No Reserve

1042

Cartier

Ref. 2684H

Collection Privée Cartier Paris Tank Chinoise

A rare, well-preserved and elegant square-shaped pink gold wristwatch with guilloché dial

Estimate
HK$100,000 - 150,000•
€12,000 - 18,000
$12,800 - 19,200
HK$139,700

Catalogue Essay

Making timeless design is truly a forte for Cartier, and this Tank Chinoise CPCP truly exemplifies this statement. A design born in 1922, an entire century ago dating back to the maison’s early days, Louis Cartier travelled far and wide to search for inspiration from the exotics, the mysterious “Far East” to build the family empire. From architecture, artworks, chinoiseries and many more, the influence of East Asian art was a hit during the mid-18th century. Taking the linear language seen from his travels, a new breed of Cartier Tank was born, the Tank Chinoise.

The square is a foundational element amongst Chinese culture, symbolizing the shape of earth and balance. Combined with the iconic Tank with two bold brancards, the design of the Tank Chinoise remained nearly unchanged throughout 100 years.

The present Tank Chinoise CPCP celebrates this exceptional creation by staying true to its original with a modern touch. Recreated during the Collection Privée era begun from 1998, the present edition was exclusively produced for 3 years from 2005 to 2008 and was available in two metals: pink gold and platinum. Defined with the same silhouette like its original design from 1922, the modern iteration is sized up to fit today’s taste. Furthermore, the dial features the “Cartier Paris” signature on top of an exquisite guilloché dial that radiates from its iconic CPCP rosette motif from the centre. Boasting all distinctive elements of the CPCP collection, the Tank Chinoise is a must have for Cartier collectors.

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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