Cartier Tank Louis

Cartier is responsible for some of the most recognizable and successful wristwatches in the history of modern horology. The definitive expert on watch design, the French maison has always been a leader in challenging conventional approaches to watchmaking while pioneering new styling as a fixture in the broader fashion world.

Few watches have played a larger role in solidifying this brand identity than the Tank. Undoubtedly the most iconic watch in Cartier’s history and conceived based on a simple idea, it’s evolved to take myriad forms over the years, with over a dozen sub-designs that each has its own identity and presence. After the release of the Tank, the watch space was changed forever.

Introduced in 1917 based on the conception of Louis Cartier, the great grandson of Cartier’s founder, the Tank took inspiration from a French military tank from the First World War— the Renault FT-17. The look of the Tank was striking and revolutionary— rectangular and unconventional for the period, the Tank was also one of the earliest wrist watches to be popularly accepted by the broader fashion space.

After 1917, Cartier saw a surge in interest for unique watches, and more and more Cartier Tank models were born, building on the underlying design philosophy that made the Tank an initial success in the 1910s. The Tank Cintrée was introduced in 1921, the Louis and Chinoise in 1922, the Basculante in 1933, the Asymetrique in 1936, and so on.

While each model has its own unique personality, the Tank Louis is the quintessential configuration, and is truly the face of the Tank collection. The rounded, polished brancards, blue sapphire cabochon, beautiful numerals and railroad minute track, and blued steel hands have not only come to personify the Tank, but Cartier’s identity as a watchmaker. This watch became the symbol of watchmaking in the 1920s and 1930s, and perfectly captures the era’s approach to changing style and fashion.

This particular Cartier Tank Louis, executed in 18K yellow gold, is one with the coveted ‘Paris’ stamp on the dial. Modestly sized, as arguably all Tank Louis watches should be, it comes with a black alligator-pattern strap, fitted to a 18K yellow gold pin buckle.

Timeless translates to intemporelle in French. But for us, it translates to Cartier.