-Specifications

Brand
Cartier
Model
Tank Louis Cartier "Extra Plate"
Reference
16121
Year
1998 (Sold)
Movement
Manual Winding Cal.21 (FP21)
Case
23.5x30mm
Material
18K Yellow Gold
Includes
18K Yellow Gold Teardrop Bracelet
Bracelet Length
18.5cm (Maximum Length)
Can be shortened to about 14cm
Boxes/Papers
Original Inner Box
Guarantee Paper
Service Paper (2007)
Notes
Completely serviced by Cartier in 2007
The watch is working condition (+12 sec/day 324°)
Warranty
1-year Mechanical Warranty by us
Shipping
Global shipping via DHL Express with full insurance

*Model wrist size is 16.5cm circumference

-Description

The Tank watch was born when Louis Cartier, the third generation of the Cartier family, designed the Tank in 1917 and released the first model in 1919.

The original design of the Tank is said to have been based on a plan of the Renault FT-17 tank that appeared during World War I, which is also the origin of the name ”Tank".

The Art Deco design of this watch has created many enthusiasts, who are known as Tankists. Muhammad Ali, Princess Diana, and Yves Saint Laurent are known as Tankists.

Among them, Andy Warhol used to wear a hand-wound model without even winding the mainspring, and this story tells us that the appeal of the Tank lies in its style.

The Tank Louis Cartier (Tank LC) was born in 1922 and, as its name suggests, was a favorite model of Louis Cartier himself. This is the original Tank and is generally manufactured with an 18K gold case.

This Ref. 16121 is a Tank LC "Extra Plate" equipped with an ultra thin manual winding movement and extremely rare "teardrop" bracelet manufactured in the 1990s.

The case is made of 18K yellow gold. It is mens size with a width of 23.5mm and a length of 30mm. These days, this size suits both genders.

The dial is an original white Roman dial. It has radial guilloche engraving and enamel coating, giving it a three-dimensional look. It is said to have been the basis for later CPCP models, including the case construction.

The movement is a hand-wound Cal.21. It is an ultra-thin movement made by Frederic Piguet, and is a familiar movement in the Tank Louis Cartier.

Frédéric Piguet is a company that has supplied movements not only to Cartier but also to other luxury brands such as Audemars Piguet and Vacheron Constantin.

The bracelet is fitted with a 18K yellow gold teardrop bracelet, which is the most distinctive feature of this watch.

At the time this watch was originally sold, it was usually sold with a leather strap and Deployant buckle combination, but the gold bracelet could also be ordered.

There were two types of bracelets available: one was called a beads of rice bracelet, which consisted of a series of interlocking grained bracelets, and the other was a "teardrop" bracelet, which consisted of a series of teardrop-shaped bracelets.

The teardrop bracelet was only available to Cartier's VIP customers.
Tank Louis Cartier with a beads of rice bracelet is rare, but this teardrop bracelet is even rarer, making it extremely rare.

The watch comes with an inner box, a guarantee paper, and a service paper for a complete service in 2007. The paper is stamped as sold in Japan in 1998.

The condition of the case, dial, and bracelet is also very good, and with the paper and other items included, it is no exaggeration to say that this watch is a holy grail for Cartier collectors.

The length of the bracelet is 18.5 cm around the wrist, and it is possible to shorten the length of the bracelet by removing the links at both sides.