01DIAL
The Secret Signature
Introduced 1977
A microscopic 'CARTIER' hidden within the Roman numerals — present on every genuine post-1977 dial.
Cartier
Tank à Guichets
The jump-hour Tank of 1928, remembered in a 150-piece platinum edition for Cartier's 150th anniversary.
History
The Jump-Hour Tank
Phillips dates the Tank à Guichets to 1928. Its dial replaces hands with two apertures: the hour appears in a window at 12 o'clock and jumps once each hour, while a curved aperture at 6 o'clock shows the minutes. The result is a Tank case with an Art Deco, instrument-like face.
1996 and 1997
The Hour Markers reports that Cartier made six Tank à Guichets in 1996, three in yellow gold and three in platinum, with the crown at 12 o'clock. In 1997, for the 150th anniversary of the house, Cartier made a platinum limited edition of 150 pieces. Phillips catalogs these on the manual-wind cal. 9752 MC with 19 jewels, with a ruby cabochon crown, a signed 18k white gold deployant clasp, and a case back engraved with the LC logo and "1847-1997". The Hour Markers describes the movement as built on a Piaget ébauche.
Later Editions
The Hour Markers reports a Collection Privée Cartier Paris version in 2005, Ref. 2817, in pink gold, limited to 100 pieces, with a blue cabochon crown. A re-edition, WGTA0236 in platinum with the cal. 9755 MC, is offered by a dealer as a Cartier Privé release. These are separate from the vintage-era watch.
The Tank à Guichets Today
The 1997 platinum edition has appeared at Phillips in Geneva (2024) and in Hong Kong (sales coded HK080425 and HK080426, so 2025 and 2026), and at Sotheby's in October 2024. Several of those lots carry their numbers (055, 071, 101 and 010 of 150), so examples can be tracked as they trade.
Quintessential Reference
Ref. Tank à Guichets 150th Anniversary (1997) · 1997
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The 1997 platinum edition: 150 numbered watches made for Cartier's 150th anniversary, with a jumping hour at 12 o'clock, a curved minutes aperture at 6, a ruby cabochon crown and a case back engraved 1847-1997. It is the vintage-era Tank à Guichets, and the one that has appeared repeatedly at auction in recent years.
Other Known References
1 documented reference across 1 era
Modern Manufacture1993–20011 ref
| Reference | |
|---|---|
| Ref. Tank à Guichets 150th Anniversary (1997) |
Collector's Corner
What every buyer, inheritor, and first-time collector should know.
Buying Guide
02CASE
Case Back Hallmarks
Varies by era
Genuine Cartier cases bear specific hallmarks including the Cartier name, reference number, serial number, and precious metal assay marks. Placement and style varies by era, with earlier pieces showing different hallmark configurations than modern examples.
03MOVEMENT
Movement Sourcing
Varies by era and model
Cartier sourced movements from various Swiss manufacturers throughout history, including Jaeger-LeCoultre, Frédéric Piguet, ETA, and in-house production. Knowing the correct caliber for a specific reference is essential for identifying the watch and establishing provenance.
04CROWN
Crown Sapphire Cabochon
A Cartier hallmark since the early 20th century
The blue sapphire (or spinel on less precious models) cabochon crown is a Cartier signature. Original crowns show consistent color saturation and are set flush with the crown body. Replacements often show misalignment or incorrect stone dimensions that reveal themselves under magnification.
05BRACELET
Bracelet and Clasp Markings
Check the clasp first
Cartier bracelets carry their own reference markings and the deployment clasp should bear the Cartier name and logo. Aftermarket bracelets are extremely common on vintage pieces, so verifying clasp authenticity and matching reference numbers is crucial to the overall picture.
06DIAL
Dial Aging and Patina
Patina tells the story
Vintage Cartier dials develop characteristic aging—cream dials warm to ivory, lacquer dials may develop fine crazing, and applied indices can show legible wear patterns. Understanding acceptable versus concerning dial aging is key to valuing a vintage piece authentically.
Questions collectors ask
Direct answers about the Cartier Tank à Guichets, drawn from the reference records below.
What is the Cartier Tank à Guichets?
- A jump-hour Tank. Phillips dates the model to 1928: the hour shows in a window at 12 o'clock and the minutes in a curved aperture at 6. The vintage-era version is the 1997 platinum edition made for Cartier's 150th anniversary.
How many 1997 Tank à Guichets were made?
- 150 numbered watches in platinum, according to Phillips, and a Sotheby's lot is numbered 010/150. The Hour Markers also reports six earlier pieces from 1996, three in yellow gold and three in platinum.
What movement is in the 1997 Tank à Guichets?
- The manual-wind cal. 9752 MC with 19 jewels, per Phillips and Sotheby's. The Hour Markers describes it as based on a Piaget ébauche. One Monaco Legend lot lists a different caliber designation, and is recorded as a dissent.
How do I tell the 1997 edition from the 2005 CPCP version?
- The Hour Markers reports a 2005 Collection Privée Cartier Paris version, Ref. 2817, in pink gold with a blue cabochon crown, limited to 100 pieces. The 1997 watch is platinum with a ruby cabochon crown. Check the metal, the crown and the edition number on the case back.
What should I check before buying a 1997 Tank à Guichets?
- The LC logo and 1847-1997 engraving, an edition number out of 150, the ruby crown, a signed white gold clasp, and smooth jump-hour operation. Certificates and boxes vary from example to example and are worth noting.
Next Steps
INHERITOR
I inherited this watch
Look at the case back for the 1847-1997 engraving and an edition number. They identify the 150th anniversary watch.
START HERE →BUYERI'm buying this watch
Confirm the engraving, the number, the ruby crown and the cal. 9752 MC. Know what to check.
CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY →SELLERI'm selling this watch
Edition number, certificate and box shape how a Tank à Guichets is presented. Start from what the archive documents.
PRICE MY WATCH →