Manufacturer: Cartier Year: Circa 2000s Reference No: 2484H Case No: 0577MG Model Name: Collection Privée Cartier Paris Tank à Vis Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 437MC, 18 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp Dimensions: 27mm length x 31mm width Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Cartier instruction manual, Cartier service invoice dated 2019 and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Between 1998 and 2008, the Collection Privée Cartier Paris revived Cartier's iconic designs from the previous century, such as the Crash and the Tank Cintrée, pairing them with high-quality mechanical movements. Many of these historically significant designs had not been in production for decades, underscoring the Maison's commitment to celebrating its rich heritage.
The genesis of the Tank à Vis is a captivating tale. Legend has it that in 1931, the Pasha of Marrakesh requested a wristwatch suitable for pool wear, leading to the creation of the Tank Étanche. This innovative timepiece, with a case tightly secured by screws, was essentially waterproof. The Tank Étanche served as a strong influence for the Tank à Vis, which later made its debut in the Collection Privée Cartier Paris.
Exemplifying the CPCP's dedication to showcasing true artisanship, the Tank à Vis stands out as a remarkable timepiece in Cartier's legacy, carving a distinctive niche within the Tank collection today
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.