CartierTank New York

The Tank is the most iconic of all Cartier’s designs, many others of which also deserve that status. It has spawned many variants and special editions, but original Tank watches from the first 50 years of production are relatively rare.

Prior to 1979, Paris, London and New York were separate businesses and the Tanks produced in London and New York are even fewer in number. Each location added its own design flair to the classic tank and this example from 1950’s New York adds elegant lines of black enamel to the long edges of the rectangular case. The dial design is minimalist with the Roman numerals reduced to just the quarters and losing their serifs while the minute track has no outer edges.

The case is stamped Cartier Inc but was actually made in Paris; a rare detail as gold watches were usually cased locally to avoid import tax. The buckle is contemporary to the watch and is stamped Cartier NYC. The movement is stamped European Watch & Clock Co Inc. a joint venture between Cartier and Edmund Jaeger.

This watch is offered in good overall condition for it’s age. It does not come with box or papers.

The dial is clean and mark free. The crystal is clear with no significant marks or scratches. The case has a few marks and areas of light tarnish but retains its original polish lines and definition. The case back engravings are worn. The crown is possibly a service replacement, a common occurrence during the life of the watch. The buckle has marks and scratches commensurate with age but functions correctly and closes securely. The strap is new and unmarked.

All watches offered for sale are searched and cleared against The Watch Register database and a certificate is available to the winning bidder upon request.

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