My Personal Collection: Cartier Tank Louis from 1968.

I write this listing with somewhat of a heavy heart.

Being offered for the first time since I first acquired it is my personal Cartier Tank Louis from 1968. This watch was the first Cartier I ever owned. It a true, vintage Cartier. What I mean by that is it was manufactured before Cartier Paris was sold in 1972. I have discussed at length, here and on other platforms, just how special any Cartier is prior to 1973 so I'll spare you. But if you are asking me the real cut off is 1970. Sure the production technically started ramping up in 1966 but for the most part all of the vintage charm remained. In 1970 Cartier started to alter the design layout a bit with regards to fonts and dial layout proportions. 

“Life is just a slide. Back and forth between loving and leaving, remembering and forgetting, holding on and letting go.”
― Nicole Lyons

You cant keep them all. 

ABOUT THIS WATCH: 

MANUFACTURER: Cartier

MODEL: Tank Louis

REFERENCE: n/a

SERIAL: 52xxx

YEAR: 1968

DIAL: The original Cartier dial is in fantastic shape. The dial appears to be free of any cracking, blemishes or otherwise imperfections. It sports the correct for the period "Paris" denotation under the 6 o'clock hour marker. 

CASE: A solid 18kt yellow gold case. The case measures 23x30mm and is considered the vintage "Mens" size for the period. The case has light wear throughout. The French and Jaeger hallmarks are all presented and accounted for along with the serial number and stock number. The case is completed by the correct and original sapphire cabochon crown.  

MOVEMENT:  A Cartier marked Jaeger Lecoultre movement. The caliber is a 821. The 821 in my humble opinion is the most aesthetically pleasing of the calibers utilized during this period. It has beautiful sweeping bridges and displays a good amount of finishing techniques. It was serviced in 2023. The movement can be serviced again should the buyer wish. Servicing cost is $350 plus any applicable parts. If serviced the watch will be warrantied for one year. I haven't put it on a timegrapher and never set the watch myself. "Nobody wears a Cartier to tell the time." 

BRACELET/STRAP: This watch will come with its original deployment buckle but no strap. The strap needs to be custom made to exactly fit the wrist of the wearer. There is no micro adjustment. 

ACCESSORIES: The original 18kt deployment buckle. 

BOX/PAPERS: No. 

WARRANTY: None unless the watch is serviced first. If serviced the watch will come with a one year warranty. 

BANK WIRE/ZELLE PRICE: $18,500 shipped.