Manufacturer: Cartier Year: Circa 2000 Reference No: 400-89 Case No: A’105’430 Model Name: Tonneau Double Fuseau Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Quartz Bracelet/Strap: Lizard Clasp/Buckle: Gold plated pin buckle Dimensions: 26mm width by 46mm length Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
Introduced in 1906, the Cartier Tonneau is a barrel-shaped wristwatch precursory to tastes of the Art Deco era that would soon follow. Both bold and proportionally ideal, today’s Tonneau remains one of the most iconic and elegant timepieces, retaining its original grandeur parallel to its predecessors.
Distinctive with its barrel-shaped curves, the present Tonneau Double Fuseau wears elegantly due to its slim and rounded case that perfectly caresses the contours of the wrist. The elongated profile of this piece is beautifully balanced by the symmetrical pairing of the dual time zone complication, stacked on top of one another. The top half of the dial features the iconic Cartier Tank configuration with large black Roman numerals, while the second time zone on the lower half is differentiated by its painted Roman numerals on the quarters. Each time zone has its own designated sapphire cabochon topped crown, allowing the wearer to adjust them separately without restraint.
Tastefully executed, the present yellow gold Tonneau Double Fuseau is preserved in overall excellent conditions and is a gem that should not be passed up by true Cartier enthusiasts.
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.