The Tank Louis Cartier has undergone myriad small changes over the years, and has been offered in red, pink and white gold, as well as platinum, and different dial options.
There was a model in the 1970s called the Jumbo, which was larger than the classic LC size (23 x 30 mm).
Launched in 1974, the Jumbo came in a yellow or white gold case measuring 28 x 34,5 mm (Jumbo “XL” ref. 17002), and then in a yellow or white gold smaller case measuring 25,5 x 33 mm (Jumbo ref. 17011, rarer than the 17002).
The Jumbo is also the only Tank Louis Cartier equipped with an automatic movement, Caliber 170 (used also in the Gondole and Ceinture automatic versions).
The difference between the Jumbo Tanks and other Louis Cartier Tank models becomes immediately clear when the watch is turned over. While the Tank Louis Cartier is known to have a flat case back, the Jumbo has a round thickening that gives away the fact that there is an automatic caliber inside this case with more height than the hand-wound calibers the line usually offers.
This example is in very nice condition.
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The Tank Louis Cartier has undergone myriad small changes over the years, and has been offered in red, pink and white gold, as well as platinum, and different dial options.
There was a model in the 1970s called the Jumbo, which was larger than the classic LC size (23 x 30 mm).
Launched in 1974, the Jumbo came in a yellow or white gold case measuring 28 x 34,5 mm (Jumbo “XL” ref. 17002), and then in a yellow or white gold smaller case measuring 25,5 x 33 mm (Jumbo ref. 17011, rarer than the 17002).
The Jumbo is also the only Tank Louis Cartier equipped with an automatic movement, Caliber 170 (used also in the Gondole and Ceinture automatic versions).
The difference between the Jumbo Tanks and other Louis Cartier Tank models becomes immediately clear when the watch is turned over. While the Tank Louis Cartier is known to have a flat case back, the Jumbo has a round thickening that gives away the fact that there is an automatic caliber inside this case with more height than the hand-wound calibers the line usually offers.
This example is in very nice condition.
Cartier introduced the Tank in 1917. The design of the Tank was inspired by the Renault FT-17 tanks: Cartier took the look of this tank’s treads and applied it to the lugs, which were integrated via brancards into the case itself.
Plenty happened with Cartier and the Tank during the middle part of the twentieth century, and it would be impossible to write an exhaustive history of every Tank variation here. The Tank Louis Cartier was introduced in 1922, and it represents the quintessence of all the Cartier Tanks.
This model was not immediately named after its maker, Louis Cartier. It was first named “Tank à Bords Arrondis”, but probably for simplification purposes, it was renamed Tank Louis Cartier or Tank LC in 1924. With its frank Art Deco appearance, handsomely-aged rectangular dial, crisp Roman numerals, and blued steel sword hands, this model is the benchmark for all Cartier Tank models.
During almost 100 years, the Tank Louis Cartier has been fitted with many different movements, including European Watch & Clock calibers at the beginning (EWC was a joint venture company created by Cartier and Edmond Jaeger in the 1920s), Jaeger LeCoultre, ETA, Audemars Piguet, Frédéric Piguet…
Louis-François Cartier founded Cartier in 1847 in Paris. The Maison became rapidly popular with the Parisian high-society and the international elite. The grandson Louis, a major pillar in the development of the brand, opened the Cartier Boutique, Rue de la Paix in 1899. First renowned for jewelry, it started with wristwatches in 1904 with the Santos, an iconic model along with the mythic Tank in 1917. Master of design culture, Cartier has given birth to a multitude of unusual designs for its immediately-recognizable watches.
The purpose of this document is to determine whether the constituent parts of the watch are conform to the model reference /period or not, and to value their condition and importance.
All the watches are provided with a digital certificate (the Watchfid-ID), that will be uploaded on your protected and anonymous digital wallet.
This document presents each watch in the most objective and detailed manner possible, thanks to a substantiated analysis, high-resolution photos designed to highlight all elements of the watch and an innovative rating system. Available in printed and digital versions.
On request and when available, an extract of the archives from the manufacturer can be obtained.
