143 Cartier A highly rare and important, Tank Normale, manual wristwatch in yellow gold, with original yellow gold brick bracelet.
Estimate: Fr. 25'000 – 50'000
Create an account or log in to place bids.
- Model Tank Normale
- Year Circa 1930s
- Case Material 18K yellow gold
- Case Number 11'917, 18'267
- Bracelet Material 18K yellow gold Cartier bracelet, approximate length 190mm
- Movement Manual, 19 jewels
- Dimension 25mm width x 33mm length
- Signed Case, dial and movement
The Tank Normale is often spoken of as the origin of a design language, yet in reality it is something far more radical: a distilled concept of form, reduced to its most essential lines. Created by Cartier in the years following the First World War, it established a visual grammar that would influence not only watchmaking, but design at large, where proportion, balance, and restraint take precedence over decoration. This particular example, rendered in yellow gold and accompanied by its period brick bracelet, captures that philosophy in its most compelling form. The case is defined by its measured proportions and quiet solidity, with surfaces that interact subtly with light, emphasizing structure over embellishment. Its preservation allows the original geometry to remain fully legible, retaining the clarity that defines the model. The dial offers a nuanced expression of time’s passage. Roman numerals and the chemin de fer minute track remain crisp, while a gentle patina softens the composition, introducing warmth without compromising legibility, an equilibrium that collectors increasingly value. The brick bracelet, however, is where this watch transcends convention. Both complex in construction and fluid in wear, it transforms the piece into something sculptural, blurring the boundary between object and ornament. Examples combining this configuration are notably scarce, reflecting their original production for a narrow and discerning clientele. What emerges is not simply an early Tank from the 1930s, but a complete statement: an object where design intent, material execution, and rarity converge with remarkable precision.
Condition Report
Create an account or log in to view the condition report!
Auction Preview
LUGANO
Villa Principe Leopoldo, Via Montalbano 5
3 June - From 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
GENEVA
Beau-Rivage, Quai du Mont-Blanc 13
9 May - From 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
10 May - From 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM