The Cartier Tank Must was one of the most celebrated watch models in 2021. And not despite, but because its design is based on the Tank Louis Cartier Replica, which was introduced in 1977. The shape of the Tank is well known: rounded case flanks, a dial with Roman indices and a gemstone (cabochon) on the crown.

It comes in many variants, from the quartz model with the SolarBeat movement, which was developed over two years and is powered by integrated solar cells, to the XXL model with the 1847 MC caliber: the automatic movement is less than 4 mm high, offers a date display at six o’clock and a power reserve of 40 hours. Incidentally, with the introduction of the Must, the Cartier Tank Solo was discontinued from the range.

Cartier Tank: The origin of the design

The design of the current Tank collection goes back to the origins of the model from 1917. At that time, British battle tanks inspired the jewelry designer Louis Cartier, who had already designed the Cartier Santos (the first men’s wristwatch!), to design the square Tank (tank = tank).
As a thank you for the restored peace in Europe, in 1917 he presented the hand-made prototype of this new, square watch to John Pershing, the commander-in-chief of the American armed forces. The Tank went into series production in 1919.

Which movement is used in the Cartier Tank?

The most innovative Tank from Cartier is probably currently the Tank Must SolarBeat Photovoltaic, whose movement is charged by solar cells. Tiny perforations in the dial ensure that enough light enters to make the watch run.

Celebrity fans of the Cartier Tank

The Cartier Tank has countless celebrity fans such as Muhammad Ali, Princess Diana, Andy Warhol, Michelle Obama, Cary Grant, Truman Capote, John F. and Jackie Kennedy as well as Jake Gyllenhall. Are you one of them?