The slippery Cartier Tank Basculante 2499c is one of the best kept secrets by Cartier aficionados. Released under the CPCP line from 1998 to 2008, The 2499c its by far one of the most beautiful, intriguing, and rarest CPCP models.

As you may have noticed before, in comparison to other CPCP pieces, like Tortues, Tonneaus, Tanks a Vis, etc, that are more commonly seen for sale, The 2499c rarely surfaces and appears on the market…and when it does, it gets reserved very quickly.

The Cartier Tank Basculante 2499c shows the Rossette motif and the “Paris” marking on the dial; However, the guilloche technique used in this model is jaw dropping, no picture will ever do it justice. It will not show the true depth of the silvered finish it displays.

Although the dial is a true work of art, there is another real sensation that one gets by flipping the case on its vertical axis and discovering the open case back. It absolutely is the epitome of elegance, grace and simplicity!

While wearing the watch turned around, even for watch aficionados, it will be difficult to figure out what’s on your wrist…and that’s the thing I like the most about this piece, it’s mysterious and discrete.

The manual winding movement is a highly decorated Frederique Piguet 610 or 060MC as Cartier calls it. This great movement makes this piece super slim and super light to wear.

On the wrist, the watch sits comfortably. The size of 41.9 x 23.3 is a little bigger than the normal Tank, but fits perfectly.

This is one of the most amazing and rare pieces from La Mansion, as mysterious as a Tank a Guichets, yet as beautiful as a Tank Louis.