An incredibly iconic timepiece, the Cartier Tank features one of the most easily recognizable watch designs of all time. With its thin rectangle-shaped case and elegant dial, it remains as classical a timepiece today as when it was first released in 1917. Inspired by the Renault FT-17 Tank, the Cartier Tank is, somewhat ironically, a dress watch. Recognizing the need for a more robust variant, Cartier released the Tank Basculante. Launched in 1933, Cartier took inspiration from the JLC Reverso, another classically styled early sports watch that would rotate within its case, to create the Tank Basculante, a watch that would also turn in its case. As such, the Basculante rotates vertically along the 12 to 6 axis within its case to protect its dial from damage caused during sports, and enabling it to double as a table clock if you so wished. Special for its celebratory design, this ref. 2390 is perhaps the pinnacle of how reserved Cartier will make a watch that pays homage to something that comes around once every one thousand years. Launched as the Millennium edition variant, this ref. 2390 features a seemingly typical Cartier dial that boasts Cartier's signature black exploding Roman numerals with 'MM’ instead of the XII that should mark 12 o'clock – a direct reference to the year 2000, the new millennium. Additionaly, this is also referenced on its caseback whereby 1999 and 2001 stand on top and beneath the year 2000 like a vertical timeline.

Watch is in near-mint overall condition. Few minor marks visible on case. Please note the watch comes on a generic alligator pattern leather strap with a generic steel buckle.

An understated timepiece celebrating a one-in-a-millennium event, quite literally, this ref. 2390 embodies Cartier's distinguished design language as they go about paying homage to the new millennium in typically reserved fashion.