Here we have a mid 2000s Cartier Tank Divan, reference 2599. It has the horizontal rectangular case, which is formed of polished steel and measures 31.75mm wide. The 2599 was originally sold as the ‘ladies’ size of watch. It is an ideal canvas for expressive straps with the large 24mm lug width and tapered design. The dial is the light silver satin base tone with the exaggerated Roman numeral hour markers. The Cartier hidden signature is within the X numeral. The centre is signed with the Cartier name. The hands are of sword style and have the bright thermally blued tone. To the right-hand side is the Octagonal crown with has the facetted sapphire inset to the tip. The case back is held in place with screws and has the brushed finish with the Cartier signing and reference. Inside is the Cartier calibre 157 Quartz movement which is keeping accurate time.

The watch comes on its original Swiss Made Cartier leather strap, with the signed steel buckle. It will fit up to a 7.2” (18.2cm) wrist circumference.
 
We personally feel that despite this being sold as a ‘ladies’ size, it is very comfortable on a gent’s wrist, particularly as the pendulum swings back towards smaller, more elegant pieces.

It is watch only with no box or paperwork.

The model:
Released in 2002, the Cartier Tank Divan took the original tank design and re-imagined it as a horizontal rectangle, channelling the Art Deco design movement. It took inspiration for the name from the elongated couch, the ‘divan’, which was prominent in the Ottoman Empire and latterly en vogue in Europe in the 19th century.

Its run was relatively short lived, being discontinued in 2007. As such it is not all that commonly referenced or seen. It has also been a more affordable alternative to the traditional tank.

The model was divisive and was seen to “miss the mark” when it was first released, due to the unconventional shape. However, its design is deeply rooted in other Art Deco designs with the case following the shape of drivers watches from the period. If you know your watch history, you know this was a unique and sought after case layout!

The watch:
The dial is the horizontal rectangular shape and has the light silver satin base tone. The hour markers are the large, exaggerated Roman numerals in the black tone. We have always been a big fan of exaggerated hour markers as they create an impactful feel, stretching towards the edges of the dial. The texture of the markers is also pleasing with the raised print, which catches the light. The Cartier hidden signature forms part of the ‘X’ marker. The minute track is simple with the barrel shape and minimalistic 5-minute dashes. Below 12 the dial is marked with the ‘Cartier’ name, with ‘Swiss Made’ to the base of the dial.

The hands are of sword style with the bevelled edges. They are the bright thermally blued tone which is a joy to look at and provides a sharp contrast with the silver dial.

The case measures 31.75mm wide with a length of 19.6mm to the centre and a total lug to lug length of 25.6mm. It is comfortable due to its slim depth of just over 6mm and the curvature. The lug width is large at 24mm, tapering into the 19mm width at the buckle. As mentioned, this makes this watch an ideal canvas for playful strap colours. This reference was sold as a ‘ladies’ size, but does wear quite large with the strap width, making it very comfortable on a gent’s wrist too.

The case is the horizontal rectangle, which is formed of stainless steel with the polished finish. It is a squat, but wide case which is uncommon to see in modern watch design. It has a neat curvature which makes it a comfortable fit to the wrist. It has clean lines with the top and bottom section intersecting with the straight lines of the sides. These central bands curve downwards at a sharper angle than the sides, catching the light nicely and blending into the strap well. To the right-hand side is the octagonal crown which has the facetted sapphire inset to the tip.

The case back is curved with the back being held in place by eight screws. It has the brushed finish with the large ‘Cartier’ signing to the top. Below it is signed as ‘Water resistant’ and ‘Stainless steel’. It has the serial number with the reference 2599. Inside it is marked as ‘Swiss made’ with the Cartier flower mark.

The movement is the Cartier calibre 157 which is a 4 jewel Quartz movement. It is keeping accurate time and has had a new battery fitted.

The watch is presented on its original ‘Swiss made’ Cartier strap which fits the 24mm lug width. The strap tapers to a 19mm width at the buckle end and it has the original Cartier signed steel buckle. The strap will fit up to a 7.2” (18.2cm) wrist circumference.

The watch is modelled on a 17.8cm wrist circumference.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.

Dial:
The dial is in perfect condition with no signs of ageing or marking.

Hands:
The hands are in perfect condition with no signs of ageing or marking.

Glass:
The glass is original and is in good condition with no marking.

Crown:
The crown is original and is in good condition with the polished finish and un-marked sapphire inset to the tip.

Case:
The case is formed of stainless steel and has the polished finish. It has scratching to the top of the case. The sides of the case have marking, with a deeper mark on the crown side.

Case back:
The case back is in strong original condition. The brushed finish is well defined, with clear engraving and only light marking.

Strap:
The watch is presented on its original Cartier strap which has the original Cartier signed steel buckle. The strap will fit up to a 7.2” (18.2cm) wrist circumference. It has signs of wear, but still has life left in it.

Movement:
The movement is the Cartier calibre 157 which is a 4 jewel Quartz movement. It is keeping accurate time and has had a new battery fitted.

Case dimensions
Case width: 31.75mm
Case width with crown: 35.5mm
Case length: 19.6mm
Case length lug to lug: 25.6mm
Case depth: 6.3mm
Strap width: 24mm