Watches & Wonders 2023: Cartier Tank Américaine and Tank Louis Cartier
In addition to the new Tank Normale introduced into Cartier’s Privé series for collectors, the maison is also offering a number of new mechanical Tank watches for the general public. This includes the introduction of two Américainemodels, alongside four Louis Cartier timepieces with distinctive and colourful dials.
Tank Américaine
Drawing inspiration from the original Tank Cintrée from 1921, the Tank Américaine was launched in 1989, with the latter featuring the former’s distinctive curved case. The Tank Américaine, however, integrated an important new feature: the first adjustable strap alongside the brand’s famous folding buckle, patented back in 1910.
The case
Now, the new Tank Américaine models are keeping up with the times by further refining the curved case and creating a finer, more ‘acrobatic’ line. Housed in either a steel or rose-gold case, these timepieces feature a dainty faceted crown endowed Cartier’s distintinctive synthetic blue spinel. Stretching far across the average wrist, the Tank Américaine‘s case dimensions are 44.4 mm x 24.4 mm, while maintaining an elegant height of 8.6 mm. In addition, the case provides water-resistance to 30 m.
The dial
With purism at the forefront of the design, the watches’ silvered satin-brushed dials display hour and minutes with the help of blued-steel sword-shaped hands. Elongated Roman numerals, which condense closer together in the mid-section of the dial, serve as elegant yet avant-garde hour markers. Inside these hour markers, a railway minute track stretches across the dial.
Cartier Calibre 1899 MC
Powering the Tank Américaine models is the new calibre 1899 MC, specifically designed for slimmer cases such as this. Named after Cartier’s opening year of its historic 13 rue de la Paix boutique, this new movement is destined to only be put to use in the Tank Américaine.
Measuring only 9 mm wide and 3.63 mm in height, the automatic calibre 1899 has a 38-hour power reserve and a frequency of 4 Hz. Consisting of 158 components and 24 rubies, Cartier decorate the petite new calibre with Côte de Genève – although this remains out of sight due to the solid caseback.
Strap and price
Last but not least, Cartier pair the stainless-steel Tank Américaine with a dark blue alligator-skin strap. By contrast, the rose-gold edition comes with a grey strap in the same material. Prices: tbc.
Tank Louis Cartier
Tank Louis Cartier
Simplicity is key when it comes to the Tank Louis Cartier. This 1921 rework of the Tank Normale is defined by its pure lines and minimalist dials. However, the focus on simplicity does not limit the possibilities of design but rather offers the frame for a distinctive look. This year’s collection sees the introduction of four new models.
The case
With an elongated shape, softened edges, and a beaded crown set with sapphire cabochon, three of the new Tank Louis Cartier models have a polished yellow-gold case, while the remaining version is in rose gold. The versatile timepieces each have case dimensions of 33.7 mm x 25.5 mm and are water-resistant up to 30 m.
The dial
The simplicity of the Tank Louis Cartier is emphasised through the dials that come without Roman numerals or railway minute tracks. In this collection, purism is represented by geometric patterns as well as all-chromatic designs. While two of the four models are a nod to the Tank Must dials of the 1970s with their optical grids consisting of various gold-hued squares, the dials of the other two editions match with their straps in burgundy or all-green lacquer. Three of them have sword-shaped hands made out of gold-plated steel to indicate the hours and minutes. Meanwhile, the rose-gold version features rose-gold plated steel hands.
The calibre
The 1917 MC movement with manual winding is at the heart of the Tank LC. Notably, this calibre appears only in the Tank Louis Cartier and the Tank Asymmetrique. Although not visible to the wearer, Cartier nevertheless adorns the movement with 19 jewels, as well as traditional Côtes de Genève and perlage decoration. Additionally, the calibre has a 38-hour power reserve and beats at a frequency of 3 Hz.
The strap and price
Last but not least, all four watches come with an alligator-skin strap. While the model with the smaller optical-grid pattern and yellow-gold case comes with a taupe grey strap, Cartier pair the sole rose-gold model with a dark blue strap. A bordeaux or a green strap encompass the monochromatic editions with dials of the same color. Prices: the two plain green and burgundy dials are 14,000 euros, while the versions with geometric dials are 14,300 euros.
