Cartier Tank Louis - 'Paris' Dial 1960s

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 20^th 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 example that we have here is one of those pieces. Dating to the mid-1960s, it features an excellent rectangular case with the classic 23mm x 31mm proportions. It comes to us having been very lightly previously polished retaining clear and present hallmarks and engravings throughout. It shows light signs of wear with no blemishes or damage of note. The white enamel 'Paris' signed dial inside is also excellent, seemingly absent of the common fracturing and only faint stippling present when inspected with a loupe. The white surface remains clean, with printed black 'Roman' numeral indices we well as a 'chemin de fer' minute track and an always beautiful blued-steel 'sword' handset — which is complimented that ubiquitous blue sapphire cabochon crown.

This piece is not only an excellent example fit for any collection, but a piece worthy of the iconic nomenclature that it bears.