Cartier CPCP Tank Tank Á Vis 2553 “Wandering Hours” - 18K Yellow Gold - White Guilloché Dial

CPCP: Four letters that carry deep meaning for collectors and aficionados of the French Maison. An acronym for Collection Privée Cartier Paris, CPCP was introduced in 1998 as a subline representing the highest echelon of the Cartier catalog. Amidst the mechanical watchmaking renaissance of the 1990s, CPCP stood as Cartier's dedicated response—a series of timepieces crafted in limited series and to the highest standards. Models in this series typically drew inspiration from the Maison's exceptional creations before the mass-production era started in the 1970s—when watches were handcrafted in France (or London) and creativity flourished, driven by the brilliant and free-thinking minds behind the Maison. The present example, nicknamed the "Wandering Hours" or "Jump Hours," is a fascinating blend of one of Cartier's lesser-known models with one of horology's rarer complications. The Tank à Vis line pays homage to the extremely rare Tank Étanche, an intriguing variation of the Tank produced in the first half of the 20th century with the goal of creating a waterproof watch. It features a robust case with the signature "H"-shaped bezel secured by four screws and distinctive bec d'aigle–shaped lugs. Cartier's first watch to feature the jumping hour complication was the Tank à Guichet, first produced in 1928. Unlike the closed design with small windows on the original model, reference 2553 uses slightly larger apertures for the hour and date directly on the dial, paired with a decentred single hand for the minutes. True to CPCP standards, the dial is crafted from a solid gold plate adorned with a beautifully executed guilloché pattern radiating from a rose motif atop the cannon pinion. This example has been preserved in excellent condition and is secured by the iconic deployant clasp crafted in 18K yellow gold, updated here in its newer adjustable form.