By John Galt
Cartier Tank is one of those iconic designs that are timeless and easily recognisable much like the Rolex Submariner they are all instantly recognisable.
In 2017, Cartier enriched their already celebrated Tank collection with several new novelties models which both update and showcase new versions updating the iconic without spoiling the age old design DNA that they hold so dearly to their makeup.
Among the new novelties, there are three new gold versions of the Tank Louis Cartier, a timepiece which first saw the light way back in 1922 and went onto become one of the best-loved Tank models of all time thanks to its crisp clear-cut lines and measured composition. The straight lined rectangular case with its clean roman numerals and that now infamous crown with jewel insert is as recognisable today as it was when it was first released also It was the personal favourite of Louis Cartier himself who wore one every day.
The three new versions of the tank watch comes in two sizes but three variations: a medium unisex/male version which measures 33.7 mm x 25.5 mm (and 6.6 mm thick) which is only slightly larger than the original so to give it a slightly more modern feel but also doesn’t lose the DNA which made it an icon , The other two models being released are a smaller much dainty versions solely amid at the ladies market with a size of 29.5 mm x 22 mm , of the two new ladies versions one is literally a reduced unisex/male version where the other one of them has been adorned with 40 brilliant-cut diamonds,personnally as soon as you normally start adding diamonds to a piece it seems to ruin the aesthetics and simplicity of a piece but it really works on the Cartier tank and looks like the piece was designed round the diamonds not the diamonds added after.
All three new versions of the tank are presented in a rich warm pink gold, with the one exception of the diamond-set version which is also available in white gold which works even better with the diamonds against a back ground of the cooler white gold instead of the warmth of rose.
As previously mention the dials are perfectly clean with nice clean crisp Roman numerals protected by sapphire crystals glass. The sword-shaped hour and minute hands and dotted rail-track plus a nice central guilloché decoration all help keep this as close to the original as possible with just a few minor tweaks keeping it up to date without standing still in the past. There is no second’s hand or date window to spoil the aesthetics so keeping a very clean and elegant timeless design.
The now iconic and traditional beaded crown set with a sapphire cabochon – or a diamond for the jewelled versions – winds the mechanical movement, the hand-wound Calibre 8971 MC. Water resistance is 30 metres / 100 feet but I am sure none of these will ever see the sea or pool.
The new Tank Louis Cartier timepieces are completed by semi-matt or shiny alligator straps secured by gold ardillon buckles. The Cartier tank an icon for over 90 years now has just been tweaked over the years, but the main look remains the same from 1922 with it clean crisp lines, bold roman numerals and two hands but then again how do you re-make an icon you don’t as an icon will always be an icon. For more info, please visit cartier.com
