


46
Cartier
Tank Cintrée
A rare and very well preserved large yellow gold curved wristwatch with movement by European Watch & Clock Co.
- Estimate
- CHF30,000 - 60,000€30,700 - 61,300$32,800 - 65,600
- Manufacturer
- Cartier
- Year
- Circa 1950
- Case No
- 23473, 31619, 4801 and inside caseback stamped 23473
- Model Name
- Tank Cintrée
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, 19 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 46.5mm Length and 23mm Width
- Signed
- Case, dial and movement signed, clasp with Cartier hand stamped numbers, movement and case furthermore signed by European Watch & Clock Co. Inc France
Catalogue Essay
Fitted with a movement by European Watch & Clock Co, the present watch is a wonderful example of a Tank Cintrée from approximately 1950 by Cartier Paris. Featuring strong hallmarks throughout the case, this watch is preserved in exceptional condition, displaying a combination of brushed and polished with sharp finishes, evidencing a lack of intervention to the watch. It furthermore shows Cartier's fine and superior craftsmanship.
The case is particularly large for a 1950s watch, with the rectangular curved case sitting incredibly well on the wrist, showcasing Cartier's eye for design and proportions. The dial is preserved in excellent condition, with hardly any blemishes or tarnishing. It moreover retains its yellow gold folding deployant clasp which is also hallmarked for France and "EJ" for Edmond Jaeger.
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.