Cartier Must de Cartier Tank Vermeil Large
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa late 1970s
Maker / issuer
CartierThis wristwatch is a Must de Cartier Tank, produced in the large size. The watch belongs to the Must de Cartier collection, which the source dates to the late 1970s.
It is housed in a gold vermeil case and features a manually wound movement. The dial is a gold applique design, characterized by layered geometric elements. The watch is equipped with Cartier's signature blued-steel hands and a sapphire cabochon crown. It is currently fitted with a brown leather strap. The piece reflects the design language of the Tank model, with the addition of a specific dial execution intended to provide a distinct visual effect within the collection.
The construction emphasizes the use of vermeil, a gold-plated silver material, consistent with the Must de Cartier line's intent to provide more accessible versions of the house's established designs while maintaining the recognizable rectangular aesthetic.
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
- Tank wristwatch
- Crown
- Sapphire cabochon
- Hands
- Blued-steel
- Maker
- Cartier
- Collection
- Must de Cartier
- Case material
- Gold vermeil
- Dial features
- Gold applique
- Winding mechanism
- Manual
- Introduction period
- Late 1970s
- Maker / attribution
- Cartier
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch features a rectangular gold vermeil case, following the established design lines of the Tank model. The case construction utilizes a classic aesthetic with integrated lugs and a sapphire cabochon set into the winding crown. The dial is distinguished by a gold applique design with layered geometric elements. This layout creates a framing effect intended to add depth to the display. The hour markers are represented by Roman numerals at the twelve and six o'clock positions, complemented by blued-steel hands that provide contrast against the gold-tone dial surface.
- Visible features
- • Gold vermeil rectangular case • Layered geometric gold-tone applique dial • Blued-steel hands • Sapphire cabochon crown
- Design Significance
- The Tank watch has been part of the Cartier inventory since 1917. The Must de Cartier variation maintained the core geometry of the original design while allowing for creative dial configurations. This version incorporates a dial design that utilizes layered geometric shapes to create dimension. The design retains the clean elegance of the Tank series while offering a variant distinct from standard executions of the period.
- Movement and Collection Context
- The Must de Cartier collection was established in the late 1970s to offer more accessible versions of Cartier designs. This specific watch utilizes a manually wound movement, a feature noted for its mechanical appeal within the context of vintage Must de Cartier models. The watch represents an example of the brand's experimentation during this era. While the Tank geometry is retained, the decorative dial elements distinguish it from the monochromatic options often associated with the Must de Cartier line.
Identification
- Reference
- AS12674
- 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: The specific date of manufacture is not provided, only a collection introduction period
- Research required: The movement's mechanical specifications or calibers are not described in detail
- Research required: No serial numbers are provided to verify individual production data