Cartier - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII Hong Kong Friday, May 24, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Cartier
    Year: Circa 1970s
    Reference No: 15716
    Case No: 1’200’148
    Model Name: Tank
    Material: 14k gold-plated brass
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 2512, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 14K gold-plated brass Cartier pin buckle
    Dimensions: 37mm length x 27mm width
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Shrouded in mystery, this rare 14K gold-plated Tank belongs to the scarcely seen “Stepped Case” series from the 1970s - a phantom of the past treasured by scholars of vintage Cartier. With its bold proportions, the watch bears a captivating wrist presence. The stepped bezel dramatically frames the handsome black dial and painted gold Roman numerals, along with sword hands that reflect a 1970s reinterpretation of the Tank's iconic codes and geometry.

    Distinguished by its serial number beginning "12", this example was destined for the coveted New York (ref. 15716) boutique as the rarest and most prestigious reference of the three boutique editions – with approximately 2,500 examples produced as opposed to approximately 10,000 examples each made for the Paris (ref. 1543) and London (ref. 471) boutiques. Displaying superior quality details like the 14K gold-plated brass case, screw-down caseback, and recessed elongated crown, the New York edition truly stands apart amongst the trio.

    This rare vintage reference encapsulates the creative spirit of the 70s Cartier boutiques before standardization. For scholars and collectors of Cartier's most iconic silhouettes, the present timepiece represents a stylishly retro perspective on the legendary Tank design.

  • Artist Biography

    Cartier

    French

    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. 

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1055

Ref. 15716
A very rare, oversized and attractive gold-plated brass wristwatch with Roman numerals, made for the Cartier New York boutique

Circa 1970s
37mm length x 27mm width
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
HK$55,000 - 85,000 
€6,600-10,200
$7,100-10,900

Sold for HK$69,850

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2031
WatchesHK@phillips.com
 

Gertrude Wong
Head of Sale, Hong Kong
+ 852 2318 2045
gertrudewong@phillips.com
 

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XVIII

Hong Kong Auction 24 - 25 May 2024