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Cartier Gondole "Paris" Dial 1701 - 18K Yellow Gold

Details

First you see the Unconventional Form, Then you get to the Dial Signature

From the inventive "Louis Cartier Collection" of the early 1970s, the Gondole stands as a testament to the brand's exploration of case geometry. Less common than a Tank or Santos, the Gondole's design is defined by its rounded rectangular shape and a deeply stepped bezel that gives it a substantial presence on the wrist. This model features the sought-after "Paris" signature on the dial, indicating it was originally retailed through Cartier's legendary flagship boutique.

The "Paris" Signature

Aside from a bit of aesthetic spidering, the dial is clean and legible, featuring the classic Cartier layout of black Roman numerals and blued steel hands. The key detail is the "Paris" signature just below the brand name, indicating the watch was originally sold at the company's historic Place Vendôme boutique. This small detail connects the piece directly to the heart of Cartier's legacy and is a desirable feature for collectors.

A Well-Preserved Gold Case

The watch is in overall good condition. The 18K yellow gold case shows modest wear consistent with its age. It appears unpolished, retaining its original lines and the definition of its stepped bezel. It's fitted to a black leather strap that secures with its original Cartier buckle. As with every watch we offer, this piece has been verified as mechanically sound and is ready to wear.

For The Cartier Connoisseur

This watch is for the collector who appreciates the less-obvious designs from Cartier's most creative period. Its personality is driven by the unusual case shape and the historical significance of its "Paris" signed dial. This Gondole is a piece of design history, a thoughtful choice for someone who values character and brand heritage.

Key Specs

Reference: 1701

Model: Gondole "Paris" Dial

Year: 1970s

Era: 1970s

Movement: Automatic

Case Size: 31x27mm

Bezel: 18K Yellow Gold Integrated

Strap: Black Leather with Original Buckle

Dial: "Paris" Dial

Metal: 18K Yellow Gold

SKU: 673

History

The Tank was designed by Louis Cartier in 1917, inspired by the aerial view of the Renault tanks used by the Allied forces on the Western Front. The "rails" of the case — the vertical bars that run along the sides of the watch — were a direct formal translation of the tank's tracks into a wearable object. It was a design that imposed order and geometry onto the wristwatch at a time when most cases were either round or oval, and the result was a visual language so complete that the watch required almost no revision in the century that followed.

The Tank's influence on watch design is difficult to overstate. The rectangular case with integrated lugs became the defining form of the dressed watch for the entire twentieth century, and the Cartier execution remained the standard against which every competitor was measured. The Roman numeral dial, the sword-shaped hands, the cabochon crown, and the fine leather strap were all present in early production and have remained characteristic of the reference through every subsequent generation. When other manufacturers have needed to indicate luxury and restraint simultaneously, the Tank has been the reference that their designers inevitably consulted.

The collector market for the Tank spans over a century of production and several distinct reference families — the original Tank, the Tank Louis Cartier, the Tank Américaine, the Tank Française, and the Tank Solo among them. The most sought-after examples are the early manually-wound references in yellow gold with Roman numeral dials, which represent the purest expression of the original design intent. Later references offer more accessible price points with the same essential design logic, making the Tank one of the few watches in history where the entire production history is worth collecting.