Cartier Paris Tank Louis – Ref 88086 – 18K YG – Cal 2512-1 – Late 70’s

Cartier Paris Tank Louis – Ref 88086 – 18K YG – Cal 2512-1 – Late 70’s - Serviced

This watch was made for the Brazilian market reason the reference is 88086 in the back case, another quirk of vintage Cartier. This model was also known with the reference 78086. In the 1970’s Cartier had its own assembling facility in Brazil in the Free Zone of Manaus reason of the engraving in the back. All the parts were coming from Cartier Paris but putting watches together was for tax incentives. A lot of brands did it like Omega, Seiko or Patek to avoid paying taxes on full assembled watches. Cartier always kept a close connection after their collaboration with Alberto Santos Dumont. 

Beautiful and iconic Paris Cartier Tank Louis in 18K yellow gold. The watch as a white dial with black Roman numerals for each hour and the secret engraving “Cartier on the V for seven o’clock. It is a Paris Made model. The watch has blue hands with “Sword” design. The watch has a crown with a blue cabochon. On the back case, you have “Cartier – AU 750 – Paris – 8808620176 – B 091 – AM – ZF Manaus”. Inside the back case is engraved “AU 0.750 – 025”. The watch comes with a manual winding movement ETA 2512-1 and 17 jewels. The watch comes with a black alligator strap and 18K yellow gold double clasp Cartier. The watch is serviced.

History

Cartier was founded by Louis-Francois Cartier in 1847 in Paris when it took over “Adolphe Picard”. His son joined the company in 1874. Cartier was making watches for home, chain and wrist. The success really started when Louis married Andree-Caroline Worth. Making a contract with Edmond Jaeger, Cartier secured a lavish collection of ladies watches. In 1906 comes the first platinum watch distinguished by a cabochon set into the crown. The same year came the “Tonneau”. After meeting with Alberto Santos Dumond, the “Santos” came in 1911. Then more models were created as the “Tortue”, “La Baignoire”. 1917 is the creation of the “Tank”, 1932, the “Pasha”.  1968 is “Les Must de Cartier” After tumultuous financial transactions, the company became part of the Richemont group in 2000.

Technical details

Cartier manual winding movement with caliber ETA 2512-1, 17 jewels and 21,600 A/h. The watch has 42 hours of power reserve. The movement was introduced in 1959.

Measurements

Diameter excluding winding crown: 23.50mm


Length including lugs: 30.50mm