Cartier Tank Asymétrique 18K Yellow Gold Limited Edition 300 pcs only, 1996
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:
- Case Material:
- Strap Material:Leather
- Case Shape:Asymmetrical
- Movement:
- Case Dimensions:Height: 1.3 in (33 mm)Width: 0.91 in (23 mm)Diameter: 0.91 in (23 mm)Length: 1.42 in (36 mm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1996
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Central & Western District, HK
- Reference Number:
Tank Louis Cartier Watch
With its longer case, rounded lugs and slender brancards, the Tank Louis Cartier watch is a distinctive variation on the original Tank, which recalls the boxy military machine for which it is named.
The Tank Louis Cartier was designed in 1922 by Louis Cartier (1875–1942), the grandson of Louis-François Cartier, who, in 1847, established the legendary jewelry house in Paris that bears their family name. Louis is credited with helping to strengthen the brand’s global reach and introducing timepieces to Cartier’s repertoire.
The Tank Louis Cartier was a modern and simple update to the now-legendary original Cartier Tank, which was designed to mimic the French Renault FT-17 light tanks that Louis saw during World War I — the original’s case is reminiscent of the vehicle’s cockpit, while its brancards resemble tank treads. Cartier conceived of the timepiece in 1917, and a limited production of six watches went on sale in 1919. The initial run of handmade watches sold quickly, and production ramped up. It soon became a favorite of the era’s celebrities, like actor Rudolph Valentino, who wore the timepiece throughout the entirety of the 1926 silent film The Son of the Sheik, despite it being a blatant anachronism.
The unisex Tank embodies a stark geometry inspired by technology — it could be considered a precursor to the popular Art Deco style. While the Tank Louis Cartier retained the original’s sapphire cabochon, Roman numerals and blued-steel sword-shaped hands, the variation dispensed with the prominently rigid angles of its forebear and added the softer contours that characterize the design of the beloved Tank Francaise, introduced in 1996, as well as all other contemporary Tank watches.
Cartier
For its extraordinary range of bracelets, watches, rings and other adornments, French luxury house Cartier is undeniably one of the most well known and internationally revered jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
Perhaps 1847 was not the ideal time to open a new watchmaking and jewelry business, as the French Revolution was not kind to the aristocracy who could afford such luxuries. Nevertheless, it was the year Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904) — who was born into poverty — founded his eponymous empire, assuming control of the workshop of watchmaker Adolphe Picard, under whom he had previously been employed as an assistant. Of course, in the beginning, it was a relatively modest affair, but by the late 1850s, Cartier had its first royal client, Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned the jeweler to design brooches, earrings and other accessories.
Under the leadership of Louis-François’s son, Alfred, who took over in 1874, business boomed. Royalty around the world wore Cartier pieces, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharaja of Patiala and King Edward VII, who had 27 tiaras made by the jewelry house for his coronation in 1902 and issued Cartier a royal warrant in 1904. (Today, the British royal family still dons Cartier pieces; Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, regularly sports a Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.)
Cartier’s golden years, however, began when Alfred introduced his three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, to the business. The brothers expanded Cartier globally: Louis reigned in Paris, Pierre in New York and Jacques in London, ensuring their brand’s consistency at their branches across the world. The trio also brought in such talents as Charles Jacqueau and Jeanne Toussaint.
One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, a large number of people were using only pocket watches.) Louis designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying.
Cartier’s other famous timepieces include the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I, and the so-called mystery clocks. Invented by watchmaker and magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and later crafted exclusively for Cartier in the house’s workshop by watchmaker Maurice Couët, the mystery clocks were so named because the integration of glass dials on which the clocks’ hands would seemingly float as well as structures that are hidden away within the base give the illusion that they operate without machinery.
On the jewelry side of the business, Cartier’s internationally renowned offerings include the Tutti Frutti collection, which featured colorful carved gemstones inspired by Jacques’s trip to India and grew in popularity during the Art Deco years; the panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle inspired by medieval chastity belts that transformed fine jewelry.
While the Cartier family sold the business following the death of Pierre in 1964, the brand continues to innovate today, renewing old hits and creating new masterpieces.
