TimeTells

Cartier Tank à Vis Dual Time CPCP 2551 W1534251

$32,888.00 SGD

📩 Inquire about this Timepiece 📍 Book an Appointment to View This Timepiece

Condition	Year	Box	Papers
Like New (9/10)	Undated	Yes	Yes

Opening Context

Few watch designs have shaped modern watchmaking as profoundly as the Cartier Tank. Since its introduction in 1917, the Tank has evolved through numerous interpretations while remaining faithful to the clean geometry and restrained elegance that define the collection. Within the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP), Cartier revisited many of its most historically significant designs, combining traditional aesthetics with high-grade mechanical movements. The Tank à Vis emerged as one of the most distinctive of these reinterpretations, drawing inspiration from the rare vintage Tank Étanche while introducing visible case screws and a more architectural profile that distinguished it from the classic Tank Louis Cartier.

Why This Reference Matters

Reference 2551 represents one of the most compelling executions of the Tank à Vis, incorporating a practical dual-time display within an elegantly proportioned manually wound dress watch. Powered by the Cartier Calibre 9901, developed for the CPCP collection, the movement drives two independently adjustable time displays arranged vertically on a silver guilloché dial. The upper dial serves as the primary time display, while the lower dial provides a second time zone, allowing travellers to track two locations without disrupting the symmetry that has long characterised the Tank. Combined with its sapphire display back and refined movement finishing, the reference reflects a period when Cartier placed renewed emphasis on traditional mechanical watchmaking.

On the Wrist

The Tank à Vis wears with remarkable poise. Its rectangular proportions sit comfortably beneath a cuff, while the gently curved case and slim manually wound movement contribute to an understated profile. The warm tone of the yellow gold case contrasts elegantly with the silver guilloché dial and blued steel hands, giving the watch quiet presence without unnecessary ornamentation. The dual-time display adds visual interest while remaining balanced, making the watch equally satisfying as an everyday companion or a considered dress piece for collectors who appreciate refined complications.

Condition & Transparency

This example features an 18-carat yellow gold Tank à Vis case with the signature exposed corner screws and sapphire display caseback. It is fitted with a silver guilloché dual-time dial featuring black Roman numerals, blued steel hands and two independently displayed time zones. The watch is paired with a black leather strap and an 18-carat yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp matching the configuration shown in the photographs, and is powered by the manually wound Cartier Calibre 9901. As always, particular attention should be given to case condition, dial preservation, movement performance, strap/bracelet condition, and overall set completeness—communicated strictly on verified information.

Why It Belongs in a Collection

The Tank à Vis Dual Time occupies a distinctive place within Cartier's modern history by combining one of the maison's most recognisable case designs with a genuinely practical complication. It appeals to collectors who value classical proportions, mechanical refinement and discreet functionality over overt complexity. As one of the defining references from the CPCP era, it also represents an important chapter in Cartier's renewed commitment to traditional horology, making it a thoughtful addition to a collection focused on historically significant dress watches.

Closing

The Cartier Tank à Vis Dual Time Ref. 2551 demonstrates how thoughtful mechanical innovation can coexist with one of watchmaking's most enduring designs. By pairing the unmistakable Tank architecture with an elegantly integrated dual-time display, it remains a refined expression of Cartier's enduring approach to form, function and timeless design.

Specifications