18K White Gold Vintage Tank Américaine Style Diamond and Sapphire Watch Case
Watch Case · White Gold, likely rhodium-plated for high-luster silver-tone finish.
Purity: 18K (750 fineness), consisting of 75% pure gold and 25% alloy metals like palladium or nickel for strength and color.
Type
Watch Case
Purity
18K (750 fineness), consisting of 75% pure gold and 25% alloy metals like palladium or nickel for strength and color.
Gold Type
White Gold, likely rhodium-plated for high-luster silver-tone finish.
Weight
12-18 grams for the case and clasp components, excluding the leather strap.
Description
An exquisite luxury timepiece case crafted from solid 18K white gold. Featuring a curved, anatomical profile designed to hug the wrist, the bezel is meticulously set with diamonds to catch the light from any angle. The distinctive blue sapphire accents on the lugs provide a pop of regal color against the monochromatic gold.
Key Features
Blue sapphire lug cabochons; pavé diamond bezel; curved 'cintrée' case profile; white gold construction.
Color & Finish
Brilliant cool silver tone with a high-mirror polish on the case flanks; pavé set accents on the bezel providing fire and spectral refraction.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Not visible in current angle; typically found on the case back or between the lugs. Likely includes '750' and a Swiss assay 'St. Bernard's head' if Cartier or European manufacture.
Dimensions Estimate
Case length approximately 32mm-35mm (Small or Medium model), with a width of 19mm-22mm.
Gemstones & Inlays
Numerous round brilliant cut diamonds pavé-set on the bezel; blue sapphire cabochons set into the lugs and a faceted sapphire or spinel on the crown.
Clasp & Closure
Tongue-and-groove or deployant buckle system (not fully visible); case features a sapphire-accented winding crown.
Chain & Links
N/A; paired with a black textured leather or alligator skin strap with screw-pin lug attachments.
Craftsmanship Details
High-precision milling of the solid gold block; hand-set stones with consistent prong heights; seamless integration between the case and the strap pins.
Authentication Indicators
The crispness of the bezel settings and the color consistency of the gold suggest a high-purity solid alloy. Sharpness of the crown facets is typical for authentic luxury manufacture.
Origin & Maker
Likely Switzerland or France; aesthetic aligns with 'Cartier' or high-end 'Piaget' or 'Chopard' luxury jewelry watch houses.
Era & Period
Contemporary with Retro-inspired Art Deco lines; specific design evokes the 1990s and early 2000s revival of curved luxury timepieces.
Age Estimate
Circa 1995-2015 based on the stone setting style and the high-polish finish of the case profile.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of peak high-society status and mid-century glamour, often worn as 'jewelry that tells time' rather than a mere tool.
Condition Notes
Very Good. Micro-scratches visible on the polished gold flank; strap shows signs of wear and creasing at the lug interface.
Value Estimate
Retail replacement Value: $12,000-$18,000; Resale value: $5,000-$8,500 depending on branding and movement condition.
Care & Maintenance
Avoid chemicals that strip rhodium plating; clean with a soft dry cloth; avoid ultrasonic cleaners due to the delicate pave-set diamonds.
Similar Items
Cartier Tank Cintrée, Patek Philippe Gondolo, or Art Deco vintage cocktail watches.
Interesting Facts
The curved watch case was popularized by Cartier to make watches more ergonomic; 'Américaine' models were specifically launched to celebrate a bold, elongated aesthetic.