Cartier Tank Louis XL 3280 'LC Collaborateur'

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Forget about the classic Cartier Tank for a minute, this Tank Louis XL is bold, brash, and was only available to select Cartier employees.

Cartier is perhaps best known for its classically minded Tank Louis models in modest sizes. The Tank Louis XL is an exception to that template. With its hefty 32 x 40 mm dimensions, it is the largest Tank ever made and the perfect companion for the large-wristed among us or those that simply enjoy a more contemporary-looking watch.

This Tank Louis XL is executed in 18k yellow gold and features the classic white dial with painted black Roman numerals and minute track that we have come to associate so closely with the company. One small detail sets it apart from the pack though: the small ‘LC’ signature placed in rhombus right above the 6 o’clock position. While LC are the initials of Louis Cartier, the maison’s legendary founder, the placement of these letters on the dial actually indicate that the piece is a so-called Collaborateur edition, in other words a piece that was only made available to Cartier employees. Not only do these pieces proudly carry the founding father’s initials on the dial, but they were also priced in such a way that the average Cartier employee would also be able to afford them. Now that puts the grande in Grande Maison.

This special Tank is powered by a classic handwound movement and comes on a brown alligator leather Cartier strap with an 18k yellow gold Cartier buckle. Moreover, the watch is accompanied by its original box and papers.

Introduction

Cartier  Louis-François Cartier took over his master’s jewellery workshop in 1847. Over the years, his sons and grandsons inherited the family business and expanded the brand by opening shops in New York and London. King Edward VII of the United Kingdom granted Cartier a prestigious royal warrant in 1904, calling the brand “the jeweller of kings and the king of jewellers.” Such was the renown of Cartier, that royal warrants soon rolled in from all over the world (among which, Belgium, Egypt, Greece, Siam, Spain, Portugal, and Russia). While Cartier is known primarily for its jewellery, it also has a storied history in watchmaking. Cartier’s first foray in watchmaking came in 1888, offering exclusively ladies models. In 1904, Louis Cartier gave his friend and Brazilian aviation pioneer Santos Dumont a watch to wear during his flights. Until then, wrist watches were worn exclusively by women and men opted for the traditional pocket watch. The ‘Santos-Dumont’ was not only the first wristwatch geared towards men but also the first pilot’s watch. Tank The Cartier Tank was designed as a tribute to Allied troops and their Renault tanks during the Great War. The first prototype Tank was presented in 1917 to General Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War I. The watch became available to the public after the war was over in 1919. The Tank is easily recognizable due to its angular case with its vertical crossbars (known as ‘brancards’) and noticeable crown topped with a sapphire cabochon. Over a hundred years old now, the Tank has known many illustrious owners, among which Andy Warhol, Jackie Kennedy, Yves Saint Laurent, Frank Sinatra and Calvin Klein. It belongs among the most important watches in watch history and is still one of the cornerstones of Cartier’s collection.

Specifications

Shipping

Packages are generally dispatched within 2 days after receipt of payment and are shipped within the Netherlands by Registered Mail through the Dutch carrier PostNL and for other countries by Fedex. Consult us if you prefer another method of shipping. For most destinations tracking is available.