226 Cartier Fine and Charming, Tank Obus Savonnette, Wristwatch in White Gold, Silver Roman Numbers Dial and Enamel Decoration, Published in Osvaldo Patrizzi’s Book, “White—Cartier—Bianco”
Estimate: €60,000 – 120,000
Sold (Premium)€149,500
Model: Savonnette Obus
Case Material: White Gold
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1928
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 9 1/2
Case N°: 19960 - 988
Dimensions: 24 × 27 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement
Literature: This specific watch is published in Osvaldo Patrizzi’s Book "White - Cartier - Bianco" at Page 219-220
For over a century, Cartier has managed to establish a reputation for elegance and refinement: Clark Gable, Rudolph Valentino, and Andy Warhol has all strapped Cartier watches to their wrists, just to name a few. Cartier was one of the first to create a particular shape for every wrist in jewelry making which became the stepping-stone for the brand to experiment in form. Despite being a purveyor of haute joaillerie, Cartier has had a long tradition of making watches. It started in 1907, when founder Louis Cartier made what was arguably the very first wristwatch for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont. In 1917 Cartier launched its most famous model: the Tank. In the following years, the brand introduced many versions of the Tank. One of them being the Cartier Tank Obus that was introduced in 1924. Very distinctive are the unique shape of lugs, which look nothing more like tiny bullets affixed to the ends of the case. The present specimen is even more intriguing since it is not a simple Tank Obus but use the special “Savonnette” version. The white-gold case nicely preserved shows deep numerals on the back and the winding crown at the unusual position of 6 o’clock. As confirmed by the numbers “988”, the watch was sold in London despite was manufactured in Paris, an absolute unusual case. As said the peculiarity of this watch is the cover that hides the dial. Made in thin white gold, it is embellished with a subtile blue enamel rectangle which runs along the entire perimeter. The dial is very well preserved and has the classical Cartier layout with outer Roman numerals, inner closed minutes track and blue steel Breguet hands. This specific watch is published in Osvaldo Patrizzi’s Book “White—Cartier—Bianco” at Page 219–220.