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This is a particularly rare and fascinating early example of the Cartier Tank Obus, dating to approximately the 1940s and housed in a beautiful 18k yellow gold case. Unlike the traditional Cartier Tank, this example features an unusual rear winding mechanism, a distinctive characteristic of some of Cartier's earliest and most interesting wristwatches.
The Tank Obus takes its name from the French word for artillery shell, a reference to the four distinctive rounded lugs found at each corner of the case. First introduced during Cartier's Art Deco period, the Obus represented a more experimental approach to the traditional rectangular Tank design. Today, these early examples are particularly interesting to collectors because of their unusual construction and historical significance.
What makes this particular example especially interesting is the movement. Inside is a manually wound calibre 409 produced by the European Watch & Clock Co., a company closely associated with Cartier and Edmond Jaeger during the early development of Cartier wristwatches. The unusual rear winding mechanism allows the watch to be wound and adjusted from the reverse of the case, rather than using a conventional crown on the side.
The dial is another particularly important feature. Its white surface carries unusually arranged Roman numerals surrounding a rectangular railway minute track, complemented by beautiful blued steel Breguet hands. This distinctive configuration is seen on a small number of surviving early Cartier watches and gives the piece a character quite unlike later Tank models.
The case retains its distinctive proportions and beautiful yellow gold finish, with surface wear consistent with its age. The dial also shows minor signs of ageing, while the upper-right lug attachment has a documented historical alteration. These details form part of the watch's surviving condition and are important considerations when assessing an early example.
Key Features
Brand: Cartier
Model: Tank Obus Back Wind
Period: Circa 1940s
Movement: European Watch & Clock Co. calibre 409, manual wind
Movement Number: 246903
Case: 21mm x 32mm 18k yellow gold rectangular case
Hallmarks: French eagle's head 18k gold hallmark
Dial: Rare white Cartier signed dial with distinctive Roman numerals and rectangular railway minute track
Hands: Blued steel Breguet hands
Winding: Unusual rear winding crown with directional markings
Crystal: Rectangular crystal
Strap: Black leather strap with Cartier signed buckle
Accessories / The Set
This watch is sold as watch only, which is typical for vintage timepieces.
We place greater value on condition, originality and overall integrity than on whether a box or papers happen to be present. Many vintage watches have lost their original packaging over time, and we do not believe in inflating prices with non-original extras.
If a watch does include genuine box and papers, this will always be clearly noted in the description.
All purchases come with bespoke Watts On Watches packaging and full purchase documentation.
Why Buy This Watch
This is not an ordinary Cartier Tank. It is an exceptionally unusual early Tank Obus, featuring the distinctive case design, rare rear winding mechanism and European Watch & Clock Co. movement that make these early Cartier wristwatches so fascinating.
The Obus design is important in Cartier's history, representing a period when the maison was experimenting with case shapes and construction well beyond the traditional Tank. The distinctive rounded lugs, unusual rectangular proportions and rear winding mechanism make this example immediately recognisable to those familiar with early Cartier.
The dial is particularly appealing. Its unconventional Roman numerals, rectangular railway track and blued Breguet hands create an aesthetic that is unmistakably Cartier, while remaining quite different from the more familiar Tank designs produced in later decades. The possibility of historical Cartier servicing adds another interesting avenue for future research.
Perhaps most importantly, this watch has identifiable historical documentation. Its previous auction appearances provide a record of the case, movement and condition, something that is particularly useful when assessing watches approaching a century in age.
For collectors who appreciate early Cartier, unusual mechanical construction and the historical development of the Tank, this is a genuinely interesting opportunity.
A rare and characterful 18k gold Cartier Tank Obus, representing an important and experimental period in the history of one of the most influential watchmakers in the world.
Every watch we sell is fully inspected to meet our exacting standards. We stand by the quality of our stock, which is why every purchase comes with a 12-month warranty as standard.