Originally launched in 1921 as one of the many iterations of the Cartier Tank, the new Tank Cintrée in platinum was released this year taking a prominent position within the SIHH 2018 new releases from Cartier. With its elegant curvature, elongated rectangular case with the unmistakable DNA of the iconic Tank watch, the Tank Cintrée is a watch whose curved design hugs the wrist. While the Tank Cintrée is a forerunner to the Tank Américaine, this is a watch that kind of fell throught the cracks until it was revived by Cartier at the end of 2017 with the release of two fully skeletonized models to celebrate the 100 years of the Tank.
Things to Know About the Watch
Cased in platinum with a case measuring 46.3 mm long and 23 mm wide, the Tank Cintrée is also available in 18K yellow gold with champagne dial and 18K pink gold with black dial. While the other two models are quite good looking, the platinum iteration of the Tank Cintrée is simply the best way a classic of this nature could've been resurrected.
Drawing its inspiration from vintage Tank watches, the light grey dial features a railway minute track with prominent Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o'clock. While the curvature of the sapphire crystal makes it quite challenging to photograph this watch, we can assure you that the readability in the metal is not compromised at all by unwanted glare or reflections.
The relatively slender curved case is exquisitely finished with highly polished front side and satin brushed caseband and case back. With a bright red ruby cabochon as the finishing touch, this accent on the crown is like a cherry on top of the cake. While pricing for the platinum model is slightly higher than for the gold models, there is no doubt that the platinum Tank Cintrée is the way to go. With its unmistakable density of 21.45 grams per cubic centimeter —11% more dense than gold at 19.32 grams per cubic centimeter— and its monochromatic color scheme, this watch is not only very special but very good looking.
The Tank Cintrée in platinum is delivered on a dark grey blueish alligator strap with pin buckle. Yes, a pin buckle for a platinum watch of this caliber is not necessarily what we are expecting from Cartier but their traditional folding clasp that accompanies almost all other Cartier watches.
The Movement
The Cartier Tank Cintrée Platinum is powered by the calibre 8971 MC which is based of off the Jaeger-LeCoultre calibre 846. The manual wound movement provides a relatively short power reserve of only 36 hours. The movement is protected by a solid case back finished with a vertical satin brushed finish.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the Cartier Tank Cintrée in platinum wears true to its size and as elegant as it gets. This is the type of watch that looks better on ultra slender petite individuals. A perfect unisex watch that is better when paired with a suit or dressier outfits. The Tank Cintrée in platinum is available in a limited edition of 100 pieces unlike its siblings in gold that are part of the regular collection and not limited.
Sticker Price $23,500 USD for platinum and $20,400 USD for gold models. For more info on Cartier click here.
