Cartier is responsible for some of the most recognizable and successful wristwatches in the history of modern horology. The definitive expert on watch design, the French maison has always been a leader in challenging conventional approaches to watchmaking while pioneering new styling as a fixture in the broader fashion world.
Few watches have played a larger role in solidifying this brand identity than the Tank. Undoubtedly the most iconic watch in Cartier’s history and conceived based on a simple idea, it’s evolved to take myriad forms over the years, with over a dozen sub-designs that each has its own identity and presence. After the release of the Tank, the watch space was changed forever. Introduced in 1917 based on the conception of Louis Cartier, the great grandson of Cartier’s founder, the Tank took inspiration from a French military tank from the First World War— the Renault FT-17. The look of the Tank was striking and revolutionary— rectangular and unconventional for the period, the Tank was also one of the earliest wrist watches to be popularly accepted by the broader fashion space.
After 1917, Cartier saw a surge in interest in its uniquatches, and more and more Cartier Tank models were born, building on the underlying design philosophy that made the Tank an initial success in the 1910s. The Tank Cintrée was introduced in 1921, the Louis and Chinoise in 1922, the Basculante in 1933, the Asymetrique in 1936, and so on.
While each model has its own unique personality, the Tank Cintrée is probably the most romantic. With its cambered case, elongated, dramatic dial style, and unique wrist presence, the Cintrée has an extremely unique personality that is incredibly alluring.
This particular Tank Cintrée is one of the most beautiful, however. A platinum example, this watch was produced in a limited run with a beautiful blue fumé dial. This particular example comes with a blue sapphire, which adds a pop of color to the design. Other than the fume, the rest of the dial is laid out as typical, having swapped black Roman numerals for white to match the dial color.
Blue dial Cintrée's are an absolute rarity. You can count on one hand how many of these pieces have surfaced, mainly an exceptional piece from the collection of renowned Cartier-collector, Auro Montanari, that dates back to 1929, as well as a commissioned contemporary Cintrée for the 'Le Paris Watch Club'. In addition to its complete factory set, this piece also includes a certificate from the maison that confirms its origin from the NSO program and its individual number engraved on the caseback.
The Cintrée is one of Cartier’s most beautiful and beloved model lines. Accessing all the prominence of the Cintrée, with the added cachet of the limited edition moniker and beautiful details, this is one of the coolest, stealthy flexes in our entire catalog!