Cartier Tank XL - CPCP - Ref. 2915 - Platinum

The watch

The most classic of Tanks, reimagined for a modern sensibility.

Louis-Joseph Cartier (1875-1942) was a designer and businessman extraordinaire, with an impeccable sense of style. Designer of the Tank, the piece presented here is an example of the version of the watch 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.

This particular version was released as part of the renowned and much sought-after Collection Privée Cartier Paris (1998-2008). Through this collection Cartier revisited their initial groundbreaking timepieces, attentively rethinking these models to suit the tastes of a contemporary audience. This Tank was given new, powerful dimensions and measures 40mm x 30mm. The Cartier Tank XL 2915 was manufactured between 2006 and 2008 and as with all models that are part of CPCP, the number of pieces created was limited. Approximately 100 were fashioned from pink gold and it is believed no more than 50 pieces were fashioned from platinum, one lustrous example of which is presented here. The ultra-smooth, polished platinum case surrounds the entirely engine-turned, silver guilloché dial. Cartier's traditional black Roman numerals radiate around the dial, while the traditional black railway, closed minute-track follows the form of the case and sits to the inside of the Roman numerals. Two features of the dial confirm the CPCP provenance of the piece, the signature 'Cartier, Paris,' below the 12 and the central, silver rose. Blued steel hands mark the hours and minutes, matching the sapphire blue cabochon of the beaded crown. A slim border around the dial allows for the 'Swiss made' to sit just below the 6 and at the 7, Cartier's secret signature is delicately incorporated.

Movement

Another touch that gives this iconic and classic Cartier design its subtle modern feel is its sapphire glass caseback, through which the Cartier 9701MC calibre can be viewed. The Cartier Tank XL is one of the very few rectangular Cartier models to house a rectangular calibre. Based on the Piaget calibre 9701MC, the manual-winding movement has a 36-hour power reserve, a frequency of 21,600 vph and contains 19 jewels. The free-flowing bridges of the nickle-finished lever movement are all exquisitely engraved with the Cartier double-C cipher. The movement, as well as the caseback, are signed and on the lower edge of the caseback an engraving of the piece number is located.

How it wears

As only a timepiece from Cartier can, with eternal elegance. The dimensions of this model are markedly greater than the original, giving this watch considerable presence on the wrist as well as an intensification of the charm of the Tank Louis Cartier design. With its platinum case beautifully complemented by the sweeping silver guilloché of its uncomplicated yet sophisticated dial, this Cartier Tank XL is simply a remarkably stylish dress watch.

 The set & condition

A highly attractive and rare Cartier timepiece that is in very good condition and comes with its full set, including 18k white gold deployment buckle. The watch was sold in 2010.

Origin

Bringing the finest creative beauty to the world since 1847, Cartier is that show-stopping, sparkling solitaire amongst jewellers and watchmakers. Unique, original and continually captivating, the Cartier name has a weight to it that inspires a sense of exception, a reassuring sense of unparalleled quality and craftsmanship. A name, a family with a sixth sense for divine creation, the Cartier story began with Louis-François Cartier (1819-1904).

As with any family business, success almost always involves striking that perfect combination of vision, talent and management. Add to that an inclination for taking the right risks, a good deal of grit, an abundance of hard work and of course, a fair few strokes of luck. Not at all elements that often and easily unite. Yet for the Cartiers, those stars in the midnight blue Parisian sky would align.

Louis-François began as an apprentice to a jewellery maker, Monsieur Picard. In 1847, when M. Picard announced he would be vacating his workshop in central Paris that very first stroke of luck struck. With a small dose of financial leniency from M. Picard, Louis-François was able to take over that workshop and lay the very first brick for the foundations of the House of Cartier. Louis-François, eventually joined by his son Alfred, would continue to lay those foundations - jewel by jewel, piece by perfect piece. Yet it would be his grandsons: Louis, Pierre and Jacques, who would complete the construction of the House of Cartier, building it up to the dizzying heights of international fame and success. They would provide the structure and composition that would allow Cartier to weather any storm, to withstand the test of time. And the crowning crest that they gave to that spectacular house? The Cartier Tank.

A watch that sent shockwaves through early twentieth-century high society with its radical, masculine and definite lines - Cartier's Tank took inspiration from the aerial view of that new and innovative machine that fundamentally changed how war was waged. It, in turn, would fundamentally change how time could be told and remains to this day as robust, as iconic, as exquisite and as desirable as ever.

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

No stock kept on site

* Every watch is delivered in a Mr WATCHLEY Membrane Protection Box for a safe transportation in addition to its original set *

Reference	2915
Movement	Automatic
Caliber	Cartier Caliber 9701MC
Dial	Silver Guilloché Rossette dial
Size (Case)	40 mm x 30 mm
Material (Case)	Platinum
Bracelet	Custom made Saffiano Chestnut
Glass	Sapphire
Condition	Mint
Year	Sold in 2010
Papers	Yes
Box	Yes
Warranty	2 years