Cartier Tank Buying Guide | Crown & Caliber

Cartier is one of the oldest watch brands, but doesn't always stand out because of their association with jewelry. However, the Cartier Tank is a model that has been around for 100 years. That's right, 100 years. Here, we look at all the different varieties of the Cartier Tank, breaking down their differences and helping you determine which one is right for your wrist.
Timestamps:
1:30 Cartier Tank History
2:12 Cartier Tank Louis
3:35 Cartier Tank Americaine
4:14 Cartier Tank Francaise
5:03 Cartier Tank Solo
5:33 Cartier Tank Anglaise
6:08 Cartier Tank Trinity
6:53 Carter Tank MC
7:29 Crown & Caliber's Cartier Tank Top Picks
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[@susantaylor5584]

My mother just recently passed away and in her collection of jewelry I came across a Cartier watch. It was on bad shape. Cracked crystal, was not running and the leather band was so old it had deteriorated. Well I took it to a high class jewelry store to have it restored and a new band put on. It turns out that it is a Cartier Louie Tank! It is eighteen carat gold and the band was a lizard skin. It will cost me around $350 to restore and polish it and, this is what floored me, it is worth about $5000 dollars! I have never owned a 5000 dollar watch! It is a mechanical movement and I intend to wear the crap out of it! Me with a Cartier! Thanks Ma. She is pleased seeing it being worn and enjoyed. She loved that watch. And now I will love and cherish it too.

[@CrownandCaliber]

What are wonderful story Susan. Thank you for sharing and enjoy your Tank!

[@louiselauwers5478]

Oh this is so sweet! Hope you enjoy wearing it

[@Teachering]

A lovely gift from your mother.

[@jackchueh1231]

What a wonderful way to remind you of your mother every day when you look at the time.

[@tomobrien368]

I love that your going to wear it 👍

[@matthewgurlitz3514]

Hey, C&C, happy to be subscribed. Thank you for a much-needed video. The Tank is an icon with a vaunted history, and watch enthusiasts should be familiar with the variety of Tanks available today, and understand that the style is as relevant now as ever. It is so often overlooked, and hardly ever talked about in the watch community. I truly appreciate this show!

[@JiZero220]

I think it’s VERY important to give updated and accurate information regarding the Tank Solo. The Tank Solo XL has been offered with an automatic movement for years, and for the past ~3-5 years actual house the in-house 1847MC movement (the original was an eta based automatic movement). That makes the tank solo xl an even better entry into cartier. You get the iconic design WITH an in-house movement for

[@ennigmaa]

It is so much easier to share not only but also certainly yes. But expressions are blued sword hand pinnacle

[@bjoernaltmann]

Agreed, but unfortunately it’s so big! If you have the wrists for it, perfect.

[@denvernow7294]

Perfect wrists that aren't born of weak blood.

[@bdg5593]

Nerd

[@monicawilson896]

Thank you for this guidance because I’m very interested in pulling the trigger on this!

[@zaheedevans3]

Well done on another informative video, really enjoying this series. This watch is as you have said it, a design icon and I love that it’s timeless and elegant design language has aged beautifully over more than 100 years. It’s a watch that both men and women can wear. The Tank Solo is on my list although money no option, Tank Louis thank you.

[@beautifullysurprised9908]

Absolutely favorite - Tank Americaine Moonphase. So rare.

[@mowneek6530]

Great stuff here! Thanks for all the info

[@ifyourethere]

I have a cartier tank franchise because it came out my birth year and one came up for sale that was a 2009, which was the 90th anniversary of Cartier. I find the fact that they used III instead of IV very intriguing and its just a gorgeous watch. I'd never do it with vintage Rolex but I like a polished Cartier unless its the Santos.

[@covfefe8971]

The Tank is THE watch that got me interested in watches. When I first started wearing a watch, and the watches that followed, they were all rectangular. I still much prefer a rectangular watch case. After the Louis, the Tank Solo XL would be on the list.

[@paulcusentino4917]

Cartier makes my favorite watches. I'm after a Tank Solo one of these days. I like the flatness of the brancards.

[@pammoore8963]

Fantastic Tank background!! 👍🏼

[@AGL23]

amazing video! Thanks for the info.

[@scottfulps2065]

Great video! Cartier Tank is a must-have in any watch collection. They are absolutely iconic and quite reasonable priced.

[@nataliacirjalov58]

Great review!!

[@ritchelmacapagal7641]

Wow! Thanks for sharing I didn't know those little but important details of this watch😊 God bless 🙏❤️

[@alfonsoluisalfaromarroquin4958]

Great review! I love Cartier and the history, the designs; But also include the “Tank Divan” and the “Tank Cintrée”

[@Chris-sc6if]

Yes, informative video but i was hoping to see the Tank Divan featured as well

[@Jeff-if4id]

Great summary!

