Each year, the Cartier Privé collection, a celebration of collectors, celebrates the Maison’s iconic models through limited edition numbered watches, rare watches that bridge the gap between Cartier’s watchmaking heritage and today’s aesthetic vision. After the Crash, Tank Cintrée, Tonneau, Tank Asymétrique, and Cloche Cartier watches, the Tank Chinoise watch will mark the sixth chapter of Cartier Privé. Six new watches are being presented under the Cartier Privé Tank Chinoise line. All of them are cased in precious metal cases —18K yellow gold, 18K rose gold, and platinum— measuring 39.49 mm x 29.2 mm and in limited series.
Made in 1917 by Louis Cartier and sold two years later, the Tank is one of the most remarkable watches of the Maison and indeed in the history of watchmaking. Since its creation, the accuracy of its design and the timelessness of its pure lines have made it a watch capable of passing through time, maintaining its relevance as it continually evolves.
When the Tank Chinoise was born in 1922, Louis Cartier had already recognized the richness of the arts of other cultures and their importance in jewelry and watchmaking. Thus, Cartier has already distinguished itself with precious objects of extreme fineness and delicacy —jewelry, but also vanities, powder compacts, and clocks— adorned with emblematic elements of Chinese iconography.
The Tank Chinoise aesthetics pay tribute to the architecture of Chinese temples and the geometry of their porticos, which, for the Tank Chinoise, Cartier transposes into horizontal bars placed on vertical bars. This unique watch, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, has inspired numerous models but it has not been redesigned since 2004, except in the Cartier Libre versions.
The first three models of the Cartier Privé Tank Chinoise are available in a limited edition of only 150 pieces each and are cased in 18K yellow gold with a black alligator strap, 18K rose gold with a grey alligator strap, and platinum with a grey alligator strap.
These three models with a solid case back are powered by the manual wound Cartier calibre 430 MC movement which is currently the Maison’s finest mechanical movement.
Today, the Tank Chinoise watch reveals the mystery of the skeleton movement within its new rectangular dial. Three other versions are been presented. Two additional models in a limited edition of only 100 pieces are being offered. One with an 18K yellow gold case with red and black lacquer, and the other with a platinum case. Lastly, a sixth model is being offered with a platinum case set with diamonds in a limited edition of 20 pieces.
For these three models, the open-worked dial reveals the workings of the movement, much like traditional Chinese windows. Inspired by Chinese savoir-faire, the black and red lacquer brings both preciousness and the effect of depth. The 9627 MC skeleton movement of the watch was developed by Cartier exclusively for this Tank Chinoise.
On the wrist, the watches wear exceptionally well, whether you are a woman or a man.
Sticker Price TBC. For more info on Cartier click here.
