Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Art Deco-Inspired, Europe-Only Cartier Tank Américaine in Platinum
The Tank Américaine rolls in with a gleaming platinum case and a fascinating blue geometric dial.
Cartier has consistently excelled in creating unconventional-shaped watch cases, beginning with the Santos Dumont and followed by the iconic Tank. Louis Cartier’s unusual source of inspiration for the cult 1917 Tank watch was a WWI armoured vehicle. Admiring the geometry of the Renault tank from above, Cartier adapted the lines of the armoured vehicle to create a rectangular case with brancards running from north to south to imitate the caterpillar tracks. Capturing the sleek, streamlined Art Deco design ethos, the Tank continued to evolve over the years. The Tank Américaine, with its elongated and curved rectangular case, joined the collection in 1989 and returns today in an exclusive European edition of 120 pieces in a luxurious platinum case and a gorgeous blue geometric dial in various shades of blue.
The original Tank Américaine of 1989 followed the lines of the curved and ergonomic silhouette of Louis Cartier’s Tank Cintrée of 1921 but adopted rounded brancards and a restyled chemin de fer (railway) minutes track with rounded corners. Restyled again in 2023, the Tank Américaine now comes in three case sizes (Mini, Small, Medium and Large Medium), the first three powered by quartz and the LM by a mechanical movement.
Following closely on the heels of the recently released platinum Cartier Tank Américaine, featuring a gorgeous salmon dial, the new European edition comes in a platinum case with a width of 24.4mm, a length of 44.4mm, and a slim height of 8.6mm. Denoting its luxurious platinum case, the eight-sided crown, which is usually set with a sapphire cabochon for gold cases and blue spinel for steel cases, is set with a faceted ruby. The wide, rounded brancards are polished with brushed flanks and lugs.
Using a technique known as camaïeu, the dial plays with different shades of blue decorated with linear patterns. Capturing the minimalism and elegance of Art Deco design language, the geometry and alternating shades of blue add depth to the dial. To ensure there are no distractions, the signature railway minutes track has been removed. In a similarly motivated move, only the elongated XII and VI Roman numerals are featured, although the hands retain their classic sword shape.
Beneath the sealed caseback inscribed with ‘Limited Edition 120 pieces’ is the automatic calibre 1899. Designed to fit inside the recently refreshed dimensions of the LM Tank Américaine, the movement has a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 40 hours.
The interchangeable semi-matte blue alligator leather strap has a white gold folding clasp. This Cartier Tank Américaine limited edition of 120 pieces retails for EUR 26,400. More information at cartier.com.
