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
CHF95,250
Lot Details
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

Introduced in 1921, the 9-ligne, Grand Tank Cintrée model was the largest and boldest variation of Cartier’s Tank line. With its long, slender, and gracefully arching case, the Cintrée is without a doubt one of the most beautiful watches made during the 20th century. Measuring a dramatic 46.5mm long by 23mm wide, the Cintrée’s highly curved case was designed to hug the curves of the wrist. The expansive dial and case combine straight lines, sensual curves, and crisp angles, resulting in a ‘modern’ wristwatch with a design far ahead of its time - so much so, in fact, that the design has spawned multiple re-editions; the latest one, just released in 2021, is a faithful hommage to the original version.
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

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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