Cartier Tank "New York"

[s1nn3d]

Hi!

I have this Cartier Tank that was handed down to me by father after I graduated in High School. It's a heirloom, in other words. Unfortunately, being young then with no sense of provenance and preferring instead more popular and brand new watches, I subsequently neglected and basically have forgotten this heirloom until recently.

In such bad condition, I went to the local Cartier service center to have it totally reconditioned. As the watch was being inspected, I was surprised of being told that the timepiece I have is not a Cartier Tank Swiss but rather a Cartier Tank New York. So I asked what exactly do they mean. I know it's not fake cause I know first hand that my father bought it from the sole Cartier AD in our country way back circa 80's, in which the very service center I went to is owned and run by it as well. In response to my query, they said it's not a fake Cartier watch. It is a genuine Cartier watch but it is not Swiss made but rather made by Cartier New York, or something to that effect.

My call for help (which I am humbly asking from Cartier watch owners, enthusiasts and collectors) comes in two parts.

First. Can someone enlighten me about this two versions or make? Is there such a thing? What's the history of it?

Second. After the service center made a total inspection of the watch, the cost for the total overhaul and restoration of the watch, is roughly 4,000 USD. And here's the catch, almost nothing from the original watch will remain. Not even the dial and the hands. It would basically be brand new. So, I ask, is it worth it? What's the best alternative that I can do?

I really want to restore the watch to its old glory considering it's the first watch my father handed down to me. So any suggestions, remarks or comments will be much appreciated.

Here are some pictures of the watch. One will notice that on the sides of the case, there are no screws. That's the only immediate noticeable difference that I could see. The dimension is also different. This 'version' is more squarish than the Swiss made version.