1970s Cartier Tank Stepped Case | "NEW YORK" Edition | Mécanique | Black Gilt Lacquer Dial | Ref. 25716 | With Buckle

Officially introduced in the early 1970s, just before the Must de Cartier era, Cartier’s bold, sculptural case designs from this period stand as some of the maison’s most distinctive creations. Produced between 1973 and 1976, the stepped Tank “New York” (ref. 25716) represents the rarest and most sought-after of the trilogy that also included the Paris and London variants.

While all three share the same overarching design language, the New York execution is markedly different in several important ways. It features a recessed crown, unique to this branch, and a caseback secured by four screws, a more robust construction compared with the simple snap-back design used on the Paris and London versions. Even the gold finish sets it apart: this model features a 20-micron rolled-gold layer, rather than the standard electroplating found on its siblings, giving it a richer, more durable presence on the wrist.

With approximately 2,500 examples produced, half the output of the Paris and London workshops, the New York variant remains the scarcest of the trio. For collectors, it represents the perfect intersection of rarity, craftsmanship, and the daring creative spirit that defined Cartier in the early ’70s.