Cartier Tank Cintrée

Cartier, Paris Tank Cintrée 'Jumbo' | A yellow gold rectangular wristwatch with Paris dial, Circa 1967

Dial: white Caliber: Jaeger LeCoultre cal. K821-1 mechanical, 18 jewels Movement number: 1'883'924 Case: 18k yellow gold, case back secured by four screws Case number: 51'504, 023, 037, inside case back stamped 51'504, inner bezel stamped 51'504 Closure: 18k yellow gold Cartier folding clasp Size: 46 x 23 mm Signed: dial and movement signed Cartier, case stamped 'EJ' for Edmond Jaeger and French hallmarks Box: no Papers: no Accessories: Cartier traveling case and a signed letter from Buffy BirrittellaLaunched in 1921, just two years after the debut of the original Cartier Tank, the slim and elongated Tank Cintrée has remained one of the brand’s most iconic interpretations of the Tank design. Produced only in limited numbers, regardless of variant, the Cintrée has long been considered one of Cartier’s most special creations. Its case is slightly longer and slimmer than that of the Tank Américaine, but its true brilliance lies in the subtle vertical curve that hugs the wrist. Cintrée translates to “curved” in French, and this watch fully embodies that definition: the dial, case, and crystal all follow a gentle arc that allows it to contour perfectly to the wearer’s wrist. With its elongated Roman numerals and Cartier’s signature chemin de fer minute track, the Cintrée remains a quintessential expression of the maison’s design language. Over the years, the Cintrée’s timeless style has attracted admirers such as Fred Astaire, Steve McQueen, and Ralph Lauren. The famed fashion designer and entrepreneur, Ralph Lauren, is a passionate collector of vintage Cartier timepieces, and among his collection are several Cintrée models. Adding to this examples provenance, this particular watch once belonged to Buffy Birrittella, Ralph Lauren’s longtime "right hand" and former Senior Adviser and Senior Creative Director of Women’s Collections at the brand. Birrittella, one of the company’s earliest employees, joined Ralph Lauren in 1971 and stayed with the company until her retirement in 2021. For a special occasion, Ralph gifted this piece to Buffy, mentioning that he owned the same one and found it so special that she simply had to have one too. The present watch, made in France and housed in a yellow gold case with a manual-winding movement, dates to 1967—the same year Ralph Lauren founded his company. It represents one of the last examples of the hand-numbered Cintrée, marking the end of an era for one of Cartier’s most elegant designs. At 46 mm in length, this version is known as the Jumbo and is the most desirable size, as the added length allows you to fully appreciate the dramatic curve of the case.