









833Σ
Cartier
Ref. 2488
Tank Asymètrique “Macau”
An extremely rare and commemorative limited edition yellow gold asymmetrical wristwatch with guilloche dial, left-handed crown, numbered 97 of a limited edition of 99 pieces made to celebrate Macau’s handover to the People’s Republic of China
- Estimate
- HK$120,000 - 200,000€13,600 - 22,700$15,400 - 25,600
HK$304,800
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Cartier
- Year
- Circa 1999
- Reference No
- 2488
- Movement No
- 9’408’298
- Case No
- 97/99
- Model Name
- Tank Asymètrique “Macau”
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual cal. 9P2, 18 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Crocodile
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 23.6mm width x 34mm length
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
While the Cartier Tank Asymètrique has enjoyed many variants throughout its production, the ones that celebrates specific cities are often most sought-after. To name a few: Milan, New York, Bangkok (See lot 903), and the present example the celebration of Macau’s handover to the People’s Republic of China in 1999.
Featuring classic black Roman numerals, blued steel hands and chemin-de-fer on top of the guilloche dial that is well-recognized as the brand’s DNA, this limited edition of the ref. 2488 is adorned with a clever touch. A yellow gold Breguet numeral 9 is added beside its printed 9 on the dial, forming ‘99’ a clear link to the significant year for Macau. Intriguingly, this scarce collection was produced in 99 pieces in total, with 77 of them to be right-handed edition, and only 22 pieces for left-handed. An extremely rare find, according to our research only 2 left-handed version has ever appeared publicly in the auction market. Numbered 97, this is the third piece and is presented in excellent overall condition with crisp hallmarks on the caseback. Furthermore the manual wound cal. 9P2 movement can be admired on the reverse.
For those who missed out on the release in 1999, this is an absolutely fantastic chance to seize this striking edition of the brand’s classic icon.
Featuring classic black Roman numerals, blued steel hands and chemin-de-fer on top of the guilloche dial that is well-recognized as the brand’s DNA, this limited edition of the ref. 2488 is adorned with a clever touch. A yellow gold Breguet numeral 9 is added beside its printed 9 on the dial, forming ‘99’ a clear link to the significant year for Macau. Intriguingly, this scarce collection was produced in 99 pieces in total, with 77 of them to be right-handed edition, and only 22 pieces for left-handed. An extremely rare find, according to our research only 2 left-handed version has ever appeared publicly in the auction market. Numbered 97, this is the third piece and is presented in excellent overall condition with crisp hallmarks on the caseback. Furthermore the manual wound cal. 9P2 movement can be admired on the reverse.
For those who missed out on the release in 1999, this is an absolutely fantastic chance to seize this striking edition of the brand’s classic icon.
Cartier
FrenchWith the Constitution of 1848 came a new standard for luxury in France. Founded one year prior by Louis-Francois Cartier, the house of Cartier was one of the first to use platinum in jewelry making. This incredibly expensive material became the stepping-stone for Cartier to experiment in form, mechanisms and attitude. It helped men move from pocket watches to wristwatches, effectively making the watch much more functional and prominent in a man's overall wardrobe.Cartier did not only touch on functionality. Inspired by a commissioned painting by George Barbier featuring a black panther at the feet of an elegantly bejeweled woman, Cartier began incorporating wild animals in his designs—most notably, Cartier Panthère rings, bangle bracelets and watches. Yet it wasn't until the late 1960s that the house of Cartier debuted their iconic yellow and rose gold LOVE collection, which includes the famous bracelet that only a special screwdriver can open.
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