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Lot Essay
The present Cartier wristwatch is of the highest importance, quality and rarity. It features an exceptional twin-barrel movement with two mainsprings that could store enough energy for the watch to run continuously for eight straight days.
With the advent of automatic wristwatches in the 1930s and 1940s, the cost of producing special movements seen here came to be unnecessarily costly for Cartier and as a consequence they were produced in an extremely low quantity. It is thought that less that ten of these 8-day Cartier Tanks were put into production. Its rarity is further enhanced by its marvelous capability.
To fit the larger and rectangular twin-barrel movement, the case of these Cartier watches had to be in the "Tank Allongée" style. As a result, the watch is adapted and sized to more modern tastes. In fact, some believe these 8-day Cartier Tanks are among the most elegant Cartier wristwatches ever made.
Remarkably, only two other 8-day Cartier Tanks have been seen at auction. The first sold in 1989 and again in 1996 while Christie's sold the second in 2006 for 138,000 CHF and again in 2009 for 99,000 CHF. That example is now owned by one of the world's most discerning collectors.
The present watch has an unusual luminous dial and luminous-filled blued hands, giving the watch a more sporting and adventurous look.
For a description and illustrations including the blueprint of a drawing of a "Tank Allongée" wristwatch with 8-day movement see Cartier - The Tank Watch by Franco Cologni, p. 219.
With the advent of automatic wristwatches in the 1930s and 1940s, the cost of producing special movements seen here came to be unnecessarily costly for Cartier and as a consequence they were produced in an extremely low quantity. It is thought that less that ten of these 8-day Cartier Tanks were put into production. Its rarity is further enhanced by its marvelous capability.
To fit the larger and rectangular twin-barrel movement, the case of these Cartier watches had to be in the "Tank Allongée" style. As a result, the watch is adapted and sized to more modern tastes. In fact, some believe these 8-day Cartier Tanks are among the most elegant Cartier wristwatches ever made.
Remarkably, only two other 8-day Cartier Tanks have been seen at auction. The first sold in 1989 and again in 1996 while Christie's sold the second in 2006 for 138,000 CHF and again in 2009 for 99,000 CHF. That example is now owned by one of the world's most discerning collectors.
The present watch has an unusual luminous dial and luminous-filled blued hands, giving the watch a more sporting and adventurous look.
For a description and illustrations including the blueprint of a drawing of a "Tank Allongée" wristwatch with 8-day movement see Cartier - The Tank Watch by Franco Cologni, p. 219.