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Cartier Tank Vermeil - Black Spider Dial

Details

The dial is what makes this different

This Tank Vermeil comes from the 1970s, when Cartier was experimenting inside familiar shapes rather than reinventing them. The proportions stay classic, but the black spider dial immediately sets it apart. These painted spider dials were never consistent from one example to the next, and that unpredictability is exactly why collectors chase them.

Why this configuration matters

These black dials dials are not a finish that ages quietly. They either survive or they do not. When they do, they become the focal point of the watch. This one shows the characteristic webbing that defines the style without overwhelming legibility.

What you need to know before wearing it

Overall condition is good and consistent with age. The dial presents well with visible spidering as mentioned. The case shows normal wear for it's age. The watch is fitted with a leather strap and an aftermarket buckle. It's running and in good mechanical condition after passing by our test bench. 

Why this watch still works

This tank is a character driven example from a period when Cartier allowed variation to exist rather than correcting it. It works for someone who values vintage Cartier for its quirks and experimentation rather than uniformity. Distinct, wearable, and far less common than standard Tank Vermeil examples.

Every watch we offer has been authenticated and mechanically looked over to ensure immediate usability.

Bracelet extension, cutting, or sizing is available upon request through our professional in-house jewelers.

Key Specs

Model: Tank Vermeil

Year: 1970s

Movement: Manual wind

Case Size: 24 × 32mm

Bezel: Gold-plated silver

Bracelet: Leather strap with aftermarket buckle

Dial: Black spider dial

History

Louis Cartier designed the Tank in 1917, inspired by the aerial view of a Renault FT tank on the Western Front — its parallel "rails" mimicking the tracks, its rectangular body echoing the vehicle's profile. The watch was introduced in 1919 and immediately claimed its place as one of the most significant case designs in watchmaking history.

The Tank has never gone out of production, and its list of admirers reads like a century of cultural history: Jackie Kennedy, Andy Warhol, Princess Diana, Yves Saint Laurent. It is the watch of the intelligentsia, the creative, the quietly powerful.

The Tank Must — introduced in the 1970s in vermeil (gold-plated silver) — democratized the design, bringing the silhouette to a new generation. The Tank Louis Cartier in 18-karat gold represents the elevated end. The Tank Solo in stainless steel is the accessible entry point. All three carry the same essential idea: that a rectangle of precious metal can be more beautiful than any complication.