Cartier: A gold mechanical rectangular wristwatch Y
Louis Cartier Collection "Tank Normale", Ref.78092, circa 1975
Estimate: £15,000 - £20,000
Auction: 29 April 2025 from 14:00 BST
Description
Hand-wound mechanical movement, white dial with black Roman numerals, blued steel hands, 18 carat yellow gold rectangular case with French assay marks, cabochon-set crown, on strap with 18 carat yellow gold Cartier deployant buckle. Case, dial and movement signed Cartier. Dimensions 23 x 30mm.
Footnote
Launched in 1973 as part of the Louis Cartier Collection of twelve watches as the ‘Tank Normale,' Ref.78092.
The model was based on the original Cartier Paris Tank with a slightly thicker case and wider sides, more closely resembling the proportions of a Tank land craft that inspired the original design. Made in very limited numbers, it is plausible the Tank Normale wasn't as popular as the more refined Tank Louis, hence their rarity today.
The same model, titled ‘Tank Normale Wristwatch’ and attributed to 1973 is illustrated in Chaille, François and Cologni, Franco, The Cartier Collection; Timepieces, Flammarion, 2006, page 467.