Classic design doesn't get much better than this. We have here a Cartier Tank with a cream/ivory dial from the 1980s. Roman numerals sit outside the railway-style minute track and the blue steel hands make for an easy read. And of course, no Tank would be complete without Cartier's trademark cabochon winding crown.
The vermeil case, which also known as silver gilt, or gold-plated sterling silver, measures 21mm and is a very comfortable wear on the wrist. This smaller size makes it the perfect watch for ladies. Inside the case is the Swissmechanical manual windcaliber, fully serviced by us and running strongly. We've paired this watch on a brown lizard grain leather strap but it looks great on black too.
Extra Points
The Cartier Tank is over 100 years old and is still one of the most recognisable 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 Stijl. 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.
The watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with our 12 months, 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.”
If you are after a more minimal Tank, check out our other listing with a black dial here!
Spec Stuff
Reference : Tank
Movement : Mechanical Manual Wind Age :1981/1990 Specific Age :1980s Case Size : 21mm Case Thickness :10mm Lug to Lug : 29mm Lugs :15mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : No Case Material : 18ct Gold over Sterling Silver 925 Service History : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
1980s Cartier Ladies Tank 925 Sterling Silver Gilt Vermeil Mechanical Manual Wind with Classic Roman Dial
