In recent years, Cartier‘s Privé series has introduced exclusive limited-edition watches, seamlessly blending Cartier’s iconic watch heritage with contemporary aesthetic concepts. This collection has consistently stood out as a highlight in various watch exhibitions, drawing significant attention from diverse audiences. Collectors eagerly anticipate each new addition. At this year’s Geneva Watches and Miracles Exhibition, Cartier unveiled the latest addition to this esteemed series – the Tank Chinoise watch. Affectionately referred to by watch enthusiasts as the “Chinese Tank,” our watch house had the opportunity to capture detailed images of this timepiece, and today, I will provide you with an in-depth introduction.
Watch real shot pictures display
As an epitome of square watch aesthetics, the Cartier Tank holds a familiar place in the hearts of watch enthusiasts. Its origins trace back to 1917 when Louis Cartier drew inspiration from the aerial view of the revolutionary French Renault FT-17 light tank, shaping its distinctive outline. While integrated into the TANK series design, this enduring collection has evolved into various models over the past century, giving rise to numerous sub-series, each named after countries. Notable among them are the American Américaine Tank, the British Anglaise Tank, the French Française Tank, and in today’s exploration, we delve into the Chinese Chinoise Tank.
The Tank Chinoise watch made its debut in 1922, marking its centennial celebration this year. Distinctive in its watch shape, the Chinese Tank draws inspiration from traditional Chinese wooden architectural styles. Cartier ingeniously incorporates a horizontal structure above the vertical lugs of the Tank Chinoise watch, meticulously recreating the essence of a porch or beam-shaped architectural element.
Delving into the realm of new releases, let’s explore the gold model within this series. Crafted from 750/1000 gold, a composition commonly known as 18K gold, in Cartier’s preferred nomenclature for its precious metal products. The watch boasts dimensions of 39.49 x 29.2 mm, with a slim profile measuring 6.09 mm – an ideal size for a refined small square watch suitable for formal occasions. The case exhibits a nuanced finish with brushed surfaces on the front and sides, while the angular edges and horizontal axis are meticulously polished, creating a captivating interplay of contrasting textures.
This new model exhibits two distinct deviations from the previously encountered CPCP series Chinese Tanks or the original Chinese Tanks. Firstly, the iconic bead convex crown with a cabochon sapphire, a hallmark of classic design, has been replaced. Instead, an octagonal crown, a motif frequently employed by the brand, takes its place, adorned with a multi-faceted sapphire set elegantly atop.
From the front view of the watch, you can see the two horizontal axes of the porch shape, which are very recognizable. Even if you put it in the many Cartier TANK sub-series, you can easily identify it. The gold model is matched with a golden dial, decorated with a sunray effect. The track scale and Roman numeral time scales are also classic Cartier elements. A closer look at the 7 o’clock time scale also contains Cartier’s secret signature. The second difference in the watch is the dial hands. Originally, Breguet hands were used, but this time Cartier used blue steel sword-shaped hands.
Flipping the watch over reveals the finely brushed effect on the 18K gold case back. The dense underside bears intricate engravings, including limited edition numbers and the distinctive dog head marks. Housing the timepiece is the brand’s thinnest 430MC manual winding movement, consistently celebrated as one of the premier ultra-thin manual movements in the market. Comparable to the 430P, the two share an identical thickness of 2.1 mm, a pivotal factor contributing to the watch’s adept management of case thickness. Notably, Cartier deviates from Piaget in its decorative approach, featuring the Cartier double C logo engraved on the movement. The watch boasts a power reserve of 38 hours when fully wound.
The watch is equipped with a black crocodile leather strap with an 18K gold pin buckle. As you can see from the picture on the back of the watch above, the strap also has a bolt-type quick release at the lug link, which is convenient for the wearer to remove and meets the needs of the strap. Different wearing needs.
Summary:
This new release encompasses a total of six styles, featuring three variations in platinum, gold, or rose gold, and an additional three with hollow dials reminiscent of traditional window grilles. In terms of design, the Chinese Tank stands out as a paragon of elegance with unmistakable recognition, skillfully managing both its shape and thickness. The refined modifications to the watch case shape are particularly noteworthy. The elongation of the entire watch enhances its lines, addressing concerns of the previous Chinese Tank’s proportions. This rendition of the Chinese Tank carries significant commemorative and intrinsic value, marking its 100th anniversary – a milestone achieved by only a select few watches in the market. The inclusion of the widely acclaimed ultra-thin movement makes it appealing to a diverse range of collectors. However, being part of the Privé high-end collection series, each edition is produced in very limited quantities. For instance, the three non-skeleton models in precious metals are limited to just 150 pieces each. Given the global interest from collectors, acquiring one might prove to be a challenging endeavor. Therefore, for enthusiasts enamored with this timepiece and presented with the opportunity, hesitation is not advised.
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