A Tank Louis NSO with salmon dial, platinum case, and ruby cabochon. The Cartier Tank has become immediately recognizable even beyond the watch collecting community. Blued steel Breguet hands provide lovely contrast with the true-salmon tone, a subtle nod to those found on some early pre-1940s examples before sword hands became standard. Though this custom order Tank Louis was designed through Cartier’s NSO program for one of their top clients, its design demonstrates both incredible restraint as well as appreciation for the history of Cartier’s most prominent model.
Worth Reading:
This is a NSO Tank Louis, one of few made with a salmon dial – and certainly the most traditional. With Breguet handset, minimal dial, and platinum case, this example did not stray far from vintage design. The Tank has become recognizable beyond the watch community. The most prominent design is the Tank Louis. Special editions have added flourishes but this example stays true to the model’s traditional aesthetics. It is a celebration of the model through deliberate material and color selection, which highlight the classic design elements, along with a handset primarily seen on pre-1940s examples.
The Tank Louis refined the Normale design with rounded brancards and a rectangular dial, simple modifications providing elegance. Traditional Tank Louis dials use Roman numerals with railway minute track and sword hands. The design was so successful that it is now synonymous with the brand. It is immediately recognizable and widely adored well beyond watch collecting circles.
This example was produced in 2023 as a part of Cartier’s NSO program which created bespoke watches for their top clients. Its salmon dial, platinum case, and red cabochon catch the eye. Salmon dial Tank Louis have been made in limited runs. The 75 piece ref. 1601 featured an avante garde dial design. However, this NSO example’s aesthetics are relatively pure, no flourishes, just classic Tank Louis. The Roman Numerals and minute track are the sole printing. Blued steel Breguet hands provide contrast with the dial tone, a nod to those found on some early pre-40s examples before sword hands were standard.
This NSO Tank Louis is respectful of the model’s lineage. Each design element is true to vintage, the true-salmon tone of the dial its only deviation. The salmon dial and platinum case are a rare combination made more so by the addition of Breguet hands. Though a bespoke project, this example was not produced to make a loud statement but to pay tribute to the enduring aesthetics of Cartier’s most prominent design of all time.
Condition:
This NSO Tank Louis presents in excellent condition. Its case shows some light hairline scratches consistent with occasional careful wearing. The dial and hands show no patina or wear. Its caseback still features stickers original from the manufacturer. The watch is running well within specification on our timing equipment. It comes with its full set including original box and papers, and original platinum pin buckle
Specifications:
Brand: Cartier
Model: Tank Louis
Size: 30
Year: 2023
Case Material: Platinum
Movement: Manual Calibre 1917MC
Scope: Full Set (Box & Papers, Platinum Pin Buckle)