For over a century, the watchmaker Panerai, founded in Florence by Giovanni Panerai, has been dedicated to the production of precision instruments developed primarily for the Italian navy and military. As early as 1916, Panerai, in collaboration with a lieutenant in the Italian navy, succeeded in developing a substance based on radium that glowed in…
Swiss manufacturer Hublot is introducing the Hublot Big Bang Integral. For the first time in the 15-year history of the Big Bang, this model features an integrated metal bracelet in which the first link is firmly attached to the case. The new timepiece is available in three versions: Titanium, King Gold or the limited edition…
Since the 16th century, watches have been helpful companions in one's pocket. Of course, watches are mainly worn on the wrist these days, yet pocket watches have not lost their charm and still enjoy a certain popularity. Therefore, it is all the more exciting that Hublot has ventured into a new interpretation of the pocket…
In 1994, Swiss manufacture Audemars Piguet presented its first Grande Sonnerie wristwatch. In 2020, AP reintroduced the complication and has presented a trilogy in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet collection every year since. This year, the horology house launches three new models: Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Grande Sonnerie Carillon Supersonnerie. They all showcase…
Lucerne-based manufacture Carl F. Bucherer is introducing a new edition of its COSC-certified Patravi chronograph: the Patravi TravelTec Color Edition Four Seasons. Four brightly coloured versions are available – including a yellow (summer), orange (autumn), green (spring), and or blue (winter) watch. Notably, the Patravi watch has a large case diameter of 46.6 mm, and…
The Seamaster Aqua Terra pays tribute to OMEGA’s maritime heritage. Now, this collection gets an extra colour upgrade with new dials in blue and green. The symmetrical 41 mm case is made of stainless steel, with a wave-edged design featured on the back. They are available from now with a stainless-steel bracelet or matching-coloured leather…
With LM101 MB&F x H. Moser and the Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser x MB&F, Edouard Meylan of H. Moser & Cie. and Maximilian Büsser of MB&F have created two watch models that have emerged through the long friendship of the two men. Endeavour Cylindrical Tourbillon H. Moser x MB&F and LM101 MB&F x H. Moser…
Zenith is introducing the Chronomaster Revival A385, a reissue of the original A385 from 1969. The new model is an exact reproduction of the historical prototype which, together with two other variants, formed the first generation of the El Primero chronograph. As the first automatic high-frequency chronograph, the El Primero quickly achieved great fame. However,…
The new OMEGA Seamaster Diver 300M Black Black comes with a black ceramic case and dial. Unlike the ceramic-titanium version of the Diver 300M, OMEGA does not use titanium here, but relies solely on ceramic. OMEGA produces the dial from a single piece of ceramic, using a laser to define the details layer by layer.…
Earlier this summer, Zenith unveiled this reinterpretation of the iconic A386 from 1969. Now follows a variant that is exclusively available in the brand's online shop. Appropriately, it is called the Chronomaster Original E-Commerce and has a slightly different dial. What remains, however, are the three coloured counters and the modern El Primero 3600 calibre…
To mark the anniversary of the Radiomir, Panerai presents the Radiomir Perpetual Calendar GMT Goldtech PAM01453. This watch combines the iconic features of the Radiomir collection with a complex perpetual calendar and a GMT function. The case crafted from Goldtech, an exclusive gold alloy developed by Panerai, adds a touch of luxury. Case The case…
Omega recently unveiled four new models of the Seamaster Diver 300M, marking a departure from the recent design. Inspired by the Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition, these watches feature a vintage aesthetic with a 42mm stainless steel case, domed sapphire crystal, and mesh bracelets. The absence of a date window simplifies the dial, which comes…
About 220 years ago, Abraham-Louis Breguet received the patent for his invention of the tourbillon. To mark the occasion, the Manufacture presents the Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Anniversaire 5365, a watch that focuses on this achievement and pays homage to the brand's history with elaborate decorations. In keeping with the total of only 35 tourbillon…