1990s Cartier Tank Basculante Manual WInd (Ref. 2390)

History and Significance

The Tank Basculante is what happens when Cartier takes a practical problem and refuses to solve it in an ordinary way. Created in the early 1930s, its rectangular case can be released from its frame and rotated, allowing the dial to face inward and protecting the crystal. The concept came from the same sporting era that produced other reversible watches, but Cartier's execution was distinctly more architectural. Rather than flipping from side to side, the entire watch pivots vertically within its surrounding frame.

Reference 2390 revives that unusual construction in a watch that otherwise contains nearly every classical Cartier signature. The silver guilloché dial is surrounded by oversized Roman numerals, a chemin de fer minute track, and blued steel hands. A manually wound movement keeps the case slim and preserves the interaction that makes a watch like this enjoyable in the first place. Wind it, release the case, rotate it, and put it back on the wrist. There is a physical quality to the Basculante that most modern dress watches simply do not have.

For all of its mechanical cleverness, however, the rotating case never becomes the entire point. Closed and worn normally, the Basculante remains an exceptionally elegant rectangular Cartier. That balance between ingenuity and restraint is why the design has endured.

Writer’s Thoughts

The Tank is normally celebrated because of how simple it is, yet the Basculante takes that familiar formula and adds an entire mechanical structure around it. You can see the rails, hinges, and frame every time you rotate the case, but none of it makes the watch feel bulky or overengineered. Reference 2390 still wears exactly like the elegant Cartier it is.

The guilloché dial on this example adds texture without competing with the Roman numerals and blued hands, and the steel case keeps everything understated. We've fitted this Tank Basculante to a black leather strap so the focus remains entirely on the watch itself. There are more recognizable Cartier references, but very few are as fun to actually handle.

Our Promise

Every watch is thoroughly vetted, carefully described with complete transparency, and guaranteed authentic. Each piece is offered in honest condition, ensuring collectors receive a timepiece that reflects both originality and integrity.

Brand: Cartier

Model: Tank Basculante

Year: Circa 1990s

Case Material: Stainless steel

Case Size: Approximately 25mm x 38mm

Dial: Silver guilloché dial with black Roman numerals

Movement: Manual wind

Strap/Bracelet: New unworn generic black leather strap

Buckle/Clasp: Generic stainless steel buckle

Contents: Watch only