Vanity Fair: Eric Wind Quoted on Jackie Kennedy Onassis' Cartier

Sunita Kumar Nair recently wrote for Vanity Fair Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy Onassis Were United by a Special Cartier Heirloom. Within the article, Kumar Nair quotes Eric Wind.

“Eric Wind of Wind Vintage recalls specific details of her watch, noting that "it was clear that it had been worn a lot and moisture had gotten in. That was kind of why the paint almost looked like it was blurring a bit," perhaps marking a well-lived life. She wore the watch as the designer Louis Cartier intended: as a utilitarian, bejeweled, luxury timepiece.

Spotting a military tank like the Renault FT-17 was commonplace during World War I, and brancards (French for "stretchers") inspired part of the watch's 18k frame. In a bid to encourage men to ditch their pocket watches and follow the ladies' suit of wearing wristwatches, he gave the watch the moniker "Le Tank" (a deliberate play on the French female form of the word "watch," la montre).

Wind explained that historically, Cartier is not believed to have kept a totally comprehensive record of all the watches, including the Tank and its variations, across the world—it would be virtually impossible with the three Cartier brothers holding court in their respective kingdoms of New York, Paris, and London, and with watches being made in London, Paris, and Switzerland for their various branches. The only accountable mainstay was and is the design of the watch. What I can say is that we will finally get to see the publicized Tank watch in London, at the most comprehensive exhibition of Cartier pieces to date at the V&A, completing part of the story.

As for the rest? Well, that remains with Jackie, which is exactly what she would have wanted.”

https://www.vanityfair.com/style/story/jackie-kennedy-carolyn-bessette-kennedy-cartier-watch