67 Cartier An extremely rare, fascinating and attractive, Tank Obus, manual wristwatch in platinum, with silvered dial.

Estimate: € 25.000 –⁠ 50.000

• Model Tank Obus
• Year Circa 1940s
• Case Material Platinum
• Case Number 18'884, 25'809
• Bracelet Material Leather strap
• Movement Manual, 18 jewels
• Dimension 25mm width x 25mm length
• Signed Case, movement and dial

Among the many variations of the Tank, few are as intellectually satisfying and as visually arresting as the Tank Obus, a model that perfectly encapsulates Cartier’s interwar creativity and its mastery of form. Conceived in the early 1930s by Cartier, the Obus, named after artillery shells, takes the rigorous geometry of the Tank and softens it through sculptural, rounded brancards that terminate in prominent bullet-shaped lugs. The result is a watch that feels both architectural and organic, a quiet yet unmistakable departure from strict rectilinearity. The present example, executed in platinum, belongs to the rarest and most coveted expressions of the Obus lineage. The square case is compact yet assertive, with beautifully preserved proportions that speak to the brand’s golden age of design. The signature Obus lugs, smoothly rounded and subtly protruding, create a distinctive silhouette that is immediately recognizable to seasoned collectors. The dial is quintessential Cartier of the 1940s: a softly aged cream surface, elegant Roman numerals radiating outward, and a chemin-de-fer minute track that reinforces legibility and balance. Blued steel Breguet-style hands add a refined touch of color and depth, while the discreet Cartier signature anchors the composition. Historically, the Tank Obus occupies a fascinating place within the broader Tank family. It reflects Cartier’s willingness to reinterpret its icons, experimenting with volume and curvature at a time when Art Deco ideals were evolving toward greater fluidity. Produced in small numbers and often customized, Obus models were never mass-market objects, but rather personal commissions for connoisseurs who valued discretion over ostentation. Today, a platinum Tank Obus from the 1940s stands as a compelling reminder of Cartier’s unrivaled design language and its ability to fuse utility, elegance, and innovation. It is not merely a vintage Tank variant, but a sculptural wristwatch of exceptional character, embodying the quiet confidence and enduring sophistication that define the very best of Cartier’s historic creations.