Cartier Tank

A Watch With Military Roots

The Tank is one of the most successful watch collections from the Parisian watch and jewelry manufacturer Cartier. The range has been in the Maison’s product catalog for more than 100 years without interruption and is considered the standard when it comes to geometric watches.

The main feature of the Cartier Tank is its rectangular case, in which the flanks merge seamlessly into the lugs. The combination of a typical Cartier Art Deco dial with Roman numerals, railroad minute markers, and blued hands results in a straightforward, elegant design. This is what has made the Tank a timeless icon in the watch world.

Since its launch in 1917, Cartier has made countless variations of the Tank, including the Solo, Américaine, Must, Française, and Louis Cartier ranges, among others. The collections include watches in sizes S (small) to XL (extra large), making the Tank interesting for both men and women.

Cartier Tank Materials and Caliber

The watches in the Tank collection are available in stainless steel, gold, and other precious metals. Some models are also embellished with diamonds and other precious stones.

As far as the movement is concerned, Cartier usually uses precise quartz movements in the smaller models. Since 2021, you can also opt for solar-powered variants. Tank models with a larger case are predominantly equipped with self-winding mechanical calibers. In recent years, Cartier has increasingly relied on in-house movements. In older models, the Parisian Maison used movements from manufacturers such as Jaeger-LeCoultre or ETA.

The Cartier Tank at a Glance

• Rectangular case and dial
• Art Deco Roman numerals
• Available with automatic, quartz, or solar movements
• Men’s and women’s sizes
• Popular variants: Tank Solo, Tank Must, Tank Américaine, Tank Française, Tank Louis Cartier
• Stainless steel, gold, and platinum cases
• Leather or metal bands

History of the Cartier Tank

According to tradition, Louis Cartier designed the tank in 1917 after seeing the then-new tanks on the front lines of the First World War. The French Renault FT-17 and the British Mark VI, in particular, are said to have served as inspiration. The long lugs, for example, call to mind images of tank tracks from that era. Cartier was so impressed by the vehicles that he named the watch after them.

Louis Cartier presented one of the first Tank watches to the commander of the US troops in Europe, General John Pershing (1860 – 1948), in 1918. After the end of the First World War, this spectacular new wristwatch made a significant contribution to the gradual end of the pocket watch era.

Price Overview: Cartier Tank

How much does a Cartier Tank cost?

Due to the abundance of model variants, prices for a Cartier Tank are wide-ranging. Stainless steel models such as the Tank Solo ref. WSTA0030 with a quartz movement can be found on Chrono24 in unworn condition for around 5,320.3 NZD. At around 6,794.48 NZD, the Tank Must SolarBeat ref. WSTA0059 is in a similar price range.

For sportier models such as the Tank Française ref. WSTA0067 with an automatic caliber, you can expect notably higher prices. You’ll need about 10,773.02 NZD on hand for an unworn piece.

You should budget considerably more for watches with a gold case. The Tank Américaine ref. 1710 costs around 21,322.08 NZD. Particularly rare Tank models top the price range. One example is the Tank Cintrée ref. WGTA0057, which you can purchase unworn for around 107,753.54 NZD.

How much do vintage Cartier Tank models cost?

Due to its long history, you will find countless vintage examples of the Cartier Tank on Chrono24. Prices vary greatly depending on the model, age, and condition of the watch. For vintage models produced between the 1970s and early 2000s, prices start at around $1,000. For well-preserved examples from the first half of the 20th century, on the other hand, you should budget at least $12,000. For particularly rare models, the price can quickly climb above the $50,000 mark.

Is the Cartier Tank a good investment?

The performance of the Cartier Tank can generally be described as relatively stable. However, a lot depends on the specific model. The Tank Must Solar Beat ref. WSTA0059, for example, has fallen in price by around -7% year-on-year. The Tank Solo ref. WSTA0030 increased in value by +25% over the same period.

Cartier Tank Solo: Entry Into the Tank Collection

Watches from the Tank Solo line are perfect entry points into the Tank collection. The design of the watches is based on that of the original Tank from the 1920s. The white dial features Art Deco Roman numerals, blued hands, and the crown is adorned with a spinel cabochon.

The Cartier Tank Solo is available in different sizes and is suitable for both men and women. The smaller models have quartz movements, while the large model is equipped with an automatic caliber.

Cartier mainly uses stainless steel in this series. However, you can also find 18-karat gold versions on Chrono24. The watches are worn on either alligator leather straps or metal link bracelets.

Cartier Tank Must With Innovative Solar Technology

Cartier presented the Tank Must in 2021 as the successor to the Tank Solo. Visually, the two series differ only marginally from one another. The sizes have been minimally adjusted. The Tank Must is only available in stainless steel. In addition to quartz and automatic calibers, you can also choose watches with solar movements.

Incidentally, Cartier had already used the designation “Must” in earlier years. A prominent example is the Cartier 21 Must, which was primarily aimed at a younger audience. However, there have always been Tank models with the Must designation.

Cartier Tank Américaine: Slim and Refined

The Tank Américaine has become a popular Tank variant in recent years. The watches are distinguished from the other models in the Tank collection primarily by their elongated case. The case is also slightly curved so that it sits better on the wrist.

The selection of models ranges from simple two-hand watches to watches with a date display, small seconds, or chronograph function. As is typical of Cartier, the Tank Américaine is also available in different sizes for men and women. In addition to stainless steel and gold, this version is available in platinum. Diamond-studded models are also available on request.

Cartier Tank Française: Modern and Sporty

The Cartier Tank Française is the right watch for anyone looking for a sporty, modern version of the Tank. With its slightly more angular design, the Tank Française has a contemporary look without losing the charm of the model. The three-piece link bracelet, which seems to be inspired by the tracks of a tank, also contributes to this.

Quartz-powered stainless steel models are the entry point to the collection. You can also choose from a range of different automatic watches in two-tone as well as rose or yellow gold. Each timepiece is available with or without diamonds. In typical Cartier fashion, the Tank Française is available in versions for men and women.

The Most Classic Design: The Tank Louis Cartier

Those interested in a modern watch that closely resembles the original Tank from 1917 should turn to the series named after and worn by the watch’s creator: the Tank Louis Cartier. The manufacturer offers them in yellow, white, or rose gold and with a leather strap in sizes for men and women. The movement options include hand-wound and automatic in-house calibers as well as precise quartz movements.

In addition to the traditional Art Deco dials, Cartier also offers models with minimalist, monochrome dials in the Tank Louis Cartier range. These are available in red, black, or green and either have 3, 6, 9, and 12 numerals or none at all.

Other Cartier Tank Model Series

Cartier also frequently offers limited-edition Tank models. These include watches in the Tank Cintrée series. The watches feature additional complications or elaborately refined movements.

Older model series such as the Tank Vermeil, Tank Anglaise, or Tank MC specially designed for men are also worth a look.

FAQs

What is the difference between the Cartier Tank Must and Tank Louis Cartier?

The Tank Must is the entry-level model in the series. It is made of stainless steel and is equipped with quartz, solar, or automatic calibers from ETA. The Tank Louis Cartier is available exclusively in gold and is fitted with in-house movements.

Can men wear the Cartier Tank?

The Cartier Tank is suitable for both men and women. If you search for the Tank MC on Chrono24, you’ll find a version that is specially designed as a men’s watch.