840Σ︎
Cartier
Ref. 1601 1
Tank Louis Cartier
A well-preserved and attractive platinum wristwatch with Roman numerals
Full-Cataloguing
- Hailing from the early 1990s before Cartier's limited-edition Privée collection
- Highly rare platinum case with crisp hallmarks
- Exceptionally well-preserved
Launched in 1917, the Cartier Tank was designed by Louis Cartier after viewing the Renault FT-17 military tanks on the Western Front during World War I, its clean rectangular lines and geometric simplicity broke decisively with the ornate curves that had dominated watch design. It quickly became a symbol of avant-garde style, adored by movie stars, heads of state, and connoisseurs alike. Among the myriad models that followed, one stands as the purest distillation of the original vision: the Tank Louis Cartier.
Introduced in 1922, Louis Cartier himself wore the watch bearing his name, an association that marks the Tank Louis as the quintessence of the collection. The present example, dating to the 1990s, hails from the pre-CPCP era, a time before Cartier Privée Collection Paris limited editions, prized by collectors for representing a more traditional chapter in the Maison's history.
This particular Tank Louis is executed in platinum, a rare choice for the model, paired with a sapphire cabochon winding crown. The white guilloché dial features printed Roman numerals and blued-steel "sword" hands, powered by a manually-wound movement within its refined case.
The Tank Louis Cartier remains an essential addition for to any watch collection. This 1990s example is very well-preserved with platinum case and pre-CPCP, offering a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a true icon at the intersection of horological history coupled with Cartier’s timeless elegance.
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.