SIGNED CARTIER, PARIS, TANK NORMALE MODEL, CASE NOS. 26336,17077, THE MOVEMENT SIGNED EUROPEAN WATCH AND CLOCK CO., CIRCA 1931

One of the most difficult to find of Cartier’s Tank models, the ‘Tank Normale’ is the earliest of all Tank wristwatches. The present timepiece is a very fine example of Cartier’s most famous wristwatch model, originally inspired by the Renault tanks that the firm's founder Louis Cartier had seen in use on the Western Front during the First World War. The model was introduced in 1918, entering full production in 1919.

The original prototype watch was given by Louis Cartier to the American General, John Pershing. One of the great design classics of the 20th century, the Tank is both a square and a rectangle at the same time. Many of the characteristic design elements of the Tank were introduced on the Normale, including the Roman numeral dial, blued steel Breguet hands, blue cabochon crown, and ‘railway’ minute track.