Help on an special shape vintage Must de Cartier

Much of Cartier's output in the 1980s and 90s was of a much lower quality than today. The Must de range were an attempt to appeal to a bigger market than their traditional precious metal output and are often pretty low rent on the inside, with cases that can't be repaired once the plate is worn through. Some are gold plated silver, the earlier ones are gold plated brass.

That one has no inner Cartier markings at all it seems on either movement or caseback. Even though the level of finishing on these was an order of magnitude lower than today, that would give me pause. As you can possibly tell, I am not a massive fan.

Even if legit, if there is any significant case wear or damage, leave it.

Have not seen that case shape and it appears almost square, plus movement appears unsigned. I would question its authenticity.

I have sent the pics attached here to my pal who is a watchmaker for Richemont and has worked in the JLC and Cartier dept. He thinks this is fake as he says he would have expected the movement to have been signed, even on lower price piece like this.

As noted above, the case being stainless steel is another reason to be wary, they are normally plated silver or on the early ones gold plated brass. I'd give this a wide berth personally