What is the Tank Française Ref. 2303?

The Tank Française chronograph in stainless steel: a 28 × 36 mm case on an integrated steel bracelet, with the Cartier Cal. 212P Chronoreflex quartz movement with 25 jewels, a silvered dial with black Roman numerals and subsidiary dials for the date and the 30-minute and 12-hour registers. Bonhams, Antiquorum and Sotheby's catalog it as Ref. 2303; Sotheby's also calls it the Chronoflex.

How is the 2303 different from the 1830?

The 1830 is the same chronograph in 18k yellow gold. Sotheby's and Antiquorum give both the 28 × 36 mm case and the Cal. 212P.

Is there a steel and gold 2303?

Yes. Antiquorum sold a 2303 in stainless steel and yellow gold, made circa 2000, on a steel and gold bracelet, also 28 × 36 mm. This page covers the all-steel watch.

What should the case back of a 2303 read?

The reference, 2303, and a serial with the letters BB: Bonhams prints BB22652, Antiquorum BB29880 and Sotheby's 150888BB and BB22665. Bonhams describes a case back held by four screws.

When was the 2303 made?

Bonhams, Antiquorum and Sotheby's date examples circa 2000, and Antiquorum sold one in September 2002. Sotheby's has dated one circa 2003 and another circa 1995; the second is a single record and earlier than any other.

Cartier · Tank Française

Tank Française Chronograph, Steel

Ref. 2303c. 2000–2003

The Cartier Tank Française Ref. 2303 is the stainless steel Tank Française chronograph, a 28 × 36 mm case on the Cartier Cal. 212P Chronoreflex quartz movement with a date, made c. 2000–2003 on a steel bracelet.

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Specifications

Reference: 2303; Chronograph (Chronoflex), stainless steel, quartz, date
Year: c. 2000–2003; Bonhams, Antiquorum and Sotheby's date examples circa 2000 and Antiquorum sold one in September 2002; Sotheby's dates one circa 2003, and another circa 1995
Movement: Quartz; Cartier Cal. 212P, Chronoreflex quartz chronograph, 25 jewels
Case: 28 × 36 mm, Stainless steel
Dial: Silvered; 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, with a center chronograph hand
Crystal: Sapphire
Strap: Integrated stainless steel bracelet; Folding deployant clasp

Visual Description

The 2303 is the Tank Française chronograph in stainless steel: a 28 × 36 mm case, polished and brushed, with a cabochon-set crown flanked by two pushers, on an integrated steel link bracelet with a folding deployant clasp. Bonhams and Sotheby's catalog a silvered dial and Antiquorum a matte silver one, with black Roman numerals and subsidiary dials for the date and the 30-minute and 12-hour registers. Bonhams, Antiquorum and Sotheby's place the secret Cartier signature in the X. The hands are blued steel swords, with a center chronograph hand.

Reference Significance

The 2303 is the steel version of the Tank Française chronograph, and the gold Ref. 1830 its 18k yellow gold counterpart. Bonhams, Antiquorum and Sotheby's give its movement as the Cartier Cal. 212P with 25 jewels, which Antiquorum calls Chronoreflex. At 28 × 36 mm it is longer than the large steel automatic 2302, 28 × 32 mm.

Historical Context

Antiquorum sold a 2303 in September 2002 and wrote that production of the model started in the 1990s. Bonhams, Antiquorum and Sotheby's date other examples circa 2000, and Sotheby's one circa 2003. Antiquorum also sold the steel and yellow gold version, made circa 2000.

What to Look For

Read the case back for 2303 and a BB serial; a gold crown and gold links mean the steel and gold version. Most catalogs give 28 × 36 mm; Bonhams gives 29 mm across and one Antiquorum lot 29 × 36 mm. The chronograph should start, stop and reset from the pushers, and the date subdial should advance. Check the bracelet for stretch and the clasp for wear; Sotheby's has sold one on a leather strap with an 18k gold buckle.

Known Variants

Documented dial, case, and bracelet variations of Ref. 2303.

Variant documentation for this reference is in progress. Known variants will appear here as they are cataloged, including dial variations, case material options, and bracelet configurations.

How to tell it apart

What separates a Ref. 2303 from its neighbors, and what to check before you buy or sell one.

What is the Tank Française Ref. 2303?: The Tank Française chronograph in stainless steel: a 28 × 36 mm case on an integrated steel bracelet, with the Cartier Cal. 212P Chronoreflex quartz movement with 25 jewels, a silvered dial with black Roman numerals and subsidiary dials for the date and the 30-minute and 12-hour registers. Bonhams, Antiquorum and Sotheby's catalog it as Ref. 2303; Sotheby's also calls it the Chronoflex.
How is the 2303 different from the 1830?: The 1830 is the same chronograph in 18k yellow gold. Sotheby's and Antiquorum give both the 28 × 36 mm case and the Cal. 212P.
Is there a steel and gold 2303?: Yes. Antiquorum sold a 2303 in stainless steel and yellow gold, made circa 2000, on a steel and gold bracelet, also 28 × 36 mm. This page covers the all-steel watch.
What should the case back of a 2303 read?: The reference, 2303, and a serial with the letters BB: Bonhams prints BB22652, Antiquorum BB29880 and Sotheby's 150888BB and BB22665. Bonhams describes a case back held by four screws.
When was the 2303 made?: Bonhams, Antiquorum and Sotheby's date examples circa 2000, and Antiquorum sold one in September 2002. Sotheby's has dated one circa 2003 and another circa 1995; the second is a single record and earlier than any other.