Celebrating a century milestone of the much-coveted classic timepiece, Cartier releases a limited edition of Tank Cintrée.
Creating a timeless product for any designer is one of the measures—if not the sole signifier—that the brand had attained its pinnacle success. This product would serve as its holy grail that impeccably showcases the voracious philosophy of form and function. And for Cartier, their Tank will forever be their most prized timepiece.
It has transcended time as it never faltered to follow Louis Cartier’s practical, no-frills design to the extent that regardless if the watch has been slightly tweaked to follow the emerging trends, it never lost its integrity. So, it’s no surprise that the Tank has been called the most iconic watch on the planet, the ultimate in classic watches.
And earlier this month, as Cartier celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Tank, the luxury French house discreetly announced a new timepiece. The legendary luxury house presented a limited edition of 150 numbered pieces—all sold before the launch—illustrating the success of the new editions of Cartier watchmaking’s signature designs. A very faithful tribute to the original model that marked its entry into the 21st century.
Its simple and curved design, the scope of its vertical case and the elegance of its “eggshell” dial made it destined for aesthetes from the outset. And for this new watch, the Tank was elongated and is characterised by the curvature of its case. Comfort and ergonomics, its name comes from its curved shape which allows the watch to mould itself naturally to the wrist.
Now, while the thickness of its case measures 6.40 mm today, all of its signature aesthetics remain: the “rail track,” Roman numerals, apple-shaped hands, beaded winding crown set with a sapphire cabochon and ardillon buckle bracelet. But the best part about this limited edition watch is really the iconic aesthetic signature remained unchanged since its creation in 1921. After all, it is a watchmaking classic that is now equipped with a manufacture movement with manual winding, the calibre 9780 MC.
But in the long run, regardless of how many reinterpretations will the luxury brand impose on their hero product in the future, the Cartier Tank will always be at the top. It has proved for a century now that its design reigns supreme over other timepieces mankind has seen no matter variation it may be presented.
For more information, visit Cartier’s website or follow them on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Cartier is available at Greenbelt 4, Rustan’s Shangri La, and Solaire Resorts & Casino.
