Released in 1917, the Cartier Tank was designed by Louis Cartier after he was inspired by the shape of the Renault tanks he saw on the Western Front during WWI. Perhaps one of the most recognizable pieces of horological design to ever be created, the Tank’s rectangular shape, svelte proportions, and timeless aesthetic have enabled it to earn a top spot within the horological hall of fame. Amongst the plethora of models that belong to this iconic collection is perhaps the purest distillation of its design, the Tank Louis Cartier. True to the original, the Tank Louis Cartier features the same rounded case sides called “brancards” that stretch to form its lugs as the watch Louis Cartier designed all those years ago, which spawned the now-legendary collection and all of its associated models such as the Tank Francaise, Tank Cintree and so on. Offered here we have the wonderfully rare and relatively unknown Tank ‘New York’. Made of 18kt white gold and measuring 31.5mm long and 23.5mm wide, it’s case comes in a little larger than a typical Tank of its era, with a flat profile for its brancards that include stepped edges, and flat crown, as we would expect to see due to its manual-wind Audemars Piguet cal. K2001 movement. Thin thanks to its movement, this example is also offered on a 14kt white gold C+B Cartier-signed brick bracelet that adds a significant heft to its wrist presence. Boasting a silver dial with index hour markers and blue steel baton hands without Cartier’s railroad-style minute track, this example’s display marks it as a rather unusual watch, and its engraved caseback marks it as a true piece of history in the life of its original owner. A piece of history that we are proud to offer for auction.

Visually distinctive due to its unusual dial design, C+B brick bracelet, and stepped case, mechanically astute thanks to its Audemars Piguet movement, and historically substantiated thanks to its engraved caseback, this New York Tank has it all to be a truly special piece.