12 Cartier Extremely Rare and Limited Edition Tank à Guichet in Yellow Gold With Unusual Jumping Hour Complication and Winding Crown at 12 O’Clock

Estimate: €30,000 –⁠ 60,000

Model: Tank À Guichet
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1996
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 219
Case N°: N°3/3, A110016
Dimensions: 36 x 24 mm
Signed: Dial, movement and case

In the 1920’s with the advent of trains and automobiles, speed was everything: Louis Cartier got it immediately, understanding that the dial had to symbolize modernity. For this reason, in 1928 was introduced the first Tank with no hands, a unique digital watch that was inspired by early pocket watches with jumping hours. In these watches the glass, dial and hands were replaced by plaques, pierced with two apertures that displayed hours and minutes. Cartier also played with the position and stile of the winding crown: the last two models that were released in 1997 and 2005, had the crown placed at position 3 with a cabochon, while the very early specimens had it flat at 12 o’clock like one of the later versions in yellow gold, that was released in 1996, in a limited edition of just three pieces. The present lot is part of the latter family and precisely is the number 3 as confirmed by the engravings on the back, still every deep and perfectly visible. The whole two-body yellow gold case with recessed winding crown between the curved lugs at 12 has been conserved in a fantastic way by its precedent possessor presenting no evident signs of wearing and original proportions.