What is the Tank Française Ref. 1830?

The Tank Française chronograph in 18k yellow gold: a 28 × 36 mm case with two pushers beside the crown, the Cartier Cal. 212P Chronoreflex quartz movement with 25 jewels, and a dial with subsidiary dials for the date and the 30-minute and 12-hour registers. Sotheby's and Antiquorum catalog it as Ref. 1830; dealers call it the Chronoflex.

How is the 1830 different from the 2303?

They are the same chronograph in different metals. The 1830 is 18k yellow gold; the 2303 is stainless steel, and Antiquorum has also sold a 2303 in steel and yellow gold. Both are 28 × 36 mm on the Cal. 212P.

Is the 1830 the same as the large gold automatic 1840?

No. The 1840 is the 28 × 32 mm automatic on the Cal. 120 with a date at 6 o'clock and no chronograph. The 1830 is longer, 28 × 36 mm, and runs on a quartz chronograph movement.

What should the case back of a 1830 read?

The reference, 1830, and a serial beginning MG: Antiquorum prints case numbers MG 259325 and Mg257777, and Sotheby's MG'269'918. Antiquorum describes a case back held by four screws.

What size is the 1830?

Sotheby's, Amsterdam Watch Company and Eppli give 28 × 36 mm, as does one Antiquorum lot. Other Antiquorum lots give 29 × 36 and 29 × 38 mm, and Analog/Shift 29 mm, so expect about 28 to 29 mm across.

Cartier · Tank Française

Tank Française Chronograph, Yellow Gold

Ref. 1830c. 2000–2000s

The Cartier Tank Française Ref. 1830 is the 18k yellow gold Tank Française chronograph, a 28 × 36 mm case on the Cartier Cal. 212P Chronoreflex quartz movement with a date, made c. 2000–2000s.

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Specifications

Reference: 1830; Chronograph (Chronoflex), 18k yellow gold, quartz, date
Year: c. 2000–2000s; Sotheby's, Antiquorum (three lots) and Amsterdam Watch Company date examples circa 2000; Analog/Shift dates one to the 2000s
Movement: Quartz; Cartier Cal. 212P, Chronoreflex quartz chronograph, 25 jewels
Case: 28 × 36 mm, 18k Yellow Gold
Dial: Silvered or ivory; Black Roman numerals; subsidiary dials for the date, 30-minute and 12-hour registers; secret Cartier signature in the X
Hands: Blued steel; Sword-shaped
Crystal: Sapphire
Strap: Integrated 18k yellow gold bracelet, or leather strap with an 18k gold buckle; Double folding clasp on the bracelet

Visual Description

The 1830 is the Tank Française chronograph in 18k yellow gold: a 28 × 36 mm case, polished and brushed, with an octagonal crown set with a cabochon sapphire between two chronograph pushers. Antiquorum catalogs matte silver or ivory dials, Sotheby's a silvered one, with painted black Roman numerals and subsidiary dials for the date and the 30-minute and 12-hour registers. Antiquorum places the secret Cartier signature in the X. The hands are blued steel.

Reference Significance

The 1830 is the gold version of the Tank Française chronograph. Sotheby's and Antiquorum give it the Cartier Cal. 212P with 25 jewels, which Antiquorum calls a Chrono Reflex movement; Bonhams, Antiquorum and Sotheby's give the same caliber for the steel Ref. 2303. At 28 × 36 mm it is longer than the large automatic 1840, 28 × 32 mm.

Historical Context

Every dated 1830 in the records falls around 2000: Sotheby's, three Antiquorum lots and Amsterdam Watch Company date examples circa 2000, and Analog/Shift dates one to the 2000s.

What to Look For

Read the case back for 1830 and an MG serial, and check the 18k marks. The chronograph should start, stop and reset from the pushers, and the date subdial should advance. On the gold bracelet, check the links for stretch and the clasp for wear; Sotheby's sold one whose double folding clasp is 18k pink gold. Strap examples should have an 18k gold buckle.

Known Variants

Documented dial, case, and bracelet variations of Ref. 1830.

On Gold Bracelet

Integrated 18k yellow gold bracelet with a double folding clasp (Sotheby's, Antiquorum)

c. 2000Documented at auction

On Strap

Leather strap with an 18k yellow gold buckle (Antiquorum, Amsterdam Watch Company, Analog/Shift)

c. 2000–2000sDocumented at auction and by dealers

How to tell it apart

What separates a Ref. 1830 from its neighbors, and what to check before you buy or sell one.

What is the Tank Française Ref. 1830?: The Tank Française chronograph in 18k yellow gold: a 28 × 36 mm case with two pushers beside the crown, the Cartier Cal. 212P Chronoreflex quartz movement with 25 jewels, and a dial with subsidiary dials for the date and the 30-minute and 12-hour registers. Sotheby's and Antiquorum catalog it as Ref. 1830; dealers call it the Chronoflex.
How is the 1830 different from the 2303?: They are the same chronograph in different metals. The 1830 is 18k yellow gold; the 2303 is stainless steel, and Antiquorum has also sold a 2303 in steel and yellow gold. Both are 28 × 36 mm on the Cal. 212P.
Is the 1830 the same as the large gold automatic 1840?: No. The 1840 is the 28 × 32 mm automatic on the Cal. 120 with a date at 6 o'clock and no chronograph. The 1830 is longer, 28 × 36 mm, and runs on a quartz chronograph movement.
What should the case back of a 1830 read?: The reference, 1830, and a serial beginning MG: Antiquorum prints case numbers MG 259325 and Mg257777, and Sotheby's MG'269'918. Antiquorum describes a case back held by four screws.
What size is the 1830?: Sotheby's, Amsterdam Watch Company and Eppli give 28 × 36 mm, as does one Antiquorum lot. Other Antiquorum lots give 29 × 36 and 29 × 38 mm, and Analog/Shift 29 mm, so expect about 28 to 29 mm across.