There are certain designs that just resonate throughout the years and remain evergreen despite changing trends and tastes.
The Tank, in all its one hundred-plus years of production, is one such design. Whether in gold (yellow, pink, or white), stainless steel, or vermeil; whether Française, Chinoise, Americaine, or Normale; the Tank by Cartier is one watch that truly deserves to be called ‘iconic.’
Cartier introduced the Tank in 1917, with a run of six pieces — given, or so the legend goes, to American General Joseph Pershing and his staff. Its design was said to be inspired by the Renault FT-17 tanks Cartier glimpsed on the battlefield of the Great War. (Cartier supposedly took the look of the Renault tank's treads and applied it to the lugs, which were integrated via brancards into the case itself.) That first run of six pieces increased to thirty-three by 1920, and by the end of the 20th century, that number stood well in the thousands. In sheer volume alone, the Tank — in all its various models — is Cartier's largest line of watches.
In 1977, Cartier debuted the Must de Cartier watch line as a lower-priced alternative to the more premium solid-gold offerings such as the Tank Louis. Housed in vermeil cases, adorned with power-suit dial tones and equipped with hand-wound movements, they reappeared in the lineup in 2021 — much to the delight of watch lovers everywhere.
This particular example dates back to the 1980s and features a 23mm x 31mm yellow gold plated case with a captivating tri-tone metallic dial. All the Cartier hallmarks are present including a sapphire cabochon crown, blued-steel hands and a double Cartier signature — only this time it’s the original Cartier monogram featuring the two intertwining ‘C’s’.
Powered by a manual-winding movement and paired to our Laika Black II Cervo strap fitted with a period gold tone ‘ardillon’ pin buckle, this piece also includes a service pouch from Cartier alongside its factory booklets and warranty card.
This Tank must be on your radar if you’re looking for a Cartier with a bit of flair …and one that won’t break the bank, either.
