Cartier
Tank Cintree 18K Yellow Gold

Cartier Tank Cintree Dual Time Paris in 18K Yellow Gold

Offered here is a stunning example of the Cartier Tank Cintree Dual Time Paris in 18K Yellow Gold with Black Crocodile leather strap. Manufactured circa 1980.

The origin of the Cartier Tank design is a well-known and often-told tale. Louis Cartier saw the new Renault tanks that were dominating the front line of the First World War and their symmetrical shape struck a chord. The result was the launch of a unique case shape that has become synonymous with the brand, having since been reimagined and adapted many times over. Possibly one of the most enigmatic and captivating of these variants is the Cintrée.

The story of how the Cintrée came to be is a little less clear. Initially released two years after the Tank, its elongated form was rather radical at the time. “We know exactly how the Tank was designed,” says Harry Fane, a vintage Cartier expert who has been handling these pieces for over forty years. “However, we don’t know when they sat down, and how they decided to design the Cintrée.”

Though the Cintrée has appeared in a range of different configurations, there are a few fundamental features of the original Paris models which define the quintessential Cintrée. The first Cintrée watches came in three sizes, which were dictated by the measurements of the movements which powered them. These came in 7, 8 and 9 ligne – with ligne being a unit of measurement for movements – which made a drastic difference to the overall proportions of the cases. The largest 9 ligne Cintrée reached a staggering 46.5mm in length as it wrapped around the wrist and was 23mm wide.

This yellow 18k gold classically styled Cintrée Tank with contrasting black crocodile leather strap falls nicely into the category of dress watch. The white dial with its contrasting black roman numerals and blue metal hands all enhance the overall appearance of this beautiful piece. It is powered by 2 individual quartz movements with separate cabochon sapphire crowns.

The overall condition of this Cartier Cintrée Tank is very good, the 18k yellow mirror polished case is unmarked along with its contrasting black crocodile leather strap and yellow gold deployment buckle. The dial and numeral markers are all consistent in colour along with its blue steel hands.

This stunning Cartier Cintrée comes accompanied with its Cartier service pouch and guarantee.