1960s Cartier Paris Tank Normale 18K YG "Pussykin"

The Cartier Tank is the perfect example of excellent design transcending generations. The Tank moved through the early 20th century only to become more relevant during the mid-century design era, and is once again seeing a massive resurgence amongst the watch-collecting community today.

The Cartier Tank Normale is the original Tank design brought to us by Louis Cartier in 1917 and made commercially available in 1919. The Normale design was inspired by the Renault FT-17 tank used by the French Military in the First World War, which the watch resembles very closely. The Tank Normale started what has become one of the most celebrated watch designs of all time, and has evolved into the many variations that make up the Cartier brand today. 

Though it is the original Tank model, the Tank Normale has always been a niche offering from the Maison, with the Tank Louis Cartier being the most commercially known Tank, and while the Tank LC is an incredible watch, to the true Cartier collector, the Tank Normale is the truest essence and form of a Tank watch, bar none. Being the more niche offering, the Tank Normale has only been brought back into production sparingly since its inception by Cartier, usually as a limited or special offering. With that, finding Tank Normale examples in an original state of condition prior to the 1970s is exceptionally uncommon, and are some of the most cherished and valued watches within the Cartier collecting community. 

We are proud to present this original Cartier Tank Normale from the 1960s, starring one of the most curious case back engravings we've come across, "Pussykin", whether it be a last name or a nickname, we can't be for certain, but whatever it may be we know this was a valued and cherished timepiece for many years given the beautifully-preserved state of which it remains.