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 pure class with an inky black lacquer dial, gilt sword hands, Cartier signatures and little else. Over 90% were quartz, but this early one was still manual. Minimalist, versatile elegance doesn’t get better than this!
CONDITION:
8/10, with some light hairlines but does not appear to have been refinished. Crystal clean with minimal small microscopic scuffs. Hands have some aging and lacquer dial has the subtlest spidering, a lot less than normal for the age and indicate unreplaced originality. Caseback engravings/hallmarks deep and crisp. Original Cartier buckle has fine hairlines but overall very good. New aftermarket strap. Movement in excellent health with to-spec power reserve, high amplitude, very low beat error and accuracy ±15 secs/day averaged from 6 timegrapher positions.
DIMENSIONS:
23.5mm width excl. crown
30.9mm length incl. lugs
6.8mm thickness
17.5mm lug width
Visual dial width ~16.5mm
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:
Aftermarket gloss black croc-embossed (used), original Cartier buckle (16mm)
CALIBRE:
Cartier Cal. 78/1 (ETA 2512), 2-hand manual-winding
COMES WITH:
Watch, original Cartier buckle, aftermarket strap
TERMS OF SALE:
Please see our stories Highlight entitled “Terms” on our Instagram profile. Thanks!
