Cartier Jumbo Tank ' Stepped Case' Ref. 5512116

This is a  wonderfull and rare Jumbo stepped Tank reference 5512116 , launched in the early 1970s before the Must de Cartier collection was launched.  The oversized AKA the  “Tank Hicham”  forms part of Cartier’s elusive Stepped‑Case family of the mid‑1970s, one of the most intriguing and least documented chapters of Cartier’s pre‑must de Cartier era. This timepiece features a large 28mm x 38mm case with  yellow gold plating and a stepped design that immediately differentiates it from other Tank designs.  The black dial with gold gilt numerals is the most sought after of all the dial colors.    These watches are recognised for their sharply tiered bezel, painted Roman numerals and bold reinterpretation of the classic Tank aesthetic during a period when Cartier’s major boutiques still operated independently.  With limited examples made, well preserved survivors are extremely rare, due to dial ageing, heavy wear, and the fragile gold‑plated brass cases.  This lovely watch is powered by a Cartier caliber 78-1 manual wind movement.