A Cartier Classic: A Fresh Face For The Tank Française
From Claudia Schiffer to Cartier’s ambassador Rami Malek, Cartier’s Tank Française has long been a staple for many a fan of the Tank. Nevertheless, after peacefully existing at the company for the past 20 years, Cartier is now adding a new spin to its Tank Française. While six of the current models are quartz, Cartier is also introducing an updated mechanical version, too – and it is this piece (Ref. WSTA0067) that captures our interest.
According to Cartier’s Jewellery and Watchmaking Creative Director, Marie-Laure Cérède, the new Tank Française is all about freedom and creativity. ‘Like rediscovering the raw nature of a cut stone, it was about capturing the watch’s radical shape, simplifying its essential lines and stripping them of all embellishment to return to the myth’s origin,’ states Cérède.
Credit: Cartier
The case
First appearing in 1996, the Tank Française features a monobloc metal design, which Cartier is now refining with a more ergonomic approach. As a result, the new mechanical steel Tank Française integrates the crown into the case, ensuring optimal wearability. With a case measuring 36.7 x 30.5mm and height of 10.1 mm, the new timepiece still sits pretty discreetly on the wrist. In addition, it has a water resistance of 30 m. The finishing on the new Tank Française is also slightly different to predecessors, with brushed satin finishing taking a front seat. As a result, the watch is looking more contemporary and even a little edgier.
The dial
Meanwhile, the silver satin-finished dial of the new Tank Française is also seeing some changes. While Cartier opted for printed dials in the past, the new models feature dials with applied Roman numerals. In addition, the new mechanical model integrates a date function, which sits at 3 o’clock. By contrast, the watch’s smaller quartz siblings do not feature a date window. Last but not least, the sleek new Tank Française model features Cartier’s recognizable blued-steel sword-shaped hands.
The movement
The movement inside the new mechanical Cartier Tank Française is the calibre 1853. This Sellita-based self-winding movement has a 37 hour power reserve and beats at a frequency of 4 Hz. It offers hours, minutes, seconds, and date.
Price
As mentioned, the timepiece comes with a matching newly refined steel bracelet with an updated satin-focused finishing. The price of the mechanical steel Cartier Tank Française is 5,800 euros.
The Boeing 747 revolutionised commercial aviation like no other long-haul aircraft. When the Boeing 747 was launched in 1969, it offered a more affordable long-haul experience than any other jumbo jet, with unprecedented spacious cabins that spanned two aisles and two decks. This was a time in which aviation – unlike today – was still…
The new Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition "AMG" celebrates the long-standing partnership between IWC Schaffhausen and the Mercedes-AMG sports car brand. The watch comes with a titanium case and features a carbon dial, a material that AMG uses for its vehicles. In addition, an AMG logo adorns the sapphire crystal caseback. The latter reveals the calibre…
In 1950 the first Memovox model started Jaeger-LeCoultres history of mechanical watches equipped with an alarm. The Memovox Polaris model from 1968 has now inspired the Grande Maison for its Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris collection, which is derived from the looks of its predecessor in a variety of watches and functions. Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox watch from 1950 During the years of economic recovery…
For 180 years Patek Philippe meanwhile is an essential part of high class watch making. Now the Geneva manufacture presented a new self-winding model with a Travel Time display with two time zones and an 24-hour alarm. The watch’s alarm signal, which bases on a mechanism newly developed by the brand for this model, is struck…
The Bulgari Octo Roma Central Tourbillon Papillon tells the time with a mechanism that has never been seen before. Inspired by a butterfly, two retractable hands travel along a graduation to indicate the minutes. Meanwhile, an aperture at 12 o'clock shows the current hour. The watch appears in a rose gold case and is powered…
The new Tudor Black Bay Chrono is now available as a boutique version with a dial in ‘Tudor Blue’. The watch combines the traditions of diving and motorsport watches in a striking, sporty chronograph. The model stands out with its domed, blue dial with a satin-finished sunburst surface and contrasting silver-coloured totalisers. The chronograph is…
Longines is presenting a variation of the Avigation BigEye launched in 2017. Unlike its predecessor, the new model is housed in a titanium case and presents itself with a petrol blue dial. The Longines Avigation BigEye is equipped with a silicon hairspring and a column-wheel chronograph. The brand vouches for the reliability of the new…
In the summer of 2023, Zenith presented an updated Pilot collection. Although Zenith has a rich history of pilot's watches (brought back to life in their “ICONS: PILOT” capsule collection that just launched), the manufacture decided to start from scratch. The result is a modern pilot's watch that picks up on the typical features combines…
Watchmaker Richard Mille is introducing a brand new model in the form of the RM 21-01 Tourbillon Aerodyne. As its name suggests, the watch draws on the influence of aeronautics. Featuring a 5N red-gold and Carbon TPT case, the watch integrates a tourbillon and is a limited edition of only 50 pieces. Case & Materials…
Vacheron Constantin introduces one of the most complicated wristwatches ever produced by the Maison. This one-of-a-kind double-sided timepiece displays the chronograph hours and measurements on the front, along with a perpetual calendar. The back is dedicated to astronomical functions, including indications of solar time, equation of time, sunrise and sunset, day and night duration, as well…
In celebration of its tenth anniversary, Laurent Ferrier is introducing a new, classical timepiece – the Classic Origin Opaline. Housed in a Grade 5 titanium case, it follows a pure design code, featuring an uncluttered white-silver opaline dial and a light brown Barbialla calf leather strap. According to the brand, the latest model is designed…
Since 2010, the ‘Portugieser Yacht Club’ has brought a sporting note to the Portugieser family. IWC Schaffhausen now presents four new models in this line. The Portugieser Yacht Club Moon & Tide is the first model to feature IWC’s newly developed tide indication. The Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph will be available in three versions. All…
The Panerai Luminor Sealand line has celebrated the Chinese zodiac cycle since 2009. It aims to combine traditional astrology with Italian craftsmanship. The Panerai Luminor Sealand - 44 MM (Ref. PAM00863) was introduced in December 2019. Therefore, it dedicates itself to the Year of the Rat. Panerai Luminor Sealand 44 MM - PAM00863 Panerai thereby…