We’ve always been passionate about Cartier’s more obscure watches. We love the Tank and the Santos, but recognize that there are so many lesser appreciated references that deserve our attention.
The Cartier Tank Obus for example, is one of them. The maison has developed a signature design language throughout its vast catalog, but this particular Tank Obus Skeleton CPCP has all the elements of what is bringing new blood into the world of Cartier — clashing design features, avant-garde aesthetics and a pinch of mystery.
Released in 1929, the Tank Obus is known for its unusual shape. Unlike other watches in the Tank line, the Obus is square, not the rectangular shape that many collectors have come to expect. But the most distinctive element of this watch is the shape of the lugs, which look like tiny bullets affixed to the ends of the case.
This piece features the same design cues. Housed in a 27mm 18K yellow gold case, this piece features a cabochon crown and bullet lugs set against the pointed edges of its square silhouette. Sandwiched between two sapphire crystals, this piece features an elaborate skeletonized dial with a matching blued-steel Breguet handset and gogeous, hand-finished, yellow gold dial plate. The underside of the case reveals its manual-winding Cartier Calibre 435 MC movement.
As a part of the Collection Privée Cartier Paris, which saw a production timeline between 1998 and 2008, this piece was amongst many that shed a spotlight on the maison's watchmaking prowess.
Outfitted on a signed black alligator leather strap with a matching 18K yellow gold deployant buckle, this piece bears the number 52 our of its 100 piece limited production.
Cartier continues to be scorching hot right now with longtime enthusiasts and those greener behind the ear flocking towards any vintage piece from the maison. The beauty however lies within the fact that there still pieces left to be discovered, even for those that have been around the horological block.
Don't let is equilateral shape fool you, because this Cartier is hardly a square.
It's actually one of the coolest pieces from the maison we've seen to date!
