Cartier Tank Extra Plate (Ref. 96065), 1970s

Dealer description — Huntington Company

History and Significance The Tank Extra Plate is Cartier reduced to almost nothing. There is no complication competing for attention and very little visual excess to hide behind. Instead, the entire watch depends on proportion: the relationship between the brancards and dial, the placement of the Roman numerals, the railroad minute track, and the way an exceptionally thin case sits against the wrist. It is a simple formula, but simplicity is exactly what makes these watches so difficult to get right. The reference 96065 belongs to a particularly interesting period of Cartier collecting. These watches came before the modern era of neatly organized collections and easily searchable reference histories, when Cartier's dress watches still retained much of the character associated with the earlier Paris-made pieces. The Extra Plate name was literal, describing watches built around thin movements and cases rather than functioning as another stylistic designation. That pursuit of thinness gave the Tank a different personality from more conventional executions. There is also something important about the reference 96065 as a reminder that vintage Cartier is not just about finding the most recognizable Tank Louis. Once the catalog is explored more deeply, small differences in proportion, construction, movements, and references begin to matter enormously. The Extra Plate occupies that more nuanced end of Cartier collecting. It looks familiar immediately, yet becomes increasingly specific the more closely it is studied. Writer's Thoughts This is the sort of Cartier that explains why a watch does not need to do very much to be special. The Tank shape is already one of the strongest designs in watchmaking, and making it thinner only emphasizes what was good about the design to begin with. There is an almost unreasonable elegance to how little watch is actually required. The reference 96065 is also appealing because it feels like something a collector arrives at rather than starts with. The differences are subtle, and that is the point. It takes the familiar Tank and makes the experience more about proportion and refinement than recognition. Among vintage Cartier, that quietness is incredibly appealing. Our Promise Every watch is thoroughly vetted, carefully described with complete transparency, and guaranteed authentic. Each piece is offered in honest condition, ensuring collectors receive a timepiece that reflects both originality and integrity. Specifications Brand: Cartier Model: Tank Extra Plate Reference: 96065 Year: Not specified Case Material: 18k yellow gold Case Size: 23mm x 30mm Dial: White Roman numeral dial Movement: Manual-wind Strap/Buckle: Original Cartier leather strap Buckle/Clasp: Original Cartier gold-plated buckle Condition Case: The case remains unpolished with strong original definition and sharp hallmarks. Dial: The dial is in mint condition with no cracks. Hands: The blued hands present very well. Crystal: The crystal presents well overall. Strap/Buckle: The original Cartier leather strap remains with the watch. Buckle/Clasp: The original Cartier gold-plated buckle remains with the watch.