A “re-issue” of the vintage Les Must de Cartier Tank, the new Tank Louis Cartier is the house’s legacy re-introduced for a new generation.
Featuring an Art Deco “sector” dial reminiscent of a beloved vintage Les Must de Cartier Tank of the 1980s, the Cartier Tank Louis Cartier (or Tank LC) – not to be mistaken for the Tank Louis Cartier XL (an entirely different model) combines an 18k gold case with, most intriguingly, a manufacture hand-wound 1917 MC movement, departing from the quartz calibres found on its classic predecessor.
Two new delectable Tank Louis Cartier models, one blue with a pink-gold case, the other red with a yellow-gold case are similarly proportioned as the monochromatic pieces, with the distinction that these limited-edition Louis Cartier models are all gold while the Must models are steel.
Taking heritage cues, the reworked design today feels every bit as elegant as the original, and on the wrist, the dainty 33.7mm does not feel dated, in fact, the classical proportions combined with 6.6mm thickness (despite its mechanical calibre) further accentuate the feel of refinement on the wrist.
The Tank Louis Cartier is the perhaps quintessential Cartier Tank, a sophisticated dress watch that conveys an air of blue-blooded luxury as opposed to the more masculine Santos with exposed screws on bezel.
It’s perhaps historical irony that the original quartz powered Les Must de Cartier Tank collection was meant as an entry-level in the House’s watchmaking collection but to our modern eyes, the simple yet striking Art Deco dials simply feeds into the halo effect of treasured nostalgia, following in the same vein as the re-interpreted Santos and Panthère, alongside a series of special Cartier Privé editions like Tank Asymétrique and this year’s exquisite Cloche De Cartier.
Hence, this Tank Louis Cartier, produced in limited quantities but in a one time run only means that the desirability and collectability of this collection just went up a notch. This series is simply a must have, Cartier’s legacy re-introduced for a new generation.
TANK LOUIS CARTIER PRICE + SPECS
Case 33.7mm x 6.6mm yellow or pink gold with splash resistance
Movement Manual winding 1917 MC with 38 hours power reserve
Price S$18,800
(Images: Cartier)
