WHY WE CURATED IT:
There are many Cartier Tank shape variations across 106 years, but only one with structural functionality: the Basculante (aka Cabriolet depending on era). With a clever pivoting bracket architecture for flipping around to protect the glass/dial during sports (crystals were once fragile). First launched in 1932, a year after JLC’s Reverso debut. Some think Cartier copied JLC, but we think one year isn’t enough to “copy”, improve upon, start production, and begin marketing, distribution and retail. The flipping axis and mechanisms are entirely different, and executed with half the parts and half the thickness, with the bonus of an upright “desk clock” ability. These 90s gems were also the first ever steel Tanks, and have never been reissued since. The version here is the smaller quartz one with grey textured dial and Arabic numerals, and the most affordable Basculante today. A very collectible, and one of the most interesting Tanks ever!
CONDITION:
9/10, with slight hairlines and a couple tiny nicks. Crystal, dial, and hands are clean. Sharp caseback engravings with protective stickers still present. New aftermarket leather strap and buckle. Original Cartier deployant included. Movement healthy and quartz-accurate.
DIMENSIONS:
22.2mm width
32.7mm length incl. lugs
6.2mm thickness
16mm lug width
Visual dial width ~12.5mm
Wrist in photos 15.8cm
CRYSTAL:
Sapphire
CASE:
Steel
WATER RESISTANCE:
Assumed none, per vintage watches
STRAP:
Aftermarket black leather (new), aftermarket buckle (14mm), original Cartier deployant included
CALIBRE:
Cartier Cal. 059, 2-hander quartz
COMES WITH:
Watch, aftermarket strap and buckle, original Cartier deployant, Cartier box and booklet
TERMS OF SALE:
Please see our stories Highlight entitled “Terms” on our Instagram profile. Thanks!
