A solid eighteen carat yellow gold mechanical Cartier Tank with gold deployant and fine mesh bracelet. Perhaps one of the most iconic watches of all time (and certainly one that has been desired by and worn by some of the most celebrated figures of the 20th Century to this current day). In fact, it feels that this special gem of watch design is actually entering into a renaissance in its desirability and collectibility – especially original mechanical examples from this era.
The watch has all the details that Cartier lovers flock to the brand for – the Roman numeral dial with the hidden signature at the seven o’clock position, chemin de fer minute track, sword blued steel hands and a blue sapphire set winding crown. The dial is in excellent condition with no signs of crazing or damage from moisture or dirt, as can often be the case with these watches that can suffer from not being very tightly sealed. The case shows signs of light polishing over the years, but is not over polished, and all of the stamping and unique Cartier reference numbers are still visible on the case back
The watch is powered by a manually wound, ETA 2512 caliber mechanical movement. This seventeen jewel movement features incabloc shock protection and is a fairly rudimentary, but reliable, movement that powered the vast number of Cartier watches from the mid 1970’s through to the early 1980’s.
The watch sits on a fine and beautifully made solid eighteen carat yellow gold mesh bracelet, seamlessly joining the case and opened through the traditional Cartier deployant butterfly clasp on the back center. The inside of which is fully stamped with Cartier control marks and gold assay marks. This bracelet is not fixed to the watch itself. It is held on by two long screws that run through the lugs of the watch, meaning that if there was a desire to have it on a leather band, this is wholly possible (which can be attached to the Cartier deployant as well). This is also attached to the end of the mesh by two long screws, which can be removed and then threaded through a custom made band. The bracelet currently measures approximately seven inches in length.
Overall, this is a wonderful example of the classic Cartier icon. It has the added benefit of this soft and very wearable mesh bracelet. A watch that worked for the likes of Jackie O. and Andy Wahol is one that cannot be left out of any serious watch collection.
