Cartier Tank Americaine

Overall Condition: Good overall condition with honest wear appearing on its very polished surfaces. Crystal, dial, hands, and markers are all in excellent condition.

The Cartier Tank Americaine is quite possibly the least understood model in Cartier's lineup.

Introduced in 1989, it is, in many ways, a modern update to the classic Cintrée. With an elongated case featuring a gently curved caseback, the collection was designed from the start to be a larger watch to suit American tastes. Initially launched exclusively with quartz movements, it has expanded in the past decades to include a variety of mechanical variants as well as sizes, case materials, and complications that offers something appealing to a wide range of collectors.

This particular example is a beautiful ladies' Reference W2620031-2503 cased in 18K rose gold, and features the timeless satin silver guilloché dial with printed 'Roman' indices upon which Cartier was built. Measuring 19mm x 34.8 mm, it boasts smooth brancards, while a sapphire-set cabochon crown and a sapphire crystal complete the picture of a supremely elegant case.

The silver guilloché dial — fitted with an inner 'railroad' minute track and blued steel 'sword' handset — is a straightforward picture of pure class. Meanwhile, a handy quartz movement and a stunning scale-link bracelet in 18K rose gold with a hidden butterfly clasp seal the deal.

The Tank Louis is all well and good. But for our money, this incredible, elongated Americaine is equally deserving of your attention!