Of course, Bargatze clarified that the famed voice-modulated Sith lord did not, in fact, wear Cartier during his campaign to annihilate the Jedi. In fact, it didnât even belong to James Earl Jone, the actor who voiced Darth Vader. Rather, it belonged to David Prowse, the English actor and bodybuilder who portrayed Vader (in physical form) in the original trilogy. In perfect Bargatze form, he then produced a printout of a Getty image of Prowse wearing the watch in question.
âYou didnât buy the image?â Fallon intoned.
âI got the watch, Jimmyâwhy would I buy the image? Itâs $375!â
Despite the sarcastic exchange, this Tank does in fact have an incredible story. According to Prowseâs autobiography Straight from the Force’s Mouth, it was gifted to him by the crown prince of Saudi Arabia. Jumping into a pool in Dallas and forgetting the watch was on his wrist, he only just managed to exit the pool in time to rush the watch off for a quick service. The crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Darth Vader, Nate Bargatzeâ¦if this Tank doesnât have the strangest provenance of any Cartier wristwatch to ever leave the brandâs atelier, I donât know what does.
The Tank must have been a fairly recent acquisition. In May of 2024, Sothebyâs actually sold this very watch for £19,200 (roughly $24,258). Bargatze told Fallon he got it âfrom a guy,â but itâs not uncommon for professional dealers to buy what they see as undervalued watches and then sell it to clients like Bargatze.
A âJumboâ Tank Louis Cartier ref. 17002, it has a slightly larger case than a standard Tank Louis Cartier and is automatically wound, with a slight protrusion in the caseback to fit the movementâs winding rotor. (Prowse was 6â6â, meaning a larger-than-average Tank would have suited him perfectly.) Itâs otherwise a standard Tank, with a white dial, chemin de fer minute track, blued steel sword handset, blue cabochon crown, and yellow gold case from Cartier’s Paris operation. Classically styled and ever beautiful, itâs the perfect dress watch.
Conversation about watches extended beyond Vaderâs Tank, too. Bargatze revealed himself as the type of collector that likes to buy pieces for special occasions. ââI like watches. I usually buy them for a special thing, like [comedy] specials,â Bargatze said. Fallon even gave the comedian a watch when he hosted Saturday Night Live. âI like to buy them as a [memento]. This is a little outside of it. This is movie memorabilia,â he said as he handed over his Tank.
âItâs a beautiful watch,â Fallon said. âI have a similar one.â He then rolled up his sleeve to reveal his own Cartier Tank. âOh wow,â replied Bargatze. âWhereâs yours from?â
âDo you know the show Alf?â