06Designated by replica Cartier as the “worthy heir to the timeless Tank watch and French style”, the new Tank Française is making a comeback more than 25 years after its first release. For the occasion, this sublime even offers a micro-film with the two great actors, Catherine Deneuve and Rami Malek. Let’s discover together the modifications made to this watchmaking muse.
7 versions for the new Tank Française
It was in 1996 that the Tank Française was presented for the first time, recognizable by its metal bracelet directly integrated into the rectangular case. A one-piece design taken up in this new 2023 version, however with a redesigned aesthetic and optimized ergonomics.
The Tank Française is offered here in 7 variations:
Three small models measuring 25.7 mm x 21.2 mm; one in steel, one in yellow gold, one in yellow gold and diamonds.
Three medium models of 32 mm x 27 mm; one in steel, one in yellow gold, one in yellow gold and diamonds.
A large 36.7 mm x 30.5 mm model in steel with date window at 3 o’clock.
New stylistic elements
For each of these creations, the case has been refined and the crown reworked. The dial, for its part, is adorned with subtle brushed finishes (vertical for the large model, central for the small and medium models), applied to an opaline silver background for the steel pieces, and champagne for the yellow gold pieces.
Regarding the rest, Cartier retains the flagship elements of the Tank, namely the blued steel sword hands and the Roman numerals. The latter remain black for the gold models, and become silver for the steel models.
The case, for its part, has a more tapered, slightly more angular silhouette. It always has a crown adorned with a synthetic spinel on the steel side, against a sapphire cabochon on the gold side. All in a much more rounded shape compared to the crowns of other Tanks.
Next comes the bracelet which naturally merges with the case, for a more elegant and harmonious look. It also alternates polished and brushed finishes on thinner but equally robust links. To close it, the large model is equipped with a double pusher system, while the others use a butterfly clasp.
Quartz or automatic movement?
The question arises because all these creations do not have the same heart. The large model is equipped with an automatic mechanical movement with a 37-hour power reserve, while the small and medium models operate using a quartz movement.
Available since January 19, this new Tank Française is presented in a more refined version which offers a beautiful choice of size and aesthetics with sober versions and others more sophisticated (diamonds). This timepiece still remains among the great Cartier emblems and retains its undeniable French chic.