Cartier "CPCP" Tank Asymétrique "Jumbo" Yellow Gold 2842 manual 26,5 x 41 Full Set

Collection Privé Cartier Paris:

Today, Cartier sits proudly on the podium of the most prestigious watch brands. And yet, this meteoric rise contrasts with a past when the Maison aroused more divided opinions. Some see the brand as a jeweller first and foremost, while others see it as a fine Maison that has been designing wristwatches for over a hundred years and has already proven itself in the watchmaking world, oscillating between exceptional creations, true works of art, and more industrial productions aimed at the mass market. Indeed, in the early 20th century, Cartier watches were veritable objects of craftsmanship and refinement, inside and out. Later, around the 1990s, Cartier turned to the mass market, and where volume seems to have taken precedence over quality.

After years spent exploring quartz territories, Cartier decided to return to its first love: mechanical watchmaking and design. The Collection Privée Cartier Paris, launched in 1998, marked a decisive turning point. The brand unearthed emblematic models from its archives, such as the Tortue, the Tank Cintrée and the Tank Chinoise, and gave them a new lease on life. With renewed interest in mechanical watches following the quartz interlude, Cartier seized the opportunity to relaunch its watch offering. The Collection Privée Cartier Privée featured hand-wound calibers from prestigious collaborations with renowned manufactures!

While the Collection Privée Cartier Paris draws inspiration from the Maison's iconic models, it reinterprets them with contemporary elegance, offering a subtle blend of tradition and innovation. Let's take a look at what characterizes a “CPCP” piece.

First and foremost, a “CPCP” watch is distinguished by an exceptional level of finishing, far superior to the brand's other productions at the time. The dials are made of 18-carat gold and decorated by hand. This attention to detail is also reflected in the cases, crafted in precious metals such as yellow, rose and white gold and platinum. Engravings, using a traditional font, add a touch of authenticity and exclusivity to each piece.

In addition, the mention “Paris” under the name “Cartier” pays homage to the city where Louis Cartier designed the original models. The individually numbered limited editions also testify to the exclusive character of this collection.

The movements in the Cartier Paris Private Collection come from prestigious manufacturers such as Jaeger-LeCoultre, Piaget and Frédéric Piguet. These ébauches are all personalized in the House's workshops, and benefit from exceptional finishes such as “double C” decoration, bevelling and circular graining. Most models are fitted with a sapphire caseback, revealing the beauty of the mechanisms.

The exclusivity of this collection was also reflected in its packaging. The watches were presented in leather boxes slightly larger than those Cartier usually used, with better-quality leather and stamped with the collection's name. This case was accompanied by a leather briefcase, which also contained a certificate and a manual specific to the Collection Privée.

Finally, the Cartier Paris Private Collection was produced in limited series, ranging from a few dozen to hundreds of pieces. In all, an estimated 30,000 watches were produced between 1998 and 2008.

The brief history of the Tank Asymétrique

With its bold, unexpected design, the Tank Asymétrique is radically different from other models from the House of Cartier. Breaking with traditional aesthetic codes, this singular watch was conceived as a timepiece in its own right, long before it became part of the Tank family.

It was first born in 1936 under the name “Parallélogramme” and was designed for “gentlemen drivers”. Its parallelogram-shaped case featured a diagonally inclined dial, so that when the hands were placed on the steering wheel, the dial faced upwards. On the dial itself, everything is shifted 30 degrees to the right. The rectangle of the original Tank has become a rhombus, with the 12 in the upper right-hand corner of the case and the 6 on the opposite side. Instead of Roman numerals, there are Arabic numerals, and only even ones, separated by indexes. The twisting effect is such that a specific bracelet had to be developed for the watch.

This watch has become a veritable “myth”, the unexpected but striking climax to this incredible series of creations and innovations begun in 1917. It was also the last truly distinctive watch to be launched before two momentous and transformative events for the brand: the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 and the death of Louis Cartier in 1942. With its light, playful design, this “Parallélogramme” marked the end of perhaps the most fabulous chapter in the Maison's watchmaking history, the “golden years” of Cartier's Art Deco design.

Reappearing with the times and the growing success of the Tank collection, the parallelogram was renamed “Tank Asymétrique” in 1996. Cartier decided to make it one of the funkiest models in its rather “traditional” collections. This first reinterpretation consists of 100 pieces in platinum and 300 in yellow gold.

In 1999, Cartier offered left- and right-handed versions in limited series of 99 pieces each, to mark the handover of Macau. They are distinguished by the addition of a 9, below the 9 o'clock indicator, used to spell out “99”.

In 2006, the Asymétrique was given a new lease of life within the Collection Privée. This new variant, produced in a limited series of 150 in yellow gold and a few one-off pieces in platinum, is more contemporary, with revisited proportions. Nicknamed “Jumbo”, it is distinguished by a third horn.

Finally, the Asymétrique is once again revived in a brand-new “Privée” collection, in platinum, yellow gold and red gold. Each limited to 100 pieces, they are quickly snapped up by collectors.

The model: L'Asymétrique “Jumbo”

Today, we're lucky enough to present, in our opinion, the most beautiful Tank Asymétrique Cartier has ever created: the 2006 yellow gold “Jumbo” version!

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the Asymétrique celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2006. Its design, once bold and quirky, is now adorned with timeless elegance, while retaining its playful soul. This version is distinguished from other models mainly by its more contemporary size, but also by the use of Roman numeral hour-markers.

Let's begin the introductions with its 750-thousandth yellow gold case. Measuring 26.5 mm wide by 41 mm long, this version is much more “massive” than the other Asymétriques, and has had to reinvent itself by lengthening and widening. To this end, a third horn was added to ensure perfect balance. The famous Tank stretchers have been retained, but amplified to give greater presence. The entire case is polished, except for the satin-brushed caseback. The winding crown is beaded and topped with a blue sapphire cabochon. It is also flush with the case. Elegant details, which mark a deep reflection on the part of Cartier...

On the dial side, it's simply impressive! We find the most beautiful of all the dials used in the Collection Privée: the silvered rosette! Crafted in gold, the silvered dial features a rose-shaped guilloché pattern, starting from the center, below the hands, and extending into every millimeter of every corner of the dial. This rose pattern is inspired by vintage Cartier clocks, which often featured this distinctive decoration. The result is simply stunning, and it's fun to play with the light, to take advantage of the slightest reflection!

On this extraordinary base, we find Roman numerals printed in black with the famous Cartier railway, in an unconventional design. This classic, timeless configuration, close to the “Tank Louis Cartier” models, is an aesthetic code that we love! The secret Cartier signature can also be found on the 7 o'clock index. To read the time, two flame-blued steel “Breguet” hands fly over the dial. The whole thing is, of course, protected by a slightly domed sapphire crystal.

Finally, on the mechanical side, we find the hand-wound caliber 9770MC, usually found only on platinum CPCP models. This movement, which offers some forty hours of power reserve and exceptional finishing, is based on a Jaeger-LeCoultre design, the watchmaker's watchmaker. An interesting choice to animate as it should, a watch of this stature!

The package

This extremely rare timepiece in excellent condition will be delivered to you Full Set in its red leather case, with its manual and warranty certificate dated December 31, 2018. This watch has been authenticated by our experts and checked by our watchmakers. As such, it benefits from our Lepage Vintage one-year warranty. What's more, this model has just left our workshop for a movement adjustment and a new Cartier leather strap!