Is it digital? Far from it. This is the Cartier Tank à Guichets, reference 2817 — a mechanical marvel and one of the most captivating expressions of Cartier’s inventive spirit. While it may look like something from the future, it’s rooted deeply in watchmaking history. Cartier has always stood at the intersection of elegance and innovation, and few timepieces reflect that balance better than the Tank à Guichets. Where most watches tell time with sweeping hands across an open dial, the Tank à Guichets strips that all away. In its place? A mysterious block of brushed rose gold, punctuated by two crisp apertures — one for the hour, one for the minutes. The concept behind this unusual display dates back to the late 19th century, when Austrian engineer Josef Pallweber introduced the jumping hour mechanism: a system that uses rotating discs to display time through windows. But in 1928, Cartier reimagined the concept with unmatched style. The Tank à Guichets transformed the classical Tank design — with its elongated brancards and rectangular form — into a sleek, minimalist sculpture. With no dial, no hands, and no unnecessary ornamentation, it whispered modernity in a time of Art Deco opulence. Only about two dozen were produced in its original run, and yet, it managed to find its way onto the wrist of legends like jazz pioneer Duke Ellington. Fast forward to the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and Cartier revisited this enigmatic creation through a handful of ultra-limited reissues. Among them: a trio set in 1996, a 150-piece platinum edition for the maison’s 150th anniversary in 1997, and finally, this 2005 Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) edition — limited to just 100 pieces in 18k rose gold. The reference 2817 represents one of those rare CPCP examples. Its 26 x 37 mm case, entirely finished in satin-brushed rose gold, presents an architectural purity that’s both vintage and avant-garde. The jump hour appears in a rectangular aperture at 12 o’clock, while a curved window below reveals the continuously moving minute disc. True to Cartier tradition, the signature octagonal crown is adorned with a blue sapphire cabochon — a quiet nod to its heritage. This particular piece is offered in excellent condition, accompanied by a classy brown alligator leather Cartier strap, and an 18k rose gold deployant clasp. A watch that blends mechanical intrigue with design purity.
- year2005
- reference2817
- model Tank À Guichets
