Manufacturer: Cartier Year: Circa 2006 Reference No: W26055L1 Movement No: 120 Case No: 886689CE, 1741 Model Name: Tank Americaine XL Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 2000-1, 20 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Cartier pin buckle Dimensions: 36.5mm length x 26.5mm width Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Cartier certificate dated 7th April 2006 stamped Cartier Old Bond Street London, instruction manual and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
The Cartier Tank was introduced first in 1917, making it one of the earliest serially manufactured wristwatches, while over 80% of the industry were still predominantly manufacturing pocket watches. Since its initial release of the Tank, the model remains in production till date and have since become a pillar model in the lineage of Cartier timepieces.
In modern times, the Cartier Tank has enjoyed many variations with complicated examples, varying sizes as well as metals. Launched in the early 2000s, the Cartier Tank Americaine 1741 features an oversized case compared to its early releases measuring a “whopping” 36.5mm length x 26.5mm width. However, in today’s trend, the case dimension can only be considered as perfect, as it can be worn by both ladies and gentlemen.
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.