Cartier Tank à Guichet - Ref. 2817 Collection Privée Cartier Paris - Full set
Origin
In 1917 (70 years after the brand started operating in 1847), Cartier produced one of the most important watch designs ever. Created by Louis Cartier, the Cartier Tank was inspired by a french tank called the Renault FT-17. Admittedly, a military tank is quite an unusual place to get inspiration from for a dress watch, but the Renault’s compact, strong and systematic design was actually a remarkably logical origin of inspiration.
From 1917 onwards, the Tank became a true icon of many worlds and subsequent evolutions of its core DNA were created. The Cintrée, the Basculante, The Chinoise and the Tank à Guichet to name just a few. The latter is a deeply fascinating and whimsical creation that first arrived on the scene in 1928. This watch is undoubtedly a Tank in form, however the Tank à Guichet was the first jump hour watch for the brand. This pure, curious, mystery of a watch was only produced in extremely limited quantities.
In 2006 Cartier launches a limited run of the Tank à Guichet. Officially a part of the CPCP collection, this 100 piece run was made using a pink gold case and is where the model we have today comes from.
The Watch
Seldom even publicly seen let alone made available on the open market, this 2817 Tank à Guichet is a true unicorn from the Cartier CPCP collection. The 18k rose gold case of this reference is undoubtedly a Tank, however it’s evolved a tangible amount from the traditional Louis Cartier. The Tank à Guichet has a wider presence measuring 26mm wide by 37mm tall with the flanking case sides sitting flatter and a little more squared off. The case is expertly vertically brushed with incredible levels of clarity and detail. The bright, chamfered sides of this watch subtly and ingeniously elevate its charm and character. The use of 18k rose gold is one of many beautifully romantic aspects of the 2817.
As arguably the pinnacle of elegance in luxury watchmaking, the dial of this Cartier is for the most part the same story as the case with just two separate vertically integrated white apertures displaying the time. At the top of the dial is a beautifully sculpted window displaying the current hour. As time progresses and we advance into the next hour, this window instantly jumps forward. The lower half of the dial houses a symmetrical half-oval display with an elegantly integrated pointed arrow right at its centre. This is used as the reference point for the rotating wheel disk which displays the current minutes. Both mystical apertures are complemented by a refined, artistic font for its Arabic numbers, evoking a design language rooted in art deco style.
A blue cabochon is a re-occurring characteristic of a Cartier Tank, and here it resides at the 3 o’clock position encased by a fantastically sized and octagonal crown. Completing this exceedingly rare and highly sought after piece is a Mr Watchley Navy Blue Grained strap.
The Tank à Guichet is a truly special creation from the iconic French watchmaker and is rarely ever seen for sale. Let the imagination run wild as this graceful Cartier re-imagines our human relationship to the passage of time.
The Movement
The Cartier Tank à Guichet 2817 houses the 9752 MC mechanical jump hour movement. Created by Piaget for Cartier, this 19 jewel movement is hand-wound and comes with beautifully decorated Cartier bridges that are discreetly hidden behind the solid case back of this piece.
How It Wears
Understated sophistication and pure refinement spring to mind when strapping this memorising watch from Cartier to the wrist. At 26mm x 37mm, this 2817 Tank à Guichet is a superb size for a rectangular watch, framing the wrist it sits on with ease. The soft, compelling glow of the rose gold case and that hugely appealing bold blue cabochon is a match made in heaven when paired with the Mr Watchley Navy Blue Grained strap.
The 2817 really allows for momentary adjustments to our perception of time and almost forces the wearer to slow down and enjoy each passing minute in detail as they tick away.
Condition
This Cartier Tank à Guichet 2817 is a full, complete set including the Cartier outer box, inner CPCP box, a certificate from Cartier, the manual, as well as the original rose gold folding buckle and the Cartier alligator strap. The watch is in as new condition with only a few hairline scratches to its case. It is fitted to a brand new Mr Watchley Navy Blue Grained strap.
If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment. Viewings by appointment only
We are based in Ghent, Belgium
No stock kept on site
| Reference | 2817 |
|---|---|
| Movement | Manual |
| Caliber | Cartier 9752MC |
| Dial | A guichet |
| Size (Case) | 26 mm x 37 mm |
| Material (Case) | Pink gold |
| Bracelet | Mr Watchley Navy Blue Grained |
| Glass | Sapphire |
| Condition | very good |
| Year | 2006 |
| Papers | Yes |
| Box | Yes |
| Warranty | 2 years |