Cartier Tank Phase de Lune

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The classic Cartier Tank Louis is the best selling watch among our female clientele. This uncommon variant adds a lovely moon phase and date complication for some serious old-school cool. This Tank Phase de Lune from the early 1990s is executed in a 18k yellow-gold case—measuring 31 x 23.5 mm—and comes on a black alligator leather strap. The classic silvered dial features Cartier’s well-known painted black Roman numerals and blued swords hands. At the 6 o’clock position we find a charming aperture that displays the phases of the moon through a lovely blue and gold-colored disc. This Tank also incorporates a date function, which is displayed by a blued crescent-shaped hand that ticks along a date track. All these blue details of course match the blue sapphire cabochon that traditionally tops the crown.

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. Cartier 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.