Year: 1996
Case No: A110020
Model Name: Tank à Guichets
Material: 18K yellow gold
Calibre: Manual, jeweled
Bracelet/Strap: Leather
Clasp/Buckle: 18K gold Cartier deployant clasp
A variant of the original Tank wristwatch, the Tank à Guichets was first introduced in 1928. Featuring jumping hours at the upper portion of the dial, the watch also displays a minutes indicator at 6 o'clock. Its name derives from the apertures, which "jump" as the time advances. "Jump Hour" wristwatches were particularly popular in the 1920s and 1930s. Today, these wristwatches are incredibly evocative of the Art Deco period.
The present watch is an absolutely stunning re-interpretation of the original model. In 1996, Cartier celebrated their 150th anniversary by producing a series of limited edition Tank à Guichets. While 150 examples were produced in platinum with a ruby cabochon crown, 100 examples were produced in pink gold with a sapphire cabochon crown. In addition, for their most exclusive clients, Cartier created three series of Tank à Guichets each in yellow gold, platinum and rose gold, with each series having 3 examples. These models were slightly smaller and had a crown at 12 o'clock - a true ode to the original example from the 1920s.
The present watch thus presents a new discovery to the Cartier horological community - with a serial number of A110020, it is only four digits away from the last known yellow gold special edition Tank à Guichets which is numbered 3/3 and A110016. Thus, one can conclude that Cartier had made this timepiece upon special request for a VIP client who did not have the opportunity to purchase one of the original 3 series produced.