Originele beschrijving

Pure Cartier gold. A glamorously gorgeous 1970s Louis Cartier Tank. The sumptuously divine watch accessory for which the Jewellers par excellence are simply untouchable. This exquisite watch is an example of the 1970s yellow gold Tank Louis Cartier Automatique 'Jumbo', a piece also known as the vintage Tank XL.

Louis-Joseph Cartier (1875-1942), designer of the Tank, was a designer and businessman extraordinaire with an impeccable sense of style. The timepiece presented here is the version of the Tank that he deemed worthy to carry his name. With smoother and softer case lines than the design of the very first Tank that preceded it, the Tank Normale (1917), the Tank Louis Cartier (1922) is the blueprint for that understated yet unmistakable Cartier elegance.

It is one of the most popular, desired Tanks in the Tank family. Understandably so with its clean, superbly chic lines and subtle but instantly recognisable sophistication.

Throughout the years Cartier have played with the design's dimensions and dial configuration but one aspect of this precious timepiece has never been touched - the Tank Louis Cartier is only ever produced in precious metals. Ranging from its classic measurements of 24mm x 30mm to the considerably larger 34.9mm x 40.4mm of a version released in 2012, Cartier has certainly moved to accommodate the modern taste for a larger case size. For those interested in vintage LC Tanks however, larger case options are almost non-existent. An exception being the particularly special timepiece at hand.

During the 1970s, Cartier produced this 28mm x 34mm 'Jumbo' Louis Cartier Tank in yellow and white gold. Its reference number is 17002. Taking into consideration the era of its production, it is likely that no more than a few hundred pieces of the 'Jumbo' exist and its larger case size is an absolute exception for the vintage period.

A pure white lacquered dial is completed with Cartier's traditional black printed Roman numerals while fine, elegant and blued steel sword hands mark the hours and minutes. The dial is signed at the 12 and just below the 6 sits 'Paris'. The dial is clean and and almost no signs of aging, a classic Cartier chic. Turning to the back of the watch, the beaded, sapphire cabochon complete crown is passed and the unusual design of the caseback is revealed. A raised, circular central piece that hides a novel feature of this LC Tank - its automatic movement. The engravings on the back of the watch include 'Cartier', 'Paris', a personalised engraving as well as the watch's reference number plus serial number.