The Cartier Tank is over 100 years old and is still one of the most recognizable watch designs ever made. It was inspired by the top view of the First World War Tanks, where the tracks ran around the body of the vehicle, and during an age where machines were inspiring design everywhere through design movement including Cubism, Bauhaus and de Still. When it was first designed in 1919, the simple design followed Louis Cartier’s design codes from his earlier wristwatches; the railway-style minute tracking, Roman numerals, blue steel hands, the cabochon winding crown and, Cartier’s own invention, the deployment buckle. It was also at this time that Edmond Jaeger designed the movements, which were made by LeCoultre. In the 50 years since the first Cartier Tank was sold, only 6,000 were ever produced (6 were produced in the first year and 33 in the second), making Tanks from this age incredibly rare.
It wasn’t until 1976 that the in-house Must de Cartier Tank was launched, the first product in the in-house Must line. These Tanks were made of vermeil, or silver gilt, which is gold-plated sterling silver. This made the new line more affordable whilst still having the prestige of being made from a precious metal. Various sizes, dial colours and finishes were then produced for both men and women. The Must de Cartier line was faded out at the beginning of the 21st century.
Extra Points
There really is a Cartier Tank to suit everyone's tastes. Here we have a beautiful, traditional piece with a gorgeous black, onyx-type dial. This piece is a vintage, original, mechanical, manual winding model so no battery's here! This is an original, vintage, mechanical piece.
Complete with the trademark cabochon winding crown, this watch also comes with a genuine brown lizard strap (non-branded) and in one of our green presentation boxes
This watch has been fully serviced by our on-site workshop and comes with our 12 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
Cartier Tanks have been worn by the greats throughout its lifetime including Fred Astaire, Jackie Kennedy, Michelle Obama and Princess Diana. Andy Warhol famously said, “I don’t wear a Tank to tell the time. In fact, I never wind it. I wear a Tank because it’s the watch to wear.”
Spec Stuff
Reference : 137605
Movement : Mechanical Manual Wind Age :1971/1980 Specific Age :Circa 70s Case Size : 20mm Case Thickness : 8mm Lug to Lug : 28mm Lugs :14mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : No Case Material : 18ct Gold Over Sterling Silver 925 Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1970s Cartier Ladies Tank Mechanical Manual Wind with Black Onyx-Type Dial
