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143

Cartier

Tank L.C.

A rare and attractive yellow gold wristwatch with bracelet

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This iconic Tank L.C. from the 1970s really showcases Cartier's ingenuity by merging fine jewelry with horological know-how. The model is accompanied by a luxurious yellow gold "Grain de Riz" bracelet, which is heavy, fluid and very finely made, really evoking the aesthetic of the 1970s. Cased in yellow gold, it represents the most classic iteration of the Tank model. The Tank L.C was first introduced in 1922, featuring slightly softer angles than the original Tank.

The present watch was furthermore retailed at Cartier Paris, evidenced by the eagle's head hallmark and Cartier Paris hand stamped numbers. The case is also stamped with the maker's mark, EJ, for Edmond Jaeger. At the time of production, Cartier watches were made in conjunction with Edmond Jaeger, who worked with LeCoultre to manufacture movements of the utmost quality.

Prior to uniting the company in the early 1970s, Cartier operated under separate branches in London, Paris and New York. Cartier Paris was spearheaded under the helm of Louis Cartier, and the present watch is among the last 'Cartier Paris' examples ever produced.

Cartier

French

With 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. 

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