Tank Chinoise

CARTIER PRIVÉ

For Cartier, time is a mystery: in its representation and in the perception we have of it. Cartier watches are precious objects that constantly renew and explore our way of understanding time. Thanks to the extraordinary expertise of the Maison’s watchmakers, all techniques are eclipsed, allowing us the simple contemplation of suspended time.

Each year, the Cartier Privé collection, a celebration of collectors, celebrates the Maison’s iconic models through limited edition numbered watches, rare watches that bridge the gap between Cartier’s watchmaking heritage and today’s aesthetic vision. After the Crash, Tank Cintrée, Tonneau, Tank Asymétrique and Cloche Cartier watches, the Tank Chinoise watch will mark the sixth chapter of Cartier Privé.

TANK CHINOISE

Made in 1917 by Louis Cartier and sold two years later, the Tank is one of the most remarkable watches of the Maison and indeed in the history of watchmaking. Since its creation, the accuracy of its design and the timelessness of its pure lines have made it a watch capable of passing through time, maintaining its relevance as it continually evolves.

When the Tank Chinoise was born in 1922, Louis Cartier had already recognised the richness of the arts of other cultures and their importance in jewellery and watchmaking. Thus, Cartier has already distinguished itself with precious objects of extreme fineness and delicacy - jewellery, but also vanities, powder compacts and clocks - adorned with emblematic elements of Chinese iconography.

The Tank Chinoise aesthetics pay tribute to the architecture of Chinese temples and the geometry of their porticos, which, for the Tank Chinoise, Cartier transposes into horizontal bars placed on vertical bars. This unique watch, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year, has inspired numerous models but it has not been redesigned since 2004, except in the Cartier Libre versions.

TWO NEW MODELS

Today, the Tank Chinoise watch reveals the mystery of the skeleton movement within its new rectangular dial.

A signature complication of the Maison that watchmakers have adapted to the case of a gold watch. The open-worked dial reveals the workings of the movement, much like traditional Chinese windows. Inspired by Chinese savoir-faire, the black and red lacquer brings both preciousness and the effect of depth. The 9627 MC skeleton movement of the watch was developed by Cartier exclusively for this Tank Chinoise.

This spectacular watch is complemented by a large and understated hour-minute version in platinum, yellow gold or rose gold, with horizontal bevelled-edge bars. It beats to the rhythm of the 430 MC movement which is currently the Maison’s finest mechanical movement.