Cartier Tank Chinoise - Platinum - 2685G - CPCP

CARTIER TANK CHINOISE 2685G
Platinum | Silver guilloché rosette Cartier Paris dial

Origin

The Tank needs no introduction. But with a heritage that is as compelling as its design, which attracted a top-notch clientele worldwide, it would be a loss not to dive into the brilliant patrimony of one of the most elegant players on the pitch, Cartier.

The Parisian Maison was founded in 1847 by jeweller Louis-Francois Cartier. But true horological history was written in 1917 when the Tank was introduced during the Great War, created by the powerful vision from Louis Cartier, the grandson of the brand’s founder.

Cartier wasn’t much enchanted by the Art Nouveau movement raging at the time in Paris and choose a bold and minimalistic approach, harmonizing form and function. Word goes the Tank was inspired by the armoured vehicles debuting in the First World War, the French military’s Renault tanks (considered the first ‘modern tank’, subsequently used during World War II and inspiring many tank designs thereafter).

The iconic timepiece features four dashing lines with two parallel shafts, with the brancards holistically referring to the tracks of the tank, the square case to its main housing and the chemin de fer minute track hinting towards the caterpillar tank tracks. Cartier presented the prototype of its signature watch to General John Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe, consolidating modern style and history yet to be written.

The Tank was immediately favoured by high society figures like Jackie Kennedy and Andy Warhol among many others. Having been on the scene for over a century it can be easily stated that the Tank is one of the most eternal designs ever made, with Cartier underlining the timepiece’s astonishing versability with over 30 Tank creations.

The Tank Chinoise was launched in 1922 as a dapper reinterpretation of the original blueprint, with two overlapping bars on either side of the case. Its design twist – prominent lugs – were inspired by the architectural lines of a Chinese temple portico as Far Eastern exotica was very much en vogue in the roaring twenties.

The reedition here at hand is very rarely seen on the market and is part of the highly sought-after Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP, 1998-2008), known for its mechanical movements and haute horlogerie designs inspired by Cartier’s vast archive. The Cartier Tank Chinoise was in production in platinum and pink gold in highly limited numbers between 2005 and 2008 and was completely out of stock when CPCP came to an end.

The Watch

This Cartier Tank Chinoise Collection Privée reference 2685G in Platinum features the classic Tank-design with wide brancards framing the watch face – set of in an extraordinary Cartier Paris dial – spotting its remarkable yet subtle ‘jutting’ horizontal bars, honouring its vintage equivalent: clean lines with a touch of Asian flair.

This rare reedition of the 1922 original has been introduced with a slightly larger case, measuring 28,7 mm x 28,2 mm, a transparent caseback and a 437MC caliber by Piaget. The evocation of interlocking portico lintels, squares up the watch face and draws the attention to the splendid 18k gold silvered guilloché rosette dial with its classic Roman numerals and blue Breguet steel hands. The timepiece further spots the blue signature crystal of Cartier on the crown (the cabochon), mineral crystal and a perfectly integrated strap held in between its straight parallel brancards.

The dial, platinum case and white gold Cartier folding buckle are all signed.

The Movement

The Cartier Tank Chinoise Collection Privée reference 2685G is powered by the workshop-crafted mechanical 437MC caliber by Piaget. The manual winding mechanism has a thickness of 2,1 mm, contains 18 jewels and 125 parts. Its balance vibrates at 21,600 times per hour and the watch power reserve when fully winded is 40 hours. Cartier’s craftsmanship is beautifully expressed in the Cartier ‘C’ index assembly with bridges decorated with the intertwined ‘double C’ cipher of Cartier.

Condition

This unique Cartier Tank Chinoise Collection Privée reference 2685G is in mint condition, has excellent functionality and comes with its original Cartier, white gold, folding buckle.

The watch is fitted with a Mr Watchley Navy Blue nubuck strap

The original reference of the 2685G, engraved on its caseback, was W1542551 as to be found in the Cartier Catalogue archive.

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment. 

Reference	2685G
Movement	Manual Wound
Caliber	Calibre 437MC
Dial	Silver Rosette guilloché
Size (Case)	28,7mm X 28,2mm
Material (Case)	Platinum
Bracelet	Mr Watchley Navy Blue Nubuck
Glass	Sapphire
Condition	Very good
Year	2005/2006
Papers	-
Box	-
Warranty	2 years