On 1stDibs, find a growing collection of contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Central & Western District, Hong Kong
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Vintage Cartier Tank Louis 18K Yellow Gold Manual Wind Swiss Dial 7808, 1980sBy CartierLocated in Central & Western District, HKBrand: Vintage Cartier Model: Tortue Year: 1980’s Movement: Manual Wind Serial number: 107xxxxxx Reference: C03204 Brand: Cartier Model: Tank Louis Year: 1980’s Serial Number: 78086...Category
Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Cartier Tank Louis New York 18K Yellow Gold Manual Wind Swiss Dial 1970sBy CartierLocated in Central & Western District, HKBrand: Cartier Model: Tank Louis Year: 1970’s Serial Number: 13xxxx Reference: C03808 The Tank watch has been created in several variations over the years, and all those models shar...Category
Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Tank Reverso Tank 18K White Gold Roman Indexes Paris Dial Watch, 1970sBy CartierLocated in Central & Western District, HKBrand: Cartier Model: Tank Reverso Year: 1970’s Serial number: 03xxxx Reference: C03804 An iconic piece of horological heritage, the Cartier Tank has grown from its humble roots in ...Category
Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsWhite Gold
- Cartier Tank 18K Electroplated Must de Cartier Wood Dial Mechanical Watch 1975'sBy CartierLocated in Central & Western District, HKBrand: Cartier Model: Tank Year: 1975 – 1976 Reference: OT1894 Cartier introduced the Must De Cartier Tank timepieces during the mid-1970s, these watches were meticulously crafted u...Category
Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold
- Cartier Santos Dumont 18K Yellow & White Gold Paris Dial 78225 Manual Watch 1980By CartierLocated in Central & Western District, HKBrand: Vintage Cartier Model: Santos Dumont Year: 1980’s Movement: Manual Wind Serial number: 78xxxxxxx Reference: C03225 Cartier’s one the most significant model, “The Santos Dumont” is literally the grandfather of the Cartier watch collection. With its unique sharp edges, brushed facets and unmistakable white Roman dial was first assembled in 1904 for Brazilian pilot Alberto Santos Dumont and since, it has inspired everything that followed from Cartier. Most of this model was made in 18K YG hardly seen one with two tones. Case: Show sign of wear with the 18K WG case and 18K YG bezel and case back in size 25 x 36mm without crown Dial: Excellent Aged Condition White Paris Dial w/ Roman numerals and matching blue steel hands Bracelet: w/ Leather Strap & Cartier 18K Deployment Buckle Accessories: Cartier Red Box...Category
Vintage 1980s French Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Louis Gondole 18K Yellow Gold XL Jumbo Vertical Paris Dial 9705 , 1970sBy CartierLocated in Central & Western District, HKBrand: Cartier Model: Gondole XL Jumbo Year: 1970’s Serial Number: 9705xxxxx Reference: C03896 In 1972, Cartier introduced the ‘Louis Cartier Collection’ to commemorate its relocati...Category
Vintage 1970s French Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Panthere Large 18K Yellow Gold WristwatchBy CartierLocated in Geneva, CHCartier Panthere Large Mens Watch. 29mm 18K yellow case with 18K yellow gold bezel. Off-white dial with blue steel hands and black Roman numeral...Category
Late 20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Cartier Vintage Round Ladies 18k. Yellow Gold WristwatchBy CartierLocated in Braintree, GBCartier Vintage round ladies 18k. yellow gold wristwatch. Made in Geneva, Ca.1950's Hallmarked with 750 ( A standard for 18kt. gold). Genève. Gender: Woman Case size: 25 mm Movem...Category
Vintage 1950s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsYellow Gold
- Cartier Tank Americaine Diamond 18K Yellow Gold WatchBy CartierLocated in Westport, CTAn authentic 18K yellow gold Cartier Tank Americane watch (model #: 2482) with an original diamond bezel. Mounted with 98 round brilliant cut diamonds weighing a total of approximate...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Tank Louis No Date 18k Yellow Gold WristwatchBy CartierLocated in Stamford, CTCartier Tank Louis wristwatch. The sleek rectangular 18k yellow gold 23mm case is a hallmark of Cartier's timeless heritage and craftsmanship. Parchment Roman numeral dial and new Ca...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Gold, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Tank Solo 18k Yellow Gold Watch W1018755By CartierLocated in Banbury, GBSKU AT-2420 Comes With Pouch Only Date 2009 Model W1018755 Serial Number 27*********X Metal 18k Yellow Gold Condition Excellent _________________________________________ Warranty E...Category
2010s French Wrist Watches
MaterialsBlue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Tank Divan 18k Yellow Gold Watch 2601By CartierLocated in New York, NY-Mint condition -Case size: 25x32mm -18k Yellow Gold -Movement: Quartz -Dial: Silver Dial -Blued hands -Diamond Bezel -Comes with Box, no papersCategory
2010s American Wrist Watches
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Cartier Love Bracelet
This iconic jewel has captured countless hearts with its elegant design and its amatory symbolism. Counterfeiters have taken note of the demand and created fake versions. If you’re looking for a genuine Cartier Love bracelet, it’s crucial to check all the elements for authenticity. Our guide will teach you the telltale traits of a knockoff.
The 14 Most Iconic Watches for Women
Style, craft and heritage combine to make these designs undeniable classics.