Cartier Tank Watches

Cartier Tank

With its clean lines, bold rectangular shape and classic dial design, the Tank is Cartier’s flagship timepiece and an icon in luxury watches. While Tank watches are available in countless iterations—from elegant gold versions to sporty steel editions—they always stay true to the design blueprint that was drawn-up over a century ago. Used Cartier Tank watch models are popular in the secondary market, thanks to their understated style and enduring appeal. 

History of the Cartier Tank Watch

As legend has it, the military tanks of World War I inspired Louis Cartier to develop the Tank watch in 1917. Cartier designed it so that if you look directly down at the watch, the square dial replicates the cockpit while the thick sides of the rectangular case mimic the treads. Cartier calls those case sides “brancards” and they stretch out long enough to also serve as the case lugs that hold the watch strap in place. Whether on vintage versions or new Cartier Tank watches, the case borders that extend into lugs are the signature design trait of this top tier timepiece. 

In 1918, Cartier gifted a Tank prototype to American General John Pershing. The following year, Cartier publicly launched the Tank timepiece. This inaugural model would later be officially named the Tank Normale, because Cartier created a vast assortment of different Tank models over the following decades. 

Cartier Tank Timeline

• 1917 – Louis Cartier designs the Tank watch
• 1918 – A Tank watch prototype is given to U.S. General John Pershing
• 1919 – The Tank Normale becomes available to the public
• 1921 – Tank Cintrée
• 1922 – Tank Louis Cartier
• 1922 – Tank Chinoise
• 1923 – Tank Obus
• 1928 – Tank à Guichet
• 1931 – Tank Etanché
• 1932 – Tank Basculante
• 1935 – Tank Monopusssoir
• 1936 – Tank Asymétrique
• 1977 – Must de Cartier Tank
• 1989 – Tank Américaine
• 1995 – Tank Française 
• 2002 – Tank Divan
• 2004 – Tank Solo
• 2012 – Tank Anglaise 
• 2013 – Tank MC

Tank Design and Features

Although Cartier has created numerous distinct Tank models over the last 100 years, not all of them became staples in the brand’s catalog. Below are some of the most popular pre-owned Cartier Tank watch models. While each version is distinct, all Cartier Tank timepieces have rectangular cases with thick borders that transition into lugs.

In typical Cartier fashion, most Tank models are available in an assortment of sizes: small, medium, large and XL. Furthermore, similar to most Cartier watches, Tank timepieces generally have Roman numerals and sword-shaped hands on the dial, along a blue stone set into the winding crown. 

Cartier Tank Watch Models

Tank Cintrée

The elongated, slim and curvy Tank Cintrée is often cited as the most elegant interpretation of Cartier’s famed rectangular watch. Although there are current-production versions, vintage Cartier Tank Cintrée watches (which are always rendered in either gold or platinum) are among the most desirable of the vintage Tanks. Since they are ultra rare and highly collectible, expect to pay a premium for these used Cartier watches. 

Tank Louis Cartier

Compared to the Tank Normale, the Tank Louis Cartier features a slightly longer case with rounded brancards, which houses a rectangular dial instead of a square one. The Tank Louis Cartier (or Tank LC) became a mainstay of the Cartier collection. Only available in gold or platinum and largely powered by manual-winding movements, the LC is the quintessential classic Tank. 

Must de Cartier Tank

The least expensive Cartier Tank watch in the pre-owned watch market is the Must de Cartier Tank. Launched at the height of the Quartz Crisis, the Must de Cartier was the brand’s affordable alternative to the classic Tank Louis Cartier, complete with vermeil silver cases and simple yet colorful dials. While early versions ran on manual-winding movements, quartz versions soon followed, along with plenty of other dial styles. 

Tank Américaine

Conceived as a modern take on the elegant Tank Cintrée, the Tank Américaine is also an elongated version but features a flat caseback rather than a dramatic arch. The Tank Américaine was originally exclusively available in precious metals, but in recent years, Cartier has added more affordable steel editions to the lineup.

Tank Française 

A highly successful modern iteration, the sporty Tank Française is characterized by its integrated metal bracelet and squarer profile. Available in full steel, full gold and two-tone versions (with or without diamonds), the Tank Française is one of the most accessible Cartier Tank watches for sale in the pre-owned market. 

Tank Solo

The Tank Solo is an entry-level Cartier watch, available in steel or gold and powered either by a quartz or automatic movement. A big appeal of this version is the ability to easily switch out the watch straps for a whole new look. 

Tank Price, Value, and Collectability 

Due to the wide variety of models, materials and movement types, used Cartier Tank watches vary considerably in price. Price points range from a few hundred dollars for a Must de Cartier Tank to a few thousand for a steel Tank Française, to five-digit figures for full-gold used Cartier Tank timepieces. Generally speaking, Cartier watches that hold value the best include rare vintage Tank watches prized by collectors, as well as those that belong to the highly limited Cartier Paris Collection Privée range. 

Cartier Tank Fun Facts

The Cartier Tank watch has graced the wrists of some of the world’s most famous people, including Truman Capote, Clark Gable, Princess Diana, Andy Warhol, Angelina Jolie, Rami Malek, Michelle Obama, and Meghan Markle.  

In 2017, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis' Cartier Tank watch sold for $379,500 at auction—bought by none other than Kim Kardashian. 

Watchmaker's Perspective

In 1932, Cartier introduced the Tank Basculante, one of the most technically interesting versions of the Tank line of watches. Like the well-known Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso, the Cartier Tank Basculante (basculante means tilting in French) features a case that allows for the watch to be turned around while on your wrist. This protects the fragile crystal of the watch, in turn protecting the dial.

When the watch was introduced in 1932, fragile glass crystals were often used instead of today's sapphire crystals. An accidental knock on the crystal could easily break it. But the Tank Basculante is different than the Reverso in a key way—it flips on a horizontal axis, instead of a vertical axis. The mechanism that enables this flipping motion is inherently more complicated and adds a "secret" feature. Because of the direction of the flip, the Tank Basculante can easily be used as a desk clock. Simply placing the watch flat on your desk and angling the case works like a charm. The more complicated mechanism lends itself to the technically complex case style. The Tank Basculante works as a great counterpoint to the more classical Cartier Tank styles.