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Cartier Tank Louis Ref. 78086 - 'Swiss' Dial Unpolished
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 example that we have here is one of those pieces. Dating to the late 1970s, it features an excellent 23mm x 31mm rectangular case in unpolished condition, with clear and defined hallmarks and no notable damage or blemishes to speak of. The white enamel 'Swiss' signed dial inside is also very nice, with seemingly none of the common fracturing and only faint stippling present when inspected with a loupe. The white surface remains crisp and clean, 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.
This piece is not only an excellent example fit for any collection, but a piece worthy of the iconic nomenclature that it bears.
Condition Report & Details
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Shipping, Returns, & Warranty
Every Oliver & Clarke timepiece comes with a one-year mechanical warranty starting from the date of delivery. We ensure all watches are in wonderful working condition and are ready for daily wear. Many have been fully serviced by our team of watchmakers.
Please note:
- Due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, they may not keep time as accurately as when new, nor as precisely as quartz or electronic devices.
- We do not guarantee water resistance and do not warranty against moisture or water damage. Deliberate exposure to water or steam is not recommended.
Warranty Exclusions:
- Internal or external damage caused by accidents, mishandling, abuse, modifications, or services performed by anyone other than our authorized personnel.
- Our warranty is non-transferable.
The Oliver & Clarke Guarantee
At Oliver & Clarke, we meticulously vet each watch to ensure its authenticity and quality. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and our mission is to help you find the perfect timepiece. If you have any questions, we are here to assist you promptly.
Our Guarantee:
- Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
- We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise stated.
- The authenticity of each watch is guaranteed in perpetuity.
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Cartier Tank Louis Ref. 78086 - 'Swiss' Dial UnpolishedSale price$8,250.00 USD Regular price
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