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Cartier Tank Louis Silver Dial in 18k Yellow Gold Ref. 1140, 1990s — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Cartier Tank Louis Silver Dial in 18k Yellow Gold Ref. 1140, 1990s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Cartier (maker)
Date
1990s
Country of origin
France
Object type
Wristwatch
Materials / technique
18k yellow gold
Stock no.
W-3082
Credit line
Dealer listing, Bulang & Sons (W-3082)
Catalogue title (original)
Cartier Tank Louis Silver Dial in 18k Yellow Gold Ref. 1140 (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Bulang & Sons (dealer), Copenhagen (stock number W-3082), this is a wristwatch by Cartier, made in France, dated 1990s. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: 18k yellow gold. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

The Cartier Tank needs no introduction, but just in case: not only is it one of the oldest and most enduring watch designs, it’s also one of the most sought-after models in the current market. Louis Cartier, the founder of the brand, invented the Cartier Tank watch in 1917. The shape and name of the Cartier Tank are actually inspired by the top-down view of a Renault FT-17, a French army tank used during World War I. This is a classic and elegant Cartier Tank Louis, with all the hallmarks of the brand, including a silver dial with black Roman numerals and a railroad track. The watch features blued hands and a blue cabochon-topped winding crown. Both the dial and case are in superb condition, with the dial also featuring a discreet Cartier logo at 7 o’clock. This classic Tank is paired with a fine Bulang and Sons strap and an 18k yellow gold Cartier pin buckle. The watch is powered by a quartz movement, which has been fully checked and fitted with a new battery by our watchmaker. There is a lot of love for Cartier at the moment, and we have a great track record of selling them. Please reach out if we can help you in any way with more information! Specifications: - Cartier Tank Louis Reference 1140 - Yellow gold case 31x23mm - Serial cc156xxx dating to the 1990s - Silver dial with painted black Roman numerals - Blued hands - Blue cabochon-topped winder - Quartz movement - Fully checked by our watchmaker, new battery fitted

Historical context

Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)

Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.

Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Wristwatches

Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.

After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.

What to look for

  • The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
  • The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
  • Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
  • Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.

Dating clues

  • Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
  • Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
  • Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

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