Watches

The Cartier Tank was one of the first wristwatches. Full stop! Inspired by the Renault Tanks used on the battlefield in WWI — yes, true story. Revolutionary at the time, Louis Cartier took inspiration from the profile of the treads on a period Renault tank, and based the case on them by way of the of brancards doubling as the lugs themselves. Over the course of the 20th Century, the Tank became the watch to wear. Silent movie stars like Rudolph Valentino, artists like Andy Warhol, and even Jackie Kennedy were all fans of the signature timepiece from the King of Jewelers and the Jeweler of Kings. An icon indeed in the truest sense of the word. The model was first introduced in a few different case shapes which bore different names that intertwine with the inspiration behind them.  Perhaps the most significant, well-known, and debatably desirable of these first pieces, the Tank Louis Cartier, was introduced in 1922 and was named after Louis Cartier himself. When people think of a Cartier Tank, theres a good change that this is the model that comes to mind. The Tank that we have here is a variation of that original model — though with a few very subtle differences than most Tank LCs... Dating to circa 1965, it features a 23mm x 31mm rectangular case in excellent condition for its age, showing signs of only a very light previous polishing and normal wear. The dial within is white with printed black 'Roman' numeral indices we well as a 'chemin de fer' minute rack and an always beautiful blued-steel 'sword' handset — which is complimented that ubiquitous blue sapphire cabochon crown. The best part about this particular tank is hidden within the case in the form of a few hallmarks that denote this piece was retailed at Cartier in London — giving it the colloquial name "London Tank." Accompanied by a Cartier signed strap with a period yellow gold deployant clasp, this is probably what you think of when you hear "Cartier Tank" and thats for good reason. This one has a rare hidden twist for one lucky owner. Condition: Case: Lightly polished showing normal wear and sleeve polish from age and use throughout. Dial: Good condition overall showing light wear and 'matting' throughout with no excessive edge wear. Matching blued-steel 'sword' handset. Bracelet: Pictured Cartier signed black alligator strap with yellow gold deployant clasp (sized for ≈ 7.3" wrist). Shipping: All watches will be shipped via FedEx Insured Priority Overnight shipping. International shipping will be shipped via FedEx International Priority Express, always fully insured. This service is included in the listed price and will not incur any additional fees. All watches are shipped 1-2 business days after receiving payment confirmation by Chrono24. We are unable to ship watches on Saturday or Sunday. Our Policy: We service or perform necessary maintenance to the extent necessary to all of our watches, unless otherwise noted. All watches are listed and sold running and functioning as intended. Our Guarantee: Through rigorous vetting of each watch offered, we’re able to guarantee authenticity of our pieces. Ultimately, your satisfaction is our mission, as is helping you get YOUR perfect watch. If you have any questions at all, we will get back to you ASAP. Each of our timepieces are vetted, evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our experienced team of experts and watchmakers prior to sale. We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise disclosed. We guarantee the authenticity of each watch in perpetuity.

The Cartier Tank is an iconic luxury watch that has stood the test of time with its distinctive design. First created in 1917 by Louis Cartier, the Tank was inspired by the horizontal section of a Renault tank seen from above. Its aesthetic has become a hallmark of elegance, featuring a rectangular case, roman numerals, and chemin de fer chapter ring. The Tank family has expanded to include various models such as the Tank Francaise, Tank Louis Cartier, Tank Americaine, and Tank Solo, among others. Its appeal crosses gender lines and has been worn by a diverse group of influential figures throughout history.