This Cartier Tank Basculante, ref. 2499C, is one of the rarer models within the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) line and only Tank Basculante with a sapphire exhibition caseback. At its time of release, the 2499C perfectly balanced the vintage, whimsical charm of Cartier’s first rotating ‘Cabriolet’ case design with the serious attention to traditional watchmaking that the CPCP line revived so successfully. This craftsmanship can be seen both at first glance in the guilloche dial, as well as upon manipulation of the Basculante mechanism which reveals the 060 MC calibre through its exhibition caseback. While the CPCP range featured two Basculante references, a 2391 with solid caseback and this 2499C, the 2499C more proudly showcases the work Cartier invested in resuscitating fine mechanical calibres. It is also one of the rarer CPCP references. Though it comes from the line meant to redeem Cartier’s reputation in fine watchmaking, its ‘Cabriolet’ (convertible) mechanism offers a playful, lighthearted character to this otherwise rather serious dress watch.
Basculante, French for ‘tilting', refers to the rotating mechanism that was designed for protection of the crystal. Pulling on the tab marked with a cabochon at the case’s 12 position reveals a frame within which the case can rotate, similar in function to the Reverso that was released 1 year prior. Though patented by different designers, the original Reverso and Basculante cases were both produced by the same manufacturer, Spécialités Horlogères. The Basculante, first released in 1932 in steel, was a relatively rare though not highly desired offering. From the 20’s to the 60’s only about 2000 Tanks were produced, a small fraction of which were Basculantes. This ‘Golden Age’ of Cartier was a time when the brand was family owned, and the products produced showed the level of care that exists only when the name printed on the dial is your own. In 1964, however, the brand was sold outside the family and after changing hands again in 1972, a focus on increased production resulted in mass manufacturing technique. The Basculante did not escape the quartz crisis, as a result the novelty of the mechanism can be found at modest price in quartz offerings. While the model never gained a great following in its time, many preferred it due to its slightly larger case size than the Tank Louis & Normale (this CPCP measures 39x25mm).
As the watch world recovered from the quartz crisis, Cartier took notice. In 1998 they released the CPCP line, a callback to the ‘Golden Era’ of Cartier when quality cases, dials, and groundbreaking designs were the calling cards of the brand, in order to capture a renewed interest in fine mechanical watchmaking. Studying this CPCP Tank Basculante reveals features common to the CPCP range. It features a rosette guilloché dial framed by the familiar geometry of a Tank case in yellow gold. Flipping up the case reveals a repeating ‘C’ motif printed inside the housing and an exhibition caseback proudly displaying a Frédéric Piguet 610 ébauche, beautifully finished and named Cartier 060 MC. The CPCP Basculante mechanism remains the same as the original yet here offers a reveal of an exhibition caseback, rather than bare metal, and far tighter machining tolerances with a reaffirming click into place.
Cartier was born of a love for design, craftsmanship, and artistry. While the brand may have lost it way during its awkward restructuring years, these characteristics are now easily recognizable within the CPCP line. The CPCP Basculante combines Cartier’s classic, tasteful design language with the novel charm of the ‘Cabriolet’ mechanism. To the well-informed collector this watch represents not only quality craftsmanship and a balance between classic, elegant, formal design and playful character. It represents, perhaps more importantly, the redemption of the Cartier brand.
