This 1990 Cartier Must de Cartier Vendôme, reference 590003, is a 30 mm Vermeil quartz watch with cream Roman-numeral dial, blued steel hands and blue cabochon crown. It is offered as a documented period full set, adding a useful layer of context to the larger Vendôme configuration.
Why It’s Special
The Must programme made Cartier’s design vocabulary available in Vermeil–gold-plated sterling silver–during the quartz era. The round Vendôme offered a softer counterpart to the Tank while retaining Cartier signatures in the cabochon crown, Roman numerals and sword hands. For a watch of this vintage, the retention of its period set is meaningful: boxes and paperwork are often separated from their watches over time.
Condition
Dial appears clean and original with an even cream tone and crisp printed Roman numerals and minute track; no obvious spotting or degradation visible. Blued steel hands are correct and clean. Mineral crystal shows a small chip visible under close inspection, along with light surface wear consistent with age. Vermeil case (sterling silver 925 with ≈ 20 µm gold plating) retains a strong gold tone with light surface scratches and minor edge wear; no significant plating loss evident. Case-back engravings remain clear. Crown fitted with intact blue cabochon. Genuine Cartier leather strap shows moderate wear and creasing, paired with a Cartier-signed buckle in good condition.
Performance
Quartz movement running correctly. Battery replaced in September 2025.
Details
Reference: 590003 Movement: Cartier quartz Serial: 050127 Case: 30 mm vermeil (sterling silver 925 with ≈ 20 µm gold plating) Crystal: Mineral glass Strap: Genuine Cartier leather strap with Cartier gold-plated buckle Inclusions: Full set – inner box, outer box, papers and manuals Provenance: Sourced from Japan and inspected in Melbourne
