We continue the news of Cartier’s Watches & Wonders Geneva (WWG 2022) new products. Following the big spotlights at Watches & Wonders, Masse Mystérieuse and Coussin de Cartier, here’s the new and different version of the Maison Cartier’s eternal icon, Tank.

replica cartier watch
Introducing the new Tank Chinouise replica watch, which is being developed as a Cartier Privé collection for a few special collectors. After commemorating the 100th anniversary of Tanks in 2017, Cartier is recalling a series of cult tanks that have not been seen in the current collection, such as Tank Cintrée and Tank Asymétrique. Last year, the Maison successfully renewed and launched the Tank Must, which succeeds the design of the Tank Louis Cartier, which corresponds to the archetype of the most popular and popular tank design. By resurrecting a different, forgotten tank, it reaffirms the vast archives of Cartier tanks that aren’t limited to Tank Louis or Tank Must.
Inspired by the silhouette of a wheel viewed from above on the Renault FT-17 tank in France, the parallel bezel – called Brancards in French or Shafts in English – is a signature that comes to mind when thinking of tanks, and has been around for over 100 years. It has been reinterpreted in several designs over the years, broadening the scope of the collection. In particular, the tank Chinoise, created in 1922, captivated the dandies of the time with a completely different look from the original tank first designed by Louis Cartier in 1917. Like the Maison, who draws inspiration from various cultures to create collections, the tank chenouise was inspired by the geometric shape of the colonnade of an Asian temple (Portique in French), and the word for China was also added to the name. comes to presenting.
Around the same time, another iconic timepiece object of the company, Mystery clock, also tried an oriental portique design, so you can see how much interest the Maison was.
Tank Chinoise is the predecessor of the current Cartier Privé collection, CPCP (Collection Privée replica Cartier Paris, a limited edition series developed temporarily from the late 1990s to the early 2000s) and some models introduced as Cartier Libre after 2004. With the exception of , it has never been re-issued back to the current product. So it is one of the more precious tank series. Resurrected after 20 years, the tank chenouise is divided into a classic version that retains its original appearance and a uniquely reinterpreted skeleton version. Of course, both products are released in limited editions, maintaining the spirit of the Cartier Privé collection, which values scarce value.
First of all, the three classic versions are available in yellow gold, pink gold, and platinum cases. In common, the diameter of the case is 29.2 x 39.5mm in width, and while maximizing the feel of the original tank chinuise, the shape was slightly trimmed to be closer to a rectangle rather than a square, and the dial and crown design were also changed while the surface of the parallel shaft (bezel) was changed. The finishing treatment and edge beveling are also slightly different to show detailed variations.
The previously released Tank Santrena Tono and Santos Dumont have a pink gold case with a pink (or copper) tone sunray dial, a yellow gold case with a champagne tone sunray dial, and a platinum case with a silver tone sunray dial. It is a variation composition enjoyed by recent Cartier that can be seen in other places as well. The crown of the pink and yellow gold case is set with a faceted sapphire, and the platinum case set with a faceted ruby ​​is typical Cartier style. In common with all three versions, the movement is equipped with the stable, time-only manual caliber 430 MC with a 9-line diameter (frequency of 3 Hz, power reserve of about 38 hours). Since the movement is ultra-thin with a thickness of only 2.15mm, the case thickness is also very slim at 6.09mm. Instead of exposing the movement on the solid gold or platinum caseback, you can see the unique number engraving indicating that it is a limited edition of 150 pieces each.
Another type of tank schnoise watch exudes a distinctive avant-garde personality by exposing the full-skeleton movement on the front and back of the case. In particular, the movement plate with an open work structure instead of the dial is quite impressive. As the series was originally inspired by Asian architectural styles, it is said that the design was inspired by traditional Chinese window frames. What is interesting is that black, red, and dark blue colored lacquers are selectively applied on the top surface of the openwork frame or on the symmetrical shaft of the upper and lower bezels that take advantage of the portique shape to create a more unique impression. Hand lacquering of the gold case is a rare attempt on a relatively popular line, unless it is some special Metier Dart unique piece. The Maison tried this with several new products this year.
