.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
In splendidly original condition, this incredibly rare and early ‘Tank Basculante’ retains its original painted dial which has now naturally aged and mellowed to a pleasing ivory colour. The movement is by the European Watch and Clock Co. Inc., a partnership with Cartier that began in the 1920s and is most valued by collectors.
The appreciation and understanding of Cartier’s early wristwatches increases year on year and any significant rarity that appears at auction creates international interest and is fiercely pursued by collectors. Always one of the ultimate symbols of taste and luxury, only very small numbers of wristwatches were made during Cartier’s golden age in the first half of the 20th century, even fewer have survived to the present day. Perfectly epitomizing the glamour and elegance of the Art Deco era, the present watch is a particularly significant example of the seldom seen Tank Basculante and a great rarity.
Always very exclusive and one of the most fascinating of Cartier’s ‘Tank’ models, the ‘Cabriolet Reversible’ or ‘Tank Basculante’ model was introduced into the market in 1933, two years after Jaeger LeCoultre’s ‘Reverso’. The main purpose of this ingenious system was similarly allowing the complete 360 degree rotation of the case around the horizontal axis, was to protect the crystal and consequently the dial during sporting activities.
Its development was a joint collaboration between LeCoultre, César de Trey of Spécialités Horlogers SA in Lausanne and Jaeger Paris, resulting in the patent for a watch in 1932 reserved for Cartier and known initially as ‘Cabriolet Reversible’. The case pivoted lengthwise within an articulated frame and the integrated winding crown was placed at 12 o'clock.
The appreciation and understanding of Cartier’s early wristwatches increases year on year and any significant rarity that appears at auction creates international interest and is fiercely pursued by collectors. Always one of the ultimate symbols of taste and luxury, only very small numbers of wristwatches were made during Cartier’s golden age in the first half of the 20th century, even fewer have survived to the present day. Perfectly epitomizing the glamour and elegance of the Art Deco era, the present watch is a particularly significant example of the seldom seen Tank Basculante and a great rarity.
Always very exclusive and one of the most fascinating of Cartier’s ‘Tank’ models, the ‘Cabriolet Reversible’ or ‘Tank Basculante’ model was introduced into the market in 1933, two years after Jaeger LeCoultre’s ‘Reverso’. The main purpose of this ingenious system was similarly allowing the complete 360 degree rotation of the case around the horizontal axis, was to protect the crystal and consequently the dial during sporting activities.
Its development was a joint collaboration between LeCoultre, César de Trey of Spécialités Horlogers SA in Lausanne and Jaeger Paris, resulting in the patent for a watch in 1932 reserved for Cartier and known initially as ‘Cabriolet Reversible’. The case pivoted lengthwise within an articulated frame and the integrated winding crown was placed at 12 o'clock.