WHY WE CURATED IT:
The importance of Must de Cartier Tanks is often overlooked. They were instrumental in saving Cartier 50 years ago when the economic boom of post-WWII France faded, and with it, demand for luxury. Further, cheap mass-produced quartz watches were flooding in from Asia. Cartier’s solution? Make accessible versions of the (otherwise full-gold) iconic Tank LC but in gold-plated silver (so still fully precious metal), and fitting them with Swiss quartz calibres. This took the market by storm and kept Cartier’s watch business afloat, unlike much of their European counterparts. This historical piece is in the small size, with a “lemon Roman” dial, black sword hands, and signature chemin de fer track. Over 90% were quartz, but this one is manual. Comes with original box, strap, buckle. Classy, classic and oh-so-demure!
CONDITION:
9/10, with minimal light hairlines. Crystal has a few tiny marks visible only under a loupe. Hands clean. Lacquer dial has subtle spidering, a lot less than normal for the age and indicate unreplaced originality. Caseback engravings/hallmarks deep and crisp. Original Cartier strap in usable used condition. Original Cartier buckle has light hairlines. Movement in very good health with above-spec power reserve, strong amplitude, low beat error and accuracy ±10 secs/day averaged from 6 timegrapher positions.
DIMENSIONS:
20.5mm width excl. crown
28mm length incl. lugs
5.8mm thickness
15mm lug width
Visual dial width ~15mm
Wrist in photos is 15.8cm
CRYSTAL:
Mineral glass
CASE:
925 silver, 20 micron gold-plating
CASEBACK:
Screws on case sides
WATER RESISTANCE:
Assumed none, per vintage watches
STRAP:
Original Cartier brown lizard (used), original Cartier buckle (14mm), new aftermarket gloss black croc-embossed
CALIBRE:
Cartier Cal. 78-1 (ETA 2512), 2-hand manual-winding
COMES WITH:
Watch, Cartier box, original Cartier strap and buckle, aftermarket strap
TERMS OF SALE:
Please see our stories Highlight entitled “Terms” on our Instagram profile. Thanks!
