The Cartier "Tank Basculante" model was launched to the market in 1932.
The main purpose of this breakthrough system allowed the complete 360 degree rotation of the case to thus protect the crystal and consequently the dial during sporting activities, very similar to the role of the famous Reverso by Jaeger LeCoultre.
Similar to the Reverso, its development was a joint collaboration between Le Coultre, César de Trey of Spécialités Horlogers in Lausanne and Jaeger in Paris, resulting in the patent for the watch in 1932 reserved for Cartier. It was initially known as the "Cabriolet Reversible".
The rarity of this present watch is furthermore enhanced by the beautiful condition case, still clearly engraved with the Cartier numbers, and original aged dial.
With 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.