The Tank timepiece is one of Cartier’s most iconic watches. An original idea created by Louis Cartier, he predicted the model to be a successful timepiece, but never would he have imagined it to be this successful. This year, Cartier is releasing the Tank Normale in seven variations, to join the brand’s Privé collection, a limited series of watches that are most sought-after.
Designed in 1917 by Louis Cartier and then released in 1919, the Tank upon its release had a unique design. The case was designed by taking an overhead view of the Renault tanks that featured in World War 1 (hence the name Tank for the timepiece). Cartier has carried through this watchmaking design icon still to this date, with many different variations of the Tank being released.
This year’s Tank Normale goes back to its design roots, with the timepiece having iconic features of the original 1917 design. These features include the same case proportions, beveled sapphire crystal, Roman numeral dial with the railroad track being on the inner part of the dial, and the “1917” date hidden in the VII-hour marker.
A total of seven variations of this all-new Tank Normale are being released by Cartier. The timepieces range from 18k yellow gold to 950/1000 platinum in leather straps and bracelets, from skeleton models to skeleton with diamonds timepiece. All variants besides the diamond model come with either a ruby cabochon or blue sapphire winding crown.
Tank Normale 18k Yellow Gold & 950/1000 Platinum on Bracelet
The Tank Normale is offered in 18k yellow gold or 950/1000 platinum bracelets to match the respective cases. The Tank timepiece being offered in a matching bracelet is a first for Cartier’s Privé collection. The bracelet option is a reference to the vintage Cartier models, which will please many collectors that are able to get their hands on these watches. The same brushed finish that is on the case is continued onto the bracelet links which gives a beautiful smooth finish all around. Both models on the bracelet are limited to 100 pieces.
Tank Normale 18k Yellow Gold & 950/1000 Platinum On Leather Strap
The 18k yellow gold and 950/1000 platinum Tank with its 35.2mm x 27.8mm case size is also offered on alligator straps. The yellow-gold model comes with a brown alligator strap which adds an extra touch of color to the timepiece. The platinum model is offered in a black alligator strap, which retains the greyscale look. It also makes the ruby cabochon winding crown stand out too. Both variants on the leather strap are limited to 200 pieces each.
Tank Normale 18k Yellow Gold & 950/1000 Platinum Skeleton
The more modern update for this latest Tank collection is the skeleton models. Offered in the same materials (18k yellow gold and 950/1000 platinum), the skeleton timepieces come with colour matching bridges. These models also have a 24-hour timescale, instead of the traditional 12-hour markers. Essentially the day starts at the bottom 0 o’clock mark, with the hour hand making its way around the dial clockwise indicating time in a 24-hour mode. The dial has also been color-coded to show nighttime and daytime. The nighttime is indicated in the bottom half of the dial where it has a crescent moon finish, while the daylight hours are indicated on the top half of the dial through the sun-shaped bridges. Both skeleton variants are limited to 50 models each.
Tank Normale 950/1000 Platinum Skeleton Diamond Edition
The final piece in this latest Tank Normale collection is the diamond set edition. This model carries the same design as the skeleton models above, however, now comes with a case set with 42 brilliant-cut diamonds that total 1.95 carats. The crown has also been changed to now have faceted brilliant cut diamond which totals 0.12 carats. This diamond edition of the Tank Normale Skeleton is limited to 20 individually numbered pieces.
References: (Ref. WGTA0110), (Ref. WGTA0111)
Specification:
- Case: 32.6mm x 25.7mm
- Case Material: 18k Yellow gold (750/1000) or Platinum (950/1000)
- Dial: Brushed Silver with Roman Numerals
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: N/A
- Movement: Manual Hand-Wound Calibre 070
- Power reserve: 38 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: 18k Yellow gold (750/1000) or Platinum (950/1000) bracelet
International Recommended Retail Price: $46,400 USD (Ref. WGTA0110), $53,500 USD (Ref. WGTA0111)
Availability: TBA.
References: (Ref. WGTA0108), (Ref. WGTA0109)
Specification:
- Case: 32.6mm x 25.7mm
- Case Material: 18k Yellow gold (750/1000) or Platinum (950/1000)
- Dial: Brushed Silver with Roman Numerals
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: N/A
- Movement: Manual Hand-Wound Calibre 070
- Power reserve: 38 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: Brown alligator-skin strap, 18K yellow gold (750/1000) ardillon buckle or Black alligator-skin strap, platinum 950/1000 ardillon buckle.
International Recommended Retail Price: $31,000 USD (Ref. WGTA0108), $34,900 USD (Ref. WGTA0109)
Availability: TBA.
References: (Ref. WHTA0021), (Ref. WHTA0020)
Specification:
- Case: 35.2mm x 27.8mm
- Case Material: 18k Yellow gold (750/1000) or Platinum (950/1000)
- Dial: Skeleton dial
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: N/A
- Movement: Manual Winding Calibre 9628 MC,
- Power reserve: 36 hours.
- Bracelet/Strap: Brown alligator-skin strap, second strap in green alligator skin, 18K yellow gold (750/1000) ardillon buckle (Ref. WHTA0021) or Gray alligator-skin strap and burgundy alligator-skin strap, platinum 950/1000 ardillon buckle (Ref. WHTA0020).
International Recommended Retail Price: $71,000 USD (Ref. WHTA0021), $80,000 USD (Ref. WHTA0020)
Availability: TBA.
References: (Ref. HPI01558)
Specification:
- Case: 35.2mm x 27.8mm
- Case Material: Platinum 950/1000 case set with 42 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 1.95 carats
- Dial: Skeleton
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: N/A
- Movement: Manual Winding Calibre 9628 MC
- Power reserve: 38 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: 2 leather straps in blue and dark blue alligator skin, platinum 950/1000 ardillon buckle set with 25 diamonds totaling 0.20 carats.
