Important Watches

Cartier, Paris

Tank Normale | An early yellow gold rectangular wristwatch, Circa 1920

Auction Closed

April 24, 04:23 PM GMT

Estimate

160,000 - 320,000 HKD

Lot Details

Description

Cartier, Paris

Tank Normale

An early yellow gold rectangular wristwatch, Circa 1920

Dial: silvered dial signed Cartier France, stretched radial Roman numerals, inner chemin-de-fer minute ring, blued steel Breguet hands

Calibre: 9½’’’ circular LeCoultre calibre signed Cartier Paris, Côtes de Genève decoration, lever escapement, 18 jewels, bi-metallic compensation balance with timing and poising screws, flat hairspring, 8 adjustments

Movement number: numbered beneath dial 14'512, 4

Case: 18k yellow gold square, polished upper body, gold screw-set lug bars, case secured by 4 screws to case sides, ogival cabochon sapphire-set beaded crown

Case number: outside case back with hand stamped Paris Reference No. 11'947, 8'946 and rubbed French eagle’s head control mark in hexagonal cartouche, inside case back hand stamped 8'946 and with Edmond Jaeger punch mark

Closure: black unsigned leather strap and early 18k gold deployant buckle with D-form clasp, stamped BTE S.G.D.G. (Breveté sans garantie du Gouvernment) and with French eagle’s head control mark in hexagonal cartouche

Size: 30 mm length x 22 mm width

Accessories: none

Commercially introduced in 1919, the Tank Normale is the original and first Tank wristwatch case design. Inspired by the British Mark I tank which had first appeared at the Battle of the Somme in 1916, Louis Cartier designed the Tank wristwatch in 1917, coincidentally the same year that Cartier opened their flagship U.S. headquarters at 653 Fifth Avenue in New York.

The Cartier Tank Normale shown here has an early D-form deployant buckle that is stamped with the French eagle’s head control mark in a hexagonal cartouche - this form of the eagle’s head stamp was introduced in 1919. Commercially introduced in 1919, the Tank Normale is the original and first Tank wristwatch case design.

François Chaille & Franco Cologni, The Cartier Collection: Timepieces, Paris: Flammarion, 2006, p. 157. Platinum early Tank Normale also dating to 1920, silver dial with ‘standard’ sized Roman numerals.

卡地亞巴黎

Tank Normale

早期黃金長方形腕錶，約1920年製

Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense.

Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band.

Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.

"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."