The Shapes of Cartier
Cartier, London
Tank Cintrée | A very rare yellow gold curved rectangular wristwatch with blue numerals and a gold deployant buckle | Made in 1969-70
Auction Closed
May 10, 02:36 PM GMT
Estimate
30,000 - 50,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Dial: cream dial signed Cartier, stretched blue radial Roman numerals, blued steel pointed baton hands
Calibre: 6¼’’’ oval movement signed Jaeger-LeCoultre, damascened Côtes de Genève decoration, lever escapement, flat hairspring, Kif Flector shock absorber,
Movement number: 2'001'588
Case: 18k yellow gold curved rectangular case, polished tops to the brancards, satin finished case sides and crossbars, gold screw-set lug bars, back secured by four screws to case sides, beaded cabochon sapphire set crown, inside case back with London hallmarks for 18ct gold, date letter ‘o’ for 1969-70, [JC] Jean-Jacques Cartier punch mark
Case number: 9'115
Closure: 18k gold deployant buckle, London hallmarks for 18ct gold, date letter ‘p’ for 1969-70, [JC] Jean-Jacques Cartier punch mark, numbered WR5876
Size: 20.5 x 42.5 mm (width x length including lugs)
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: none
The Cartier Tank Cintrée, first introduced in 1921, is one of the most elegant and enduring watch designs of the 20th century. Defined by its elongated, slim rectangular case that gracefully curves to follow the natural contour of the wrist, the Cintrée was a triumph of both ergonomics and aesthetics. Unlike many rectangular watches, which rely on hinges or friction fittings, the Cintrée’s case back is securely pressed into the upper case and held by small screws, creating a seamless integration that ensures a sleek and refined profile. Over the decades, the model has remained a rare and highly sought-after timepiece, typically available only by special order.
One of the notable distinctions of Cartier London was its experimentation with numeral colouration. The use of blue numerals is extremely unusual in vintage Cartier watches, yet Cartier London offered or customised dials with the option of red or blue numerals instead of black as highlighted in the present example and is hallmarked for the same year cycle as this watch’s case (1969–70).