10 Elegant Cartier Tank Watches for Men
Cartier is an innovative French company that specialises in fine jewellery, luxury watches and leather accessories, among others. One of their iconic collections, the Cartier Tank, offers a wide selection of classic dress watches with a rustic touch.
With a rich history dating back to World War I, Cartier Tank watches are one of the most iconic and recognisable timepieces of all time. Designed in 1917 by Louis Cartier, the Tank watch was inspired by the modern Renault tank Cartier had exposure to during the war. The piece develops its finesse, explicit detailing, and classy appearance from the rich history accompanying it.
Over the years, the Tank watches have had several iconic selections starting with the six developed in 1919. From there, we have the Tank Louis Cartier that came in 1922, the Tank Americaine selection in 1989, and the Tank Francaise watch series in 1996. All these have unique and defining features that are pertinent to the original Tank watches. These include the tank-inspired square-shaped dial, Roman numeral hour markers, blued steel, sword-shaped hands, and the sapphire cabochon crown.
Different Cartier Tank Collections
Cartier Tank Solo
Classic and modest in design, the Tank Solo pays tribute to the unique aesthetic of the Tank’s original design. One of the best entry-level watches from Cartier, the Tank Solo is one of the least expensive luxury watches in the world. Most of the timepieces in the collection run on quartz movement, but some pieces are powered by automatic mechanisms, too. If you’re set on getting a luxury timepiece without breaking your budget, the Tank Solo is a great choice.
Tank Louis Cartier
With an Art Deco flair, the Tank Louis Cartier features rounded lugs as opposed to the classic rectangular ones that the Tank is known for. Designed and named after Louis Cartier himself, the Tank Louis Cartier epitomises what the Tank watches are all about.
The ‘most classic’ of all Tank watches, the Tank Louis Cartier was introduced in 1922, embodying the original design of the collection.
Cartier Tank Française
A single model collection, the Cartier Tank Française features an updated look with an elegant link bracelet. The curved case seamlessly sets in the middle of the bracelet, mimicking its lines. Boasting a sportier and more casual appearance, the Cartier Tank Française is available in stainless steel, yellow gold, and rose gold.
Cartier Tank Anglaise
The Cartier Tank Anglaise — introduced in 2012 — recreates the perfect alignment of the original Tank. It is powered by a winding mechanism that’s incorporated into the case, making it one of the most coveted by watch connoisseurs in this collection.
Another series in the collection that’s slightly in the expensive price range, the Tank Anglaise can go up to over $100,000 for its 18K gold model studded with diamonds. This series comes in various sizes, movements, and diamond options, too!
Cartier Tank Américaine
Launched in 1989, the Cartier Tank Américaine offers a bigger deal for those who have a preference for bigger watches. It features an elongated case with a soft curve that wraps around the wrist comfortably. It perfectly plays on the geometrical balance between classic linear shapes and round edges.
Slightly pricey than the other watches in the Tank collections, the Tank Américaine comes in rose gold, yellow gold, and white gold.
Cartier Tank MC
Powered by Cartier’s first in-house self-winding movement, the Calibre 1904-PS MC, the Cartier Tank MC is the boldest and most robust watch in the Tank collection. “MC” short for “Manufacture Cartier”, the Tank MC offers that masculine edge with the classic Tank elegance with its large case and powerful movement.
With its impressive technical functions and mechanisms, the Tank MC is naturally among the most expensive in the collection. See the prices here.
Cartier Tank Cintrée
First introduced in 1921, just four years after the original Tank was designed in 1917, the Cartier Tank Cintrée, was the second Tank designed after the original Tank Normale. The platinum case of the Tank Cintrée is slightly longer and slimmer than the larger Tank Américaine, making it a favourite among those who prefer a classic and elegant dress watch.
Our Top 10 Favourite Cartier Tank Watches
With a series of elegant watches under the Tank collection, Cartier is the brand to beat when it comes to classic dress watches. Here are our top 10 favourites.
1. Cartier Tank MC Skeleton
The Cartier Tank MC Skeleton features an 18K rose gold case, a skeleton dial, and a striking faceted blue sapphire cabochon crown. The bridges of the movement cleverly form the Roman numerals, and the sword-shaped hands in gilded steel seamlessly blend in the design of the dial.
Powered by the in-house mechanical manual-winding Calibre 9619 MC movement, the Tank MC Skeleton enjoys a power reserve of approximately three days and a water resistance of 30 metres. The brown leather strap adds rustic allure to the watch, but the 18K gold buckle sweeps you off your feet!
2. Cartier Tank Cintrée Skeleton
The Cartier Tank Cintrée Skeleton watch inspires elegance and a masculine edge that rivals all others. It boasts an 18K gold case with a skeletonised dial featuring a beaded crown set with a sapphire cabochon and blued-steel sword-shaped hands.
