CARTIER TANK

Amongst the models created by Louis Cartier the “Tank” is undoubtedly the most refined and elegant, a classic of haute horlogerie. Designed in 1917 it is immediately recognisable by its original design countertrend to an era still accustomed to pocket watches. The Tank is simply linear, originally inspired by World War I tanks used by the Allies during the conflict and is of an angular shape. The year before is launch, in 1918, Louis Cartier presented the first models as a gift to certain high officials of the United States Marine Corps to thank them for their intervention in Europe. It was on the basis of this prototype of unisex size, avantgarde too, that all future Tanks would be developed, made in more than 250 versions in a period of time close to a century. Starting from the Tank Chinoise of 1922, with a case inspired by Chinese temples, in 1920s Art Deco style.

The Tank Obus, with bullet shaped lugs, and the TankCintré, lengthened and with a curved caseback and case marked by fine lines of multicoloured varnish, followed. The latter would be reinterpreted in the 1990s with double dial and double crown, equipped with two hand-wound mechanical movements.
The originality of the 1920s made a comeback in 1996, 150 years after the founding of Cartier, with the spectacular launch of the new Tank Francaise, at which numerous illustrious guest were present such as John F. Kennedy. Confirming the base idea of the model that underlines the lateral segments of the bezel that are longer than the dial (silver with Roman numerals) and join the lugs, the Francaise is distinguished by its angular shape and is available in a smaller size for women and chronograph in steel and gold for men; intermediary sizes are also available.
The connection between the case and the bracelet is aesthetically interesting, from the soft and simple lines to the thinner case thanks to the use of a quartz movement. The metal is worked in such a way as to create a contrast between the opacity of the polished sufaces and the sheen of the others; the model is available with a leather strap or in a more exclusive diamond studded version of haute bijouterie.  
The alternative chronograph contains the Cartier Chronoreflex movement with quartz propulsion, solid case, good legibility of the dial and rectangular case. As usual for the company, the watch comes with a stone on the crown and a folding closure.
The Tank Américaine is included in the collection with a longer dial and subtle bracelet, combined in an equilibrium of shape and elegance. This model was re-introduced in 2009 in the prestigious Tourbillon Volant version, with 18kt rose gold case, polygonal crown decorated with a multi-faceted sapphire, hand-wound mechanical movement (9452 MC calibre) and tourbillon volant with 1 rubies, 21,600 rotations per hour and an energy reserve of around 50 hours.
A further modification to the Tank carries the legend of the Cartier maison towards the new millennium: the Basculante, launched in 2000. the model has parallel lateral brancards and lengthened to the point that they incorporate the lugs and it is typically octagonal in the Art Déco style of Cartier. The fundamental characteristic of the watch is evidently the reversible case, from which the model gets its name. In reality, despite the record held by the Jaeger-LeCoultre's Reverso, in 1926 the Société Anonyme Cartier had already lodged a patent that described the maintenance of the watch in its closed position, the 180° rotation on one of the smaller sides, the subsequent turning over for the reading of the dial and the successive closing. Despite the use of unbreakable sapphire crystal protecting the watch, in 1932 Specialités Horlogères S.A. of Lausanne patented a model reserved for the Parisian company, the Cabriolet Réversible, on which the case was rotated lengthwise in an articulated frame with crown at 12 o' clock. Very few models were created and ten years later, in 1942, an elongated version was made and in 1997 a yellow gold version. It was only in 2000 that the Tank Basculante, in its dazzling steel version, would have greater public success. It is important to emphasise the fact that for the first time the Parisian company used steel on a Tank model with leather strap. The watch, in perfect harmony between classic and modern, presents with a crown embellished with a blue cabochon at 12 o' clock and sword hands instead of pear, maintaining the contrast between polished and smooth surfaces.
Available in three case sizes, the watch differs with each reference:
- Ref. W1011358 large size (38.5mm), silver dial with soleil finish and ultra flat hand-wound mechanical movement;
- Ref. W1011258 medium size (35.5 mm), argenté gréné dial and Cartier quartz movement;
- Ref. W1011158 small size (32.5 mm), as above save for the size.
One of the most charming peculiarities of the Basculante is without a doubt the option of having one's initials engraved on the polished surface that can replace the dial.
Completing the very rich collection inspired by the 1917 model the Tank Solo, Tank Louis Cartier and the unique Tankissime.
The following are some references of the models produced.

Steel	Steel and gold	Gold	Platinum
Diamonds	Quartz	Mechanical
The "Mechanical" symbol refers to both automatic and hand-wound movements. The colour yellow represents gold in all its variants: Rose, White and Yellow. For more information contact our experts: drg@dellaroccagioielli.com

Tank Divan

Tank Francaise

Tank Louis Cartier

Tank Chinoise

Tank Must Vermeil