218 Cartier An oversized and attractive, Tank Louis Cartier, automatic wristwatch in yellow gold, with guarantee.

Estimate: € 10.000 –⁠ 20.000

NO RESERVE

• Model Tank Louis Cartier
• Year 1978
• Reference 17002
• Case Material 18K yellow gold
• Case Number 648
• Bracelet Material Leather strap
• Movement Automatic, cal. 170, 17 jewels
• Dimension 28mm width × 35mm length
• Signed Case, dial and movement
• Accessories Accompanied by Cartier guarantee card dated 8th January 1978, signed Cartier Hong Kong and receipt.

Few shapes in watchmaking are as instantly recognizable as the Cartier Tank. Conceived in 1917 and inspired by the geometry of military tanks seen from above, its parallel brancards, Roman numerals and chemin-de-fer minute track have become a visual language of their own. It is a design that transcends fashion, equally at home on artists, aristocrats and tastemakers for over a century. In 1974, Cartier subtly but decisively evolved the lineage with the introduction of the Tank Louis “Jumbo.” While preserving the purity of the original concept, this reference expanded the proportions to approximately 28x35mm and, most importantly, introduced automatic winding to the Louis line through the calibre 170. To accommodate this self-winding movement, Cartier engineered the distinctive curved, or “bubble,” caseback, an elegant technical solution that remains discreet on the wrist yet unmistakable to the informed collector. This feature gives the Jumbo a singular place in Tank history: it remains the only automatic Tank Louis ever produced. That fact alone secures its importance, bridging classical Parisian design with the practical demands of a modern era. The present example in yellow gold perfectly expresses that balance. The white dial with bold black Roman numerals, blued steel hands and cabochon sapphire crown speaks the timeless Cartier vocabulary, while the softly rounded caseback hints at the mechanical sophistication within. An icon in enlarged form, the Tank Louis Jumbo is a pivotal chapter in Cartier’s story, combining heritage, rarity and everyday usability in a way few watches can rival.