Cartier Tank Automatic Jumbo ref. 17011

Most vintage Tanks are small, manual-wind watches. For a few years in the 1970s, Cartier tried something different: a larger Tank with an automatic movement, offered in two sizes, the “Jumbo” reference 17011 and the even bigger “Jumbo XL” reference 17002. To make room for the rotor, the caseback has a rounded bump, invisible once the watch is on the wrist. These automatic Tanks were made in small numbers and have become real collector’s pieces. This 17011 has an 18k yellow gold case of about 25.5 by 33mm, a little more present than a classic Tank Louis without losing any of its elegance. The white dial carries the Cartier essentials: black Roman numerals, railway minute track, blued sword hands and the discreet signature hidden in the VII. The “Paris” signature at six is the detail collectors look for, as these dials were often replaced during later services. The crown is set with a sapphire cabochon. The watch is in superb condition and comes on a brown suede strap. A Tank with a little more presence and a lot more rarity.