Cartier Basculante Mécanique
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Last decade of production
Maker / issuer
CartierThis Cartier Tank Basculante Mécanique is a manual-wind wristwatch featuring an articulating hinged rectangular case. Unlike fixed-case models, the inner dial housing of this watch pivots within a swinging frame, a design feature described as a seesaw mechanism, derived from the French word bascule.
The watch features a white dial decorated with a central guilloché pattern and is marked with black Roman numerals. The dial includes a central minute track and is signed with the Cartier name and the word Swiss at the bottom. A blue stone is set into the winding crown. The watch is presented on a black alligator leather strap. The movement used in this model is the Calibre 610, which was sourced from Fréderique Piguet.
According to the auction description, this particular example originates from the last decade of the model's production and displays light signs of wear.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Manual-wind rectangular watch
- Maker
- Cartier
- Mechanism
- Swinging frame
- Dial detail
- Guilloché
- Release date
- 1932
- Production date
- Last decade of production
- Maker / attribution
- Cartier
Design
- Visible features
- • Rectangular case with hinged frame mechanism • Blue cabochon winding crown • Guilloché patterned dial center • Black Roman numeral hour markers
- Case and Mechanism
- The Cartier Tank Basculante Mécanique is defined by its articulating case design. The inner housing, which protects the dial, is mounted within an outer frame that facilitates a swivelling motion. This mechanism is functionally distinct from other pivoting watch designs as it employs a swinging frame, allowing the inner case to rotate on a central axis. This construction is designed to protect the crystal when not in use. The movement is protected within this pivoting frame, and the case exterior is completed with a crown set with a blue stone, which is positioned on the top edge of the watch frame in the upright orientation.
- Dial and Aesthetic
- The watch displays a rectangular dial finished with a central guilloché texture. The hours are indicated by black-printed Roman numerals arranged around a central railroad-style minute track. The dial is signed with the Cartier wordmark in the upper half and features the word Swiss printed at the lower edge. The watch is secured to the wrist with a black alligator leather strap. The combination of the brushed-finish outer frame and the textured inner dial provides a contrast between the geometric outer structure and the detailed finish of the internal dial housing.
- Movement and History
- The timepiece is powered by the Calibre 610, a movement sourced from Fréderique Piguet. The calibre is characterized by its thin profile, measuring 2.1mm in thickness. It was first conceived for use in 1926. The Basculante Mécanique was first introduced to the Cartier collection in 1932, one year following the debut of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. This specific watch is reported by the vendor to date from the final decade of the model's production cycle.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement caliber is sourced from Fréderique Piguet but not verified by serial
- Research required: Specific production year within the last decade is not provided