Cartier. A very fine and rare 18K gold rectangular reversible wristwatch

SIGNED CARTIER, CABRIOLET REVERSIBLE MODEL, CASE AND MOVEMENT SIGNED EUROPEAN WATCH AND CLOCK CO., INC., CASE NOS. 28239 AND 15355, MOVEMENT NO. 15353, CIRCA 1932

Details

Cartier. A very fine and rare 18K gold rectangular reversible wristwatch
Signed Cartier, Cabriolet Reversible model, case and movement signed European Watch and Clock Co., Inc., case nos. 28239 and 15355, movement no. 15353, circa 1932
With nickel-finished lever movement, 19 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance, the silvered matte dial with Roman numerals, in rectangular case with back secured by four screws in the band, crown to 12 o'clock, pivoting lengthwise within an articulated gold frame, all hinged into the plain backplate, 18K pink gold Cartier deployant clasp numbered 10894, case signed EWC and with Cartier hand-stamped reference number 28239 also to frame and backplate, dial signed Cartier, movement signed EWC
20 mm. wide & 38 mm. overall length

Lot Essay

The "Cabriolet Reversible" or "Tank Basculante" model was introduced into the market in 1932. The main purpose of this ingenious system, allowing the complete 360 degree rotation of the case around the horizontal axis, was to protect the crystal and consequently the dial during sporting activities.

Its development was a joint collaboration between LeCoultre, César de Trey of Spécialités Horlogers SA in Lausanne and Jaeger Paris, resulting in the patent for a watch in 1932 reserved for Cartier and known initially as "Cabriolet Reversible". The case pivoted lengthwise within an articulated frame and the integrated winding crown was placed at 12 o'clock.

The re-edition of this celebrated wristwatch was launched in the 1990s.
The model is illustrated and described in Cartier - The Tank Watch by Franco Cologni, pp. 97-100 & 214-215, in Le Temps de Cartier by Jader Barracca, Giampiero Negretti, Franco Nencini, p. 205 and in Ore d'Oro 2 by Jader Barracca, Giampiero Negretti, Franco Nencini, p. 129.

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