Designed personally by Louis Cartier in 1917 and patterned after an army tank, Cartier's iconic Tank watch symbolized speed, achievement, and being unstoppable.
Worn by Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, and many other elegant ladies, Cartier Tank is truly iconic in the world of vintage dress watches.
This very fine and rare version of the Tank features a Cartier caliber 168 handwound movement, a much higher grade mechanism that what's found in most other vintage Tanks. It would be similar to the more recent Collection Privee or Cartier Fine Watchmaking specialized elite level watches.
It was made by European Watch & Clock Co. In the 1920's Cartier partnered with Edmund Jaeger, one of the originators of the Jaeger-LeCoultre brand and a leader and pioneer of wristwatch production, to create the European Watch and Clock Co.
For decades Cartier had largely sourced their movements from the top Swiss housess like Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. Although they would continue to work with these firms for special orders and retail pieces, many of their top-line items began to feature EWC movements. Based in the Jaeger-LeCoultre factory, EWC movements quickly gained a reputation for being very high-grade. Today, collectors especially seek out Cartier watches from the 1930's through the 1950's that feature an EWC movement because they are most original "true Cartier" pieces and command premium prices.
Besides its very refined movement, it also has a classic white Roman dial, cabochon crown, and blued steel hands.
We love special high-grade Tanks like this. To us, given's the Tank's illustrious history of being worn by some of the most prominent and elegant indviduals that walked the plant, this is what a Tank should be - supremely elegant and also well-executed.
One of our watchmakers has just disassembled the watch down to its last screw and freshly cleaned and oiled. It is running strong and true.
If you are looking for a timelessly classic high-end ladies watch, this is a great choice.
Included with the purchase is a one-year C.O.T. warranty on the movement and its function, a custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity, and a new timing certificate.
- Manufacturer: Cartier
- Country of origin: Switzerland
- Year built: c. 1940's
- Functions: Hours and Minutes
- Designed for: Ladies
- Case material: 18K gold
- Case markings (outside): Cartier, Paris, official Cartier registration numbers, correct French hallmarks
- Case condition: Presents beautifully on the wrist. Back has been previously textured to help cover an inscription "A.C."
- Dial: White with Roman numerals, signed Cartier, restored in vintage times
- Dimensions: 20.3mm wide (excluding crown), 28mm long lug tip-to-tip
- Hands: Blue steel 'batons'
- Movement type: Cartier caliber 168 by European Watch and Clock Co., mechanical, manually wound, rhodium plated, fausses cotes decoration
- Crystal: Mineral glass, mint condition
- Band: Crocodile (aftermarket - non-Cartier), fully stitched, padded, brand new and unworn with unsigned gold-tone buckle
- Serviced: One of our watchmakers has just disassembled the watch down to its last screw and freshly cleaned and oiled. It is running strong and true.
- Timing: Timed to precision on a state-of-the-art computerized system. Your watch is important to us, and we will take care of it for its lifetime. We provide the best after sale care in the business with an experienced team of watchmakers both of whom each have over forty years of experience and a large number of parts.
- Warranty: 1-year international warranty. Please email [email protected] for details.
- Box/Papers: BOX - Connoisseur of Time watch presentation box; PAPERS - Custom printed Connoisseur of Time Certificate of Authenticity; New timing certificate
- Returns: 7 days full refund. 100% satisfaction guarantee
