Cartier Tank Louis

The Tank Louis Cartier is a historically unique series within the larger Tank collection. In the case of the Tank Louis Cartier, it was “…directly inspired from the first Tank watch created as a gift for General John Pershing. An ultimate expression of understated luxury.”

In other words, it “is” the Tank watch by which every other Cartier Tank collection or series has evolved.

Personally introduced in 1922 by Louis Cartier, the Tank Louis Cartier was the first of the Tank watches within the collection introduced to the public.

The Cartier website describes the Tank Louis Cartier as follows:

“The Tank Louis Cartier watch ranks as a legend among wristwatches. It was the model that Louis Cartier himself invariably chose to give to his closest friends and confidants. Owing to its technical excellence, the watch continues to fascinate connoisseurs today.”

I suppose if you have a disposition to the French, then this watch is clearly high on your wish lists.

From a design standpoint, Cartier describes the unique features of the Tank Louis Cartier as follows:

“Smaller than many of the existing watches, the Tank Louis Cartier watch reflects Cartier’s predilection for elegant timepieces with ultra-thin dimensions, for those who believe less is more.”

(By the Way, when’s the last time you used the word “predilection” in a sentence? That’s another reason why why I love Cartier so much.)

As featured on the Cartier website, the Tank Louis Cartier series includes just two models. Both the small and large models are listed as appropriate for women and the large model is noted for men.

Both of the Tank Louis Cartier models come with quartz movements and in 18K yellow gold. The large version also includes a circular-grained crown in 18K yellow gold set with a sapphire cabochon, mineral crystal (and a) silver grained dial.

For me, as a self-declared Francophone, the Tank Louis Cartier series is like owning an important piece of art. Maybe not as impressive as a Mona Lisa, (which of course is at the Louvre in Paris), but definitely on that level of importance within the world of timepieces.

A quick tip if you are ready to buy, MSRPs for the small Tank Louis Cartier are $6,900.00 USD and $7,850.00 USD for the large model. In conducting my research, I’ve noticed that online retailers are offering about 20 percent discounts off the MSRPs. In my opinion, this makes the Tank Louis Cartier even more desirable.

And for those of you who care about European royalty, Cartier states that Sir Elton John and Princess Diana, who owned and wore a Tank Louis Cartier, “…contribute to keeping the myth alive.” While I personally disagree that anything as famous as a Tank Louis Cartier timepiece is a myth, I very much agree with the sentiment.