain a copy of the Cartier sales brochure or catalog and read it.

Inspect the movement by asking the seller to remove the case back to view it. It will be engraved with the Cartier name. If the seller balks at the request, don't buy the watch. The seller may have something to hide, according to Spotcounterfeits.co.uk.

Consider the heft of the Cartier if you are considering purchasing a watch from an independent seller. Knockoff Cartiers are considerably lighter than the genuine article because they are made with cheap materials. Examine the Cartier logo to see if it's spelled correctly. Knockoffs usually originate from non-English speaking countries where English is not the primary language and workmanship is poor.

Drop a tiny bit of water on the crystal. Cartiers feature a sapphire glass crystal, in which the water beads on contact. If the water smears, the crystal is a cheap imitation.

Examine the Cartier trademark polished cabochon gemstone on the crown. The stone should be set firmly in the crown but not glued on. Use a jeweler's loupe to look for traces of glue.

Examine the Cartier logo of twin Cs on the case back, dial and strap buckle. The logos should be gracefully produced with no rough stamping.

is the watch real is it says cartier r1628 water resistant swiss made 2301 cc708177 ???

The cartier logo forms the right hand part of the 'V' on the VII numeral on my watch.

Initally it just looks the same as the V numeral until you look very closely.

Generally you have to open the watch to see the movement but a lot of fakes are plain workmanship flaws.
A real Cartier will not be made from base metal. It will be made from stainless steel or precious metal.
A real Cartier will most likely be built with screws in the band instead of cotter pins.
When you pull the crown to set there will be no play in the set lever. In other words when you spin it, it will begin to turn the hand immediately and there will be a slight resistance. It will not feel loose.
As stated, the best way to tell is to look at the movement. Cartier uses a high grade Swiss movement most likely marked ETA.