For the new tank Schnoise skeleton watch, Cartier has developed an entirely new Manufacture movement. From the previously released Clash, Tank Centrée, and Tank Asimetrik to the recent Santos, Pasha, and Cloche, when Cartier introduces a new Manufactured Skeleton movement, the plates and bridges of the existing base movement are Skeletonized. Rather than stopping, we start designing a movement for a skeleton watch of a specific collection from the product planning stage. In other words, not satisfied with the simple skeleton work to match the assortment of the collection, but a large-scale investment and R&D at the R&D team level to preserve the aesthetic characteristics and individuality of the skeleton movement. It is against this background that Cartier takes extraordinary pride in its skeleton watches.
The in-house manual skeleton caliber 9627 MC evokes oriental spears from its distinctive symmetrical plate structure. The arrangement of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd main wheels and the configuration of the gear train including the barrel are also not common. The gears are placed by cleverly cutting the maze-shaped lower part of the plate – At this time, the upper/lower plates (or bridges) are divided The fact that it is compactly arranged by taking advantage of the structural characteristics of the plate is also outstanding – the achievement shines in the fact that it achieves complete skeletonization of every corner by utilizing only functional elements without being superfluous as much as possible.
The Tank Schnuise Skeleton Watch is presented in three versions using two case materials, yellow gold and platinum. In common, the case diameter is 29.2 x 39.5 mm, which is similar in size to the classic Roman index dial version you saw earlier. . However, it is slightly thicker at 7.7mm, but it is slim compared to other brands. And the platinum version alone is set with a total of 161 brilliant-cut diamonds (approx. 1.7 carats) up to the bezel and buckle, and 1 brilliant-cut diamond (approx. 0.06 carats) on the crown. As for the strap, in addition to the basic crocodile leather strap with a semi-matte finish, a shiny color crocodile leather strap is additionally provided when purchasing the watch. The Tank Schnuise Skeleton Watch will be released in a limited edition of 100 pieces each in the yellow gold version and the platinum version without the gem set, and the platinum version set with pavé diamonds as a limited edition of only 20 pieces. Official retail prices range from €56,000 to €80,000 (EUR) depending on the model, but the exact release date and price have yet to be determined.
Now that we’ve seen a maniac tank that a handful of enthusiasts and collectors will be raving about, let’s take a look at the relatively popular new tank. As you can see from the name of the tank’s father, the Tank Louis Cartier is a tribute to Louis Cartier. It is evaluated as a lineup that completed the iconic design of the tank watch, which was first designed in 1917 and has a geometrically perfect balance while inheriting the unique design code from the first tank watch that started selling two years later. In the original tank design, the rim and end of the parallel shaft were gently trimmed, and the polished top surface was also rounded rather than flat, giving the Tank Louis Cartier a more elegant and feminine impression than the previous tank model. I have had In addition, by treating the upper and lower bezels of the square case to be thinner, the parallel lug detail integrated into the case is more prominent, and the dial also looks cooler. Here, to improve grip, the winding crown is decorated with a dome-shaped sapphire cabochon, which has been treated with beads (beads) around the edges to provide both ease of operation and aesthetic appeal.
New for 2022, the Tank Louis Cartier II features a graphic dial and monochrome color code found on some special Tank Must models from the 1980s. It is reminiscent of the Tank Louis Cartier launched last year with a red and dark blue dial, but it is also very different. Two color dials were applied, red and gray, red with translucent lacquer and gray with the corresponding color through a galvanizing process. At first glance, it’s hard to tell the difference between the two, but a closer look reveals that the galvanized gray dial has a cooler, more metallic feel.
And, according to the Maison, for the first time in the industry, an electrochemical (electrochemical) engraving technique is used to etch a repeating geometric pattern throughout the dial. Although a more detailed description of the proprietary electrochemical engraving technique is omitted, it is literally applied to the entire brass plate through a series of electrochemical treatments in a special chamber under high temperature and high pressure without using a laser or engraving tool. It can be assumed that the distinctive textures and patterns are accentuated by micro-engraving as if embroidered (though the analogy is not appropriate). In fact, when I looked at the product, it felt like I was being sucked into the pattern in the center of the dial, like a three-dimensional black hole, rather than being flat. In addition, the convex Roman index and logo were completed by stenciling multiple layers of glossy black or red lacquer. Here, using the sword-shaped hands plated in the same color as the case, and fastening the matching red or gray crocodile leather strap to the dial, the monochrome design code is faithfully followed.