Cartier Tank Americaine

Overall Condition: Very good condition overall. Case shows light wear from age and use. Dial and matching handset are excellent.

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 in its 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.

In 1989, Cartier released a particularly exciting reference, targeted at the American collector market. Cartier recognized that New York customers loved more fashion-forward designs like the Cintrée. Making a specialty design for these customers, Cartier released the Tank Americaine. Featuring many of the characteristics of the Cintrée, the Americaine had an elongated scalloped case, lightly curved caseback, and beautiful case layout. The Americaine had the classic Roman numeral dial with railroad minutes track, blued steel hands, and cream dial that made the Tank so iconic and recognizable.

This particular Americaine Reference W2603256, powered by an automatic movement, features a beautiful blue sword handset and octagonal 'cabochon' crown. Executed in 18K white gold, this watch is probably the most classic layout for an Americaine with a cream white guilloche dial and date window at 6 o'clock. The brancards of the 26mm X 45mm 18K white gold case are fully polished, while the center case bridges are brushed for some subtle, tasteful contrast.

As effortlessly comfortable as it is elegant, this piece is appropriate for virtually any wrist. If you're Cartier-curious but the Tank Louis or the Santos don't speak to you, the Tank Americaine might just be the watch for you!