It runs on the Manufacture mechanical Calibre 9917 MC movement and offers a robust 60 hours of power reserve. The skeletonised curved movement follows the shape of the case which allows it to be thin (only 3.84 mm). A brown alligator-skin strap with 18K rose gold double adjustable folding buckle finishes the elegant design.
3. Tank Louis Cartier in Rose Gold
At the heart of this Louis Cartier Tank watch runs the Manufacture mechanical Calibre 8971 MC movement with manual winding capacity and a power reserve of 38 hours. With the rounded lugs, the 18K rose gold case appeals to the sophisticated gentleman who has an affinity for the classic dress watch.
The silvered beaded dial displays the iconic blued-steel sword-shaped hands and features the beaded crown set with a sapphire cabochon. A semi-matte brown alligator-skin strap with ardillon buckle in 18K rose gold compliments the rose gold case and white dial. The watch is water-resistant to a depth of 30 metres.
4. Cartier Tank Américaine in Rose Gold
The 45.1mm 18K rose gold case of this Tank Américaine timepiece works playfully with geometry, creating harmony between the round edges of the lugs and its overall rectangular shape. The silvered flinqué dial displays the sword-shaped hands in blued steel and the Roman numeral hour markers. A special date window appears at 6 o’clock.
Equipped with a mechanical self-winding movement, the Tank Américaine is another sophisticated dress watch suitable for any formal occasion. With a new ardillon 18K rose gold buckle, the brown alligator-skin strap is comfortable on the wrist. Let’s not forget its 30m water resistance, which makes it ideal for some minor water sports.
5. Cartier Tank MC High Jewellery
The Cartier Tank MC High Jewelry watch delights in a rhodium-finish 18K white gold case set with baguette-cut diamonds and highlights an octagonal crown set with another diamond. The diamond-paved dial is so minimalist, displaying only the Cartier signature blued-steel sword-shaped hands and the Cartier logo.
Running on the manufacture self-winding mechanical Calibre 1904-AU MC movement, this is one watch that is meant to be shown off. An exquisite black alligator-skin strap with a double adjustable folding, featuring a rhodium-finish 18K white gold buckle set with baguette-cut diamonds, complements the elegant watch.
6. Cartier Tank MC Automatic
The Cartier Tank MC Automatic has a neat 34mm stainless steel case, featuring a guilloché dial. It proudly displays the Roman numeral hour markers and blued steel hour and minute hands. Meanwhile, a date window is visible at 3 o’clock and a small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock.
Driven by the Cartier Calibre 1904-PS MC automatic movement, the watch boasts a power reserve of 48 hours. A black alligator leather strap with a deployment clasp finishes the elegant watch. In addition, it has a water resistance of up 30 metres.
7. Cartier Tank Solo Automatic
This Cartier Tank Solo Automatic is a perfect everyday dress watch. Not only is it simple with its blued steel minute and hour hands, but it is also elegant and classy with the 18K rose gold case. The silvered opaline dial also features Roman numeral hour markers. While the signature beaded crown features a synthetic spinel shaped like a cabochon.
At its heart beats the Cartier automatic winding mechanical Calibre 049 movement. It boasts a power reserve that lasts approximately 42 hours. A dark brown alligator leather strap featuring round scales and an ardillon buckle made of 18K rose gold completes the look. This watch is also water-resistant up to 30 metres.
8. Cartier Tank Américaine Automatic
The Cartier Tank Américaine Automatic watch stands out in a stainless steel case, silver dial, and navy blue alligator-skin strap. The octagonal crown features a synthetic spinel in blue, matching the elegant navy blue strap. At its heart beats the Cartier mechanical movement with automatic winding.
The silvered dial displays the Cartier-signature sword-like hands made of blued steel and big Roman numeral markers. The matching blue alligator leather strap has a semi-matte finish and features an adjustable and foldable buckle.
9. Cartier Tank MC Automatic in Blue
Elegant in dark blue, this Tank MC Automatic watch comes with style and masculine sophistication that is hard to ignore. The 34.3mm stainless steel case with a see-through caseback encloses a blue flinque dial. It displays sword-like hands in rhodium-plated steel, white Roman numerals, a date window at 3 o’clock, and a small counter for seconds at 6 o’clock.
Running on the in-house Calibre 1904-PS MC self-winding mechanical movement, the watch is powered with absolute accuracy and efficiency. It boasts a power reserve of 48 hours and water resistance of 30 metres. A matching alligator leather strap is also striking in dark blue.
10. Cartier Tank Cintrée in Rose Gold
With its clean, crisp lines, this Tank Cintrée watch is elegant in 18K rose gold case and dark grey alligator leather strap. Enclosed in the rose gold case is an elegant black dial. It highlights gold-finished sword-shaped hands and Arabic numeral markers at 12 and 6 o’clock.
Driven by the in-house mechanical Calibre 8971 MC movement with manual winding capacity, the watch offers a 36-hour power reserve. The semi-matte dark grey alligator-skin strap also has an ardillon buckle in 18K rose gold.
In the market for Tank watches for women as well? Check out our feature on the collection for women here.
