Cartier Tank Basculante 2499

Cartier CPCP Tank Basculante 2499C 18k YG

An incredibly iconic timepiece, the Cartier Tank features one of the most easily recognizable watch designs of all time. With its thin rectangle-shaped case and elegant dial, it remains as classical a timepiece today as when it was first released in 1917. Inspired by the Renault FT-17 Tank, the Cartier Tank is, somewhat ironically, a dress watch. Recognizing the need for a more robust variant, Cartier released the Tank Basculante. Launched in 1933, Cartier took inspiration from the JLC Reverso, another classically styled early sports watch that would rotate within its case, to create the Tank Basculante, a watch that would also turn in its case. As such, the Basculante rotates vertically along the 12 to 6 axis within its case to protect its dial from damage caused during sports, and enabling it to double as a table clock if you so wished. With its historical place amongst Cartier’s catalogue, Cartier decided to re-issue the Basculante in 1999 as part of their CPCP collection, with the ref. 2399C example that we have here launched as part of that collection. Measuring 39mm x 25mm and featuring a stunning silver guilloche dial and an exhibition window in its caseback this timepiece celebrates Cartier at their very best.