SPECIFICATIONS
Unreleased and unique Cartier Tank Francaise prototype or service watch with a steel case and in-house 688 quartz movement from the 2000s.
Steel case measuring 32 x 28mm
Thickness measuring 7mm
Lug width: 20mm
Original crystal
Original sapphire cabocon crown
Original signed black strap
Original signed buckle
Cartier 688 quartz movement inside
ANALYSIS
The Cartier Tank Francaise, launched in 1996, represented an innovative stylistic breakthrough for the Maison and the luxury watch market. This successful model reinterpreted the aesthetic canons of the classic Tank with a sportier and more modern design, decoded through the integration of a bracelet whose central links echoed the case’s straps, creating an unprecedented effect of sculptural compactness. The case has thickened, and its profile now appears more reminiscent of a Carlo Scarpa (an unparalleled Italian genius in the fields of architecture and design). Cartier succeeded in revamping the aesthetics of the classic Tank, retaining its spirit but implementing a bold, solid aesthetic to enter the market with a new and almost revolutionary product between the late 1990s and the beginning of the new millennium. This experiment was a complete success, and the Tank Francaise was an immediate success.
This piece is unprecedented. The outer caseback is engraved with the words “Property of Cartier,” which represents and epitomizes the uniqueness of this watch. It is highly likely an experimental piece; A prototype never mass-produced, or perhaps a service watch. There isn’t much literature on this subject, which further testifies to its rarity.
The dial has a white background with the minute track inside; the classic Roman numerals so distinctive of Cartier run along the outside. The date window opens discreetly and soberly at 6 o’clock, without disrupting the clean overall layout and, in fact, enriching it with a quadrangular element that mirrors the minute track and the shape of the square case. The hands are sword-shaped and flame-blued.
The rectangular case has a minimalist and sculptural structure, enlivened only by a slight curvature. Even the crown, with its sapphire cabochon, has a clean design with its dice-shaped base and flattened tip. Everything is designed to create greater compactness and convey maximum solidity to the eye.
The caseback, which is secured to the caseband with four angular screws, bears the Cartier signature, with the exclusive “Property of Cartier” inscription immediately below, making this piece unique.
The case is paired with a black strap, which is distinctively signed at the top. It is finished with a steel buckle also signed Cartier.
The watch houses a Cartier 688 quartz crystal movement, designed for chronometer-level performance. It has 7 jewels and measures 18.8mm in diameter and just 3.6mm thick.
