1063Σ︎
Cartier
Tank Obus "Rectangulaire à Pattes Vis Armurier"
A rare and attractive white gold wristwatch with black enamel bezel
Full-Cataloguing
- Extremely rare black enamel bezel variation of the Tank Obus
- Faceted diamonds on the four lugs
- Ultra-thin movement
First introduced in 1923, the Cartier Tank Obus stands out as a bold departure from the conventional Tank design, offering a unique take on the iconic collection. Unlike the classic rectangular profile of the Tank, the Obus features a square case with distinctive bullet-shaped lugs—aptly named "Obus," meaning "shell" in French. These rounded lugs create a striking contrast against the sharp corners of the case, giving the watch its unmistakable character.
Extremely rare with only a handful of examples appearing in the market publicly, the present Rectangulaire à Pattes Vis Armurier showcases the Tank Obus' signature design with a modern twist. Cased in 18K white gold, it features faceted diamonds on the lug screws, a “Paris” signed silver guilloché dial with chemin de fer minute track, and a sleek black enamel bezel adorned with Roman numerals.
Powered by a manual winding 9P2 movement, the ultra-thin construct allows the watch to maintain a slim profile. The caseback is stamped with "double eagle heads" hallmark. Preserved in excellent overall condition, this rare and captivating Cartier Tank variation is a true collector’s piece, certain to draw admiration from enthusiasts of the Maison’s most distinctive designs.
Cartier
FrenchWith the Constitution of 1848 came a new standard for luxury in France. Founded one year prior by Louis-Francois Cartier, the house of Cartier was one of the first to use platinum in jewelry making. This incredibly expensive material became the stepping-stone for Cartier to experiment in form, mechanisms and attitude. It helped men move from pocket watches to wristwatches, effectively making the watch much more functional and prominent in a man's overall wardrobe.
Cartier did not only touch on functionality. Inspired by a commissioned painting by George Barbier featuring a black panther at the feet of an elegantly bejeweled woman, Cartier began incorporating wild animals in his designs—most notably, Cartier Panthère rings, bangle bracelets and watches. Yet it wasn't until the late 1960s that the house of Cartier debuted their iconic yellow and rose gold LOVE collection, which includes the famous bracelet that only a special screwdriver can open.