Cartier Tank 5512117 Blue Dial on Leather

The Cartier Tank is among the most consequential case designs of the twentieth century, and the stepped variant — distinguished by the raised, tiered shoulders that give the case its architectural tension — represents one of the more refined expressions of that form. Reference 5512117 is a large-model Tank Stepped in silver, manually wound, carrying the quiet authority that comes from a design that has never needed to announce itself. The manual-winding movement suits the Tank completely; there is no rotor to thicken the case, and the slim profile is part of what the watch is.

The blue dial is the configuration worth seeking here. Against a silver case, it reads with a depth that the more common white or cream dials simply do not produce — the color shifts from near-navy in shadow to something closer to slate in open light, and no photograph has yet captured it accurately. Roman indices, a sapphire cabochon crown, and a sapphire crystal complete a watch that is consistent in its details. The leather strap is correct for the reference and keeps the wrist presence exactly where it should be.

Offered in very good condition overall; the crystal shows signs of wear. Watch only, no box or papers. Serviced July 2026.