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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Tank Cintrée

Cartier Tank Cintrée '7 Lignes' London

Partially verified

The Cartier Tank Cintrée '7 Lignes' is an elongated, curved rectangular wristwatch measuring approximately 18mm x 34mm. Produced by Cartier London during a period when the London branch operated independently of Paris and New York, the watch features a manual-winding Jaeger-LeCoultre movement. The white dial, which has undergone professional restoration, includes black printed indices, Roman numerals, and dual signatures of 'Cartier' and 'London'. The timepiece is equipped with a sapphire cabochon crown at the 3 o'clock position and is mounted on a black alligator leather strap with an 18k deployant clasp signed by Cartier. The watch case displays hallmarks indicating its London origin and includes a serial number matching the case number.

Front view of the Cartier Tank Cintrée '7 Lignes' showing the restored white dial and sapphire-set crown.
Front view of the Cartier Tank Cintrée '7 Lignes' showing the restored white dial and sapphire-set crown. — Oliver & Clarke. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
oliverandclarke.com
Category
Wristwatch · Tank Cintrée
Maker / attribution
Cartier
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Not established
Source-reported place
Not established

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Design

The Tank Cintrée '7 Lignes' is characterized by its elongated, curved rectangular case form. Unlike the common bubbleback design associated with the 7 Lignes model, this specific watch utilizes a more rounded rectangular caseback. The case exhibits finishing features consistent with the production era of the London branch.

The matte white dial displays black Roman numerals and a central minutes track. The dial bears the signature 'Cartier' in the upper half and 'London' in the lower half, positioned in a scripted font. The hands are fashioned from blue-steel, and the winding crown is set with a sapphire cabochon.

Evidence for this section
  • “features a curved rectangular case like all Cintrée models coming in at approximately 18mm x 34mm”
  • “This example, however, has a more rounded rectangular caseback, rather than the 'bubbleback' design”
  • “The "Cartier" and "London" script beautifully compliment eachother on their respective halves of the dial”

Movement and Origin

The timepiece is powered by a manual-winding movement supplied by Jaeger-LeCoultre. The watch was produced by the Cartier London operation, which at the time functioned as an independent entity from the Paris and New York houses, resulting in unique specifications for movements, case architecture, and dial designs.

Internal components include hallmarks intended to confirm the London origins of the watch. The caseback features a serial number that corresponds to the internal case number, a specific trait noted in certain London-produced examples.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cartier London was more or less operating completely independently of Cartier Paris and New York”
  • “used to set and wind the Jaeger-LeCoultre manual-winding movement within”
  • “the correct Cartier London hallmarks confirming the origin of this piece are visible and clear”

Condition and Accoutrements

The auction description reports that the watch remains in good condition, noting a strong case profile. The white dial has been subjected to professional restoration. The watch is currently fitted with a black alligator leather strap.

The ensemble is completed by an 18k gold deployant clasp, which bears the Cartier signature.

Evidence for this section
  • “This example is comes to us in very nice overall condition.”
  • “The white dial inside has been professionally restored”
  • “fitted to a black alligator leather strap with its correct Cartier signed 18k deployant clasp”

Open research questions

  • What specific years define the period of independent operation for Cartier London?
  • Does the serial number correspond to existing Cartier London ledgers?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Cartier Tank Cintrée '7 Lignes' London
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerCartier“King of Jewelers and the Jeweler of Kings”
ModelTank Cintrée '7 Lignes'“a small size called the '7 Lignes'”
Case DimensionsApproximately 18mm x 34mm“coming in at approximately 18mm x 34mm”
MovementJaeger-LeCoultre manual-winding“Jaeger-LeCoultre manual-winding movement”
Dial ConditionProfessionally restored“The white dial inside has been professionally restored”
ProvenanceCartier London“Cartier London was more or less operating completely independently of Cartier Paris and New York”
IdentificationMatching case and serial numbers“some of the London pieces actually featured a serial number that matches the case number, which is what we have here.”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Roman numerals and 'Cartier'/'London' script
  • Blue-steel hands
  • Sapphire cabochon-set winding crown
  • Black alligator leather strap with 18k gold deployant clasp

Research qualifications

  • The source states the watch is in 'very nice overall condition' and 'possibly even unpolished', which are unverified assertions.
  • The exact year of production is not specified.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Cartier Tank Cintrée '7 Lignes' - London

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 90e169781d

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.