Cartier Paris Tank Normale 18K YG "Pussykin", 1960s

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

The Cartier Tank is the perfect example of excellent design transcending generations. The Tank moved through the early 20th century only to become more relevant during the mid-century design era, and is once again seeing a massive resurgence amongst the watch-collecting community today. The Cartier Tank Normale is the original Tank design brought to us by Louis Cartier in 1917 and made commercially available in 1919. The Normale design was inspired by the Renault FT-17 tank used by the French Military in the First World War, which the watch resembles very closely. The Tank Normale started what has become one of the most celebrated watch designs of all time, and has evolved into the many variations that make up the Cartier brand today. Though it is the original Tank model, the Tank Normale has always been a niche offering from the Maison, with the Tank Louis Cartier being the most commercially known Tank, and while the Tank LC is an incredible watch, to the true Cartier collector, the Tank Normale is the truest essence and form of a Tank watch, bar none. Being the more niche offering, the Tank Normale has only been brought back into production sparingly since its inception by Cartier, usually as a limited or special offering. With that, finding Tank Normale examples in an original state of condition prior to the 1970s is exceptionally uncommon, and are some of the most cherished and valued watches within the Cartier collecting community. We are proud to present this original Cartier Tank Normale from the 1960s, starring one of the most curious case back engravings we've come across, "Pussykin", whether it be a last name or a nickname, we can't be for certain, but whatever it may be we know this was a valued and cherished timepiece for many years given the beautifully-preserved state of which it remains. SPECS Stock # CTRTNPK Brand Cartier Style Tank Normale Model N/A Serial 44XXX Size Men's / Unisex Material 18K Yellow Gold Dial White Roman Millimeters 20 X 28 Bracelet Cartier Strap W/ Cartier 18K YG Deployant Clasp CASE & BRACELET The impressive and remarkably crisp 18K yellow gold case retains the original factory finishing throughout, with the original bold chamfers around the "tank" lugs fully intact, while the orignial eagle head hallmark on the left side of the case remains in unaltered, deep, and fully present condition. The sloped-glass crystal is in excellent condition with no notable wear present. The case retains its original faceted sapphire crown. The case back was polished at some point in order to be engraved, and features the hand engraving "Pussykin" in crisp font across the back of the watch. The watch comes with its era-correct 18K yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp, fitted to the clasp is a brand new black Cartier strap. The watch is sized to fit a 6-inch wrist. DIAL & HANDS The original cream-colored Roman numeral dial is in wonderful vintage condition, exhibiting some warmer spots and speckling expected for the age of the watch along with some light marks from hand drag on the bottom half of the dial. Apart from the age, the dial presents a beautiful vintage aesthetic with the original fonts and printing remaining in excellent condition. The orignial blued hands are in excellent condition. ACCESSORIES