Tank Louis Cartier 78086 — Swiss Dial

HODINKEE’s Anthony Traina estimates about 15,000 made (serials documented up to 14,xxx); production of the 1973 Louis Cartier Collection models ran into the mid-1980s. Three cabochonCabochonA stone polished into a smooth dome without facets. In watches, cabochons can decorate the crown or dial; the term describes the cut rather than a particular gemstone. crown types follow the serials: Type 1 (tall, pointed) from the start to about 6xxx–7xxx, Type 2 (short, pointed) most common at 7xxx–8xxx, Type 3 (stubby, rounded) mostly 10,xxx–14,xxx. Running numbers recorded at Antiquorum span 0082 to 13966 (case Nos. 780860082–7808613966). Antiquorum’s decade estimates for these numbers are not consistent (e.g. 0082 “circa 1985”, 5169 “circa 1980”, 2657 and 13966 “1990s”), so no serial-to-year table is given.