CARTIER, COLLECTION PRIVEE, TANK BASCULANTE, LIMITED EDITION TO ONLY 15 PIECES, (1847-1997) TO COMMEMORATE THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF CARTIER

ICONEEK price: SOLD

Iconeek is proud to introduced here a very rare and attractive, limited edition, 18K gold rectangular reversible wristwatch: the Tank Basculante

The Cartier "Tank Basculante" model was launched to the market in 1932. Famous actor Gary Cooper was photographed wearing the model. Paying tribute to the 1930s model, the present watch was created in 1997 as part of "Collections Privées de Cartier" in a very limited series of only 15 pieces to celebrate the House of Cartier's 150th anniversary.

Under the patent no. CH162787, on July 1st 1932, the « Cabriolet Reversible » wristwatch is born. Fruit of the collaboration of  Le Coultre, César de Trey of Spécialités Horlogers in Lausanne and Jaeger in Paris, this patent reserved for Cartier, the model is similar to the famous Jaeger Reverso, with a reversible case, except that for the reverso the sliding is perpendicular to the main body, while the Cabriolet Reversible needs an elevation of the cradle and then make a 360 degree turn on a central axis. Pros: the system is well secured and well protected inside the main body, no setting time by accident can happen, the construction is thiner than the Reverso. Cons: the system need more « space » to make its revolution, the construction is more delicate, no quick time adjustment. Like the Reverso, the main purpose was to protect the crystal and consequently the dial during sporting activities.

The model comes with caliber 40P, finely engraved, mechanical, hand wound, jewelled movement, monometallic balance, flat balance spring, shock absorbers. Under the sapphire crystal, a mint and attractive two-tone silvered dial, guilloche in the center, signed Cartier Paris, with painted radial Arabic numerals, inner minute track, blued steel Epée hands. The gold tank-shaped rectangular main case with 4 four screws to secured the two elongated vertical rounded « lugs », gold screwed bars to secured the bracelet, is holding the cabochon-set gold rectangular cradle with  central axis to allow the complete rotation of the gold case holding the movement.

The present watch is number 13 of a limited edition of 15 examples made to celebrate Cartier's 150th anniversary. The present watch comes with a Cartier leather strap and an 18K yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp. Dial, case and movement are signed.

Very limited, well-born, iconic, a timeless beauty, no reason to hesitate !

Condition: 8.5/10, in extremely good overall condition, very few signs of wear in places