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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.

What Our Clients Say About Us

Dan Young
4 months ago

I knew I was gonna like Danny, based on his name, but nothing could’ve prepared me for how great of an experience this was. He had the most beautiful 70s Seamaster Cosmic on his website and I was set to be married 2 days later - I arranged to buy it but before leaving we both realized it needed to be serviced. I panicked, because I was literally buying this for my wedding, and Danny being the legend he is, loaned me a nearly identical Seamaster to make sure I could get through the event Never have I had someone go so above and beyond for me, especially while purchasing one of the lesser priced items in their inventory. He serviced my watch and exchanged it with me after the wedding on a super fast turnaround timeline. I would sincerely recommend you visit this guy, you will not be disappointed Edit: adding a pic of the loaner (two tone) and the owner (crosshair)

Patrick Farella
5 months ago

Great service and shop. Danny and his team were incredibly accommodating, professional, and kind. Great selection of vintage watches. Their store is the hidden gem in the diamond district.

Zee06
2 months ago

This was my first real luxury watch purchase, a Rolex 15200 Date 34mm, I own Tissots and a Laco, but those are entry level luxury watches. I found Danny’s Vintage Watches online, and had great feedback both on Google, Chrono24 and the Reddit watch community. So decided to give him a shot as buying online can be a crap shoot. Ordered Monday night, was at my doorstep Friday morning. Despite the watch being over 30 years old, serial number says it’s from 91, the watch looked new. Didn’t come with box or papers, and was shipped in a plastic sleeve wrapped in bubble wrap. Danny was always available to answer questions. I’ll be buying from Danny again for the next purchase…saw a couple of Speedmasters on his site I liked….

Mohammed Islam
4 months ago

Can't recommend Danny's vintage watches enough!!! My first Omega ever and im in love have been wearing every day since I purchased it. Danny's shop is a must visit if you are in NYC looking for a watch!!!