CARTIER Tank, n° 27689 / 28591 CARTIER Tank, n° 27689 / 28591 Circa 1934 18k (750) yellow gold wristwatch once owned by Prince Igor Nikolaïevitch Troubetzkoy Case: rectangular, crown adorned with a faceted sapphire, engraved on the back "Victoire !!! 16-6-1934 " Dial: white, Roman numerals, railway minute track, signed "Cartier Paris". Movement: mechanical, signed Cartier Buckle: pink gold folding clasp, numbered 15159 Size: 30 x 22 mm Gross weight: 34.50 g. Provenance: Personal collection of Prince Igor Troubetzkoy, to the present owner by descent. A 18k yellow gold manual winding wristwatch, caseback engraved " Victoire !!! 16-6-1934",rose gold deployant clasp numbered Origin : Property of Prince Igor Troubetzkoy, family heritage Bibliography: Franco Cologni, "Cartier, la montre Tank icône du temps", Flammarion, Paris, 2012, a similar example, mounted on a gold bracelet and not marked "Paris" on the dial, is reproduced on p. 119. Our example can be compared with the model sold to Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, illustrated in the reference book "Cartier, la montre Tank icône du temps". The only difference is that the model shown here is mounted on a leather strap and bears the word "Paris" on the dial at 6 o'clock. The present watch is similar to the model sold to Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, illustrated in the reference book "Cartier, la montre Tank icône du temps". The only difference is the present watch is mounted on a leather strap and bears the word "Paris" on the dial at 6 o'clock. If the Tank is as iconic as it is timeless, the example presented here is remarkable for two reasons. Firstly, according to the numbering on the case back, it was probably made in 1934. While it's true that the Tank has been an iconic watch since 1925, with Cartier selling around 500 pieces a year, it should be noted that production collapsed as early as 1930. In one of the finest books dedicated to this watch, "Cartier, la montre Tank icône du temps", Franco Cologni, the former president of Cartier, reveals that in 1932 the company produced only 130 pieces, and says of Tank watches, "except in 1937, they never reached 300 pieces a year for the whole decade". The second reason is that, while the 1930s production is one of the rarest, making this watch a highly attractive collector's item, its provenance is equally prestigious. Entrusted to the sale by the descendants of Prince Igor Nikolaïevitch Troubetzkoy, this Tank belonged to the husband of one of the company's most important 20th-century clients: billionaire Barbara Hutton. Born in Paris on August 23, 1912, Prince Igor Nikolaïevitch Troubetzkoy came from one of the greatest princely families of the Russian nobility. Remembered as the first Scuderia Ferrari driver, "Prince Igor" convinced Enzo Ferrari in 1947 to enter his cars in motor racing. In 1948, he made the brand part of motorsport legend by winning the Monaco Grand Prix at the wheel of a Ferrari. The enigmatic engraving "Victoire !!! 16-6-1934" on the back of the case, on the other hand, does not seem to refer to one of the many prizes won by Igor Troubetzkoy, or even to the legendary Le Mans 24-hour race, the start of which for 1934 was nevertheless launched on June 16. In the 1930s, the Prince still devoted himself to cycling, taking part in numerous races in this discipline. Offered for the first time at auction, this watch is a fascinating object for any lover of "Chic à la Française". If the Tank is as iconic as it is timeless, the present watch is remarkable for two reasons. Firstly, according to the numbering on the case back, it was probably made in 1934. While it's true that the Tank has been an iconic watch since 1925, with Cartier selling around 500 pieces a year, it should be noted that production collapsed as early as 1930. In one of the finest books dedicated to this watch, "Cartier, la montre Tank icône du temps", Franco Cologni, the former president of Cartier, reveals that in 1932 the company produced only 130 pieces, and says of Tank watches, "except in 1937, they never reached 300 pieces a year for the whole decade". The second reason is that, while the 1930s production is one of the rarest, making this watch a highly attractive collector's item, its provenance is equally prestigious. Entrusted to the sale by the descendants of Prince Igor Nikolaïevitch Troubetzkoy, this Tank belonged to the husband of one of the company's most important 20th-century customers: billionaire Barbara Hutton. Born in Paris on August 23, 1912, Prince Igor Nikolaïevitch Troubetzkoy came from one of the greatest princely families of the Russian nobility. Rem