Throughout their history, Cartier has developed a powerful history as a revered watchmaker. While their reputation waned in the 80s and 90s as they turned to jewelry-oriented quartz timepieces, they made a conscious effort to turn things around in 1998 by launching the Collection Privée Cartier Paris, or CPCP, at SIHH to demonstrate their horological prowess. By partnering with THA Èbauche, a collaborative movement manufacture made up of Vianney Halter, Denis Flageollet (founder of De Bethune), and François-Paul Journe, Cartier began to challenge the horological heavyweights with truly spectacular timepieces, much like this Wandering Hours model, the Tank A Vis ref. 2554. Featuring the Tank’s signature rectangular construction in 18k white gold, a stunningly finished manual-wind movement, and elaborately decorated silver dial, the Tank A Vis lives up to the CPCP’s deserved status as one of Cartier’s finer creations. With its interesting dial layout and time display that shows the minutes with a single central hand, the hours as they rotate through 12 o’clock, and the date at 6 o’clock, the Tank A Vis is an interesting watch that is unlike most other watches on the market and one that we are delighted to have with us.

With collectors finally beginning to understand the value that can be found within Cartier's vintage and neo-vintage offerings, the CPCP models like this ref. 2554 will be the first to experience an explosion in popularity given its unusual design.