Cartier Tank in gold 18k, automatic ref 17002 from 1975

The Cartier Tank Louis Cartier Jumbo Automatic in yellow gold is a particularly compelling 1970s interpretation of the iconic Tank design. Its enlarged rectangular case retains every essential Cartier code: gently rounded vertical brancards, a white dial with bold black Roman numerals, chemin de fer minute track, blued steel sword hands, and the cabochon-set crown. Yet this is not a conventional Tank Louis Cartier. The additional depth of the case and the rounder back profile accommodate an automatic movement, giving the watch a distinctive physical presence while preserving the formal clarity that has defined the Tank since its introduction.

Key Specifications

Model	Tank Louis Cartier Jumbo Automatic
Reference Family	1970s Jumbo Automatic family, including the large 17002 and smaller 17011 versions
Period	Circa 1970s
Case	Rectangular yellow-gold Tank Louis Cartier Jumbo case with rounded brancards and solid back
Dial	White dial with black Roman numerals, chemin de fer minute track, and Cartier signature
Hands	Blued steel sword hands
Crown	Yellow-gold crown set with a blue cabochon
Movement	Cartier Calibre 170, self-winding
Functions	Hours and minutes
Crystal	Mineral crystal
Strap	Brown leather strap, as fitted

Collector's Note

Cartier introduced the Tank Louis Cartier in 1922, refining the original Tank with softer brancards and a more rounded, elegant silhouette. In 1974, the model was expanded with the Jumbo Automatic, a substantially larger interpretation made in yellow and white gold. The family was offered in two dimensions: the Jumbo XL Ref. 17002 at approximately 28 by 34.5 mm, followed by the smaller and less frequently encountered Ref. 17011 at approximately 25.5 by 33 mm. The external proportions of the present watch are consistent with this Jumbo Automatic family; confirmation of the individual reference requires the caseback.

The Jumbo Automatic has a special place in Tank Louis Cartier history because it is the only version of the line equipped with the Cartier Calibre 170 self-winding movement. The automatic architecture explains the thicker, rounded caseback, a deliberate departure from the typically flat hand-wound Tank Louis Cartier profile. This construction is therefore more than a technical detail: it gives the case its particular balance on the wrist. The result is a vintage Cartier that combines the Art Deco discipline of the Tank with the practicality of automatic winding, all expressed through the warm contrast of yellow gold, white lacquered dial, deep blue hands, and cabochon crown.

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