[@markmaier2503]

I purchased a beautiful Tank Louis in February. I wear it both casually and formally.

[@rudyvasquez4512]

Hope you got a covid deal for it, thanks to covid , certain models have gone down a bit, so if your fortunate, nows a good time to buy.... wear it in good health!

[@Hizsturyndamakn_]

Great Review !! Thanks 😊

[@davidm8657]

Nice overview of the Cartier Tank line. I love them all. You were spot on about the watches as well as your pronunciation of the French names. Francais without the terminal ‘e’ is the masculine form and how you pronounced the name of tank variation would be correct, if tank weren’t a feminine word, as the terminal letter ‘e’ indicates. Long way to say that you should say the end of the Francaise the same way you did with Anglaise.

[@lawrencefarrell2134]

You left out the Basculante,a beautiful piece of engineering with the wonderful F.Piquet movement.I still enjoy wearing my one especially for formal occasions.

[@RacksonRacksonRibss]

And the Cintree. ...honestly this wasn’t very comprehensive or thought out.

[@DWilliam1]

Looking to add a more formal watch to my collection and had it narrowed between the JLC Reverso or the Cartier Tank. Going to go with the Tank Americaine. Great Video.

[@goodrobot1]

Not sure if you'll see this.. just wondering your thoughts now? Did you end up purchasing a tank? One day I'll get one of my own.

[@DWilliam1]

@@goodrobot1I ended up purchasing a Santos de Cartier large since I wanted a more universal watch. Love it.

[@timur9429]

I love the Tank Cintree ❤️

[@Binaural]

Good video, thanks!

[@dylancarrick5239]

Great videos

[@rflklzk2828]

Hi, I believe that LC Tank is something different than Normale. Normale still exists and has more squarish lugs and shape. LC has has rounded lugs and more rectangular shape.

[@JibyJab]

I am in love with Louis Sapphire Skeleton. The entire Skeleton series is very underrated.

[@luispadilla2212]

Great video nice to learn a bit of every great watch out there. There’s a video that talks about Cartier and how they made good watches in the past but have been making crap lately and we have to be careful when buying one what is your opinion on that and which one’s should we stay away from? Maybe you should make a video on that thanks.

[@shortvs]

kzbin.infoNUfU8imBjYk?feature=share Please see this Cartier Swiss watch is original or fake. Please support

[@DTSTANGO]

I had the Cartier Tank Louis Gold which was an amazing piece that I gifted to a close friend who preferred a Movado instead....... At the price point of the Cartier Tank Louis, I had no problem with exchanging it for a Movado!

[@scottallan3327]

Love my tank40 auto date, I was just commenting on another watch show, that they were all becoming the same, this one definitely is not the same old same old very informative I like the way you handle it.

[@shortvs]

kzbin.infoNUfU8imBjYk?feature=share Please see this Cartier Swiss watch is original or fake. Please support

[@YongSiri]

good work

[@Seitsneddeppat]

Besides the super informative video (as usual) I really like your shirt - where did you get it. Color and fabric are what I am looking for in a leisure time shirt haha :)

[@shortvs]

kzbin.infoNUfU8imBjYk?feature=share Please see this Cartier Swiss watch is original or fake. Please support

[@coldshadow3480]

Thanks for the review, but it would be nice to show the watches in front of you instead of stock images. Maybe get a second camera angle and do a close up of each model plus some wrist shots.

[@mike7756]

My favorite is the Tank Français, automatic with date window at 6 o’clock

[@ilya399]

The best 👍👑 After him american, and louis.

[@Remon473]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJm2kpZ7lKyWnNE

[@ambc8970]

I love the américaine and the mc.

[@thomasspicer4130]

The Americaine is the more beautiful design in my opinion too 👌🏼

[@danielmartini3229]

automatic movements usual result in a thicker case design, not "thinner", right?

[@mauricecohen3830]

I used to own a Tank Louis 30 years that I lost (yes I know, stupid of me). I recently purchased a Tank Francaise which looks better to me (perfect balance) than the Tank Americaine (tool long). I'm also looking at getting a Jaeger Le Coultre Riverso soon. I have to keep up with my brother :-)

[@abdolreza82]

Thanks for the great videos. Have a question for you: Is it better to own a Longines solid gold watch (elegant collection) or an Omega De Ville (stainelss steel) for roughly the same price? Which one holds its value? Really appreciate your answer.

[@flinchey6962]

Definitely need a tank Louis

[@djones2183]

I just ordered my Tank Francaise and I really want a solo also.

[@JimmyStClair]

Love my TANK CHINOISE Cartier Paris, 1929. Yellow gold, one sapphire cabochon, with a LeCoultre caliber 119 from 1929.

[@msbrownbeast]

How about the inclusion of the Poor Man's Tank - le Must de Cartier line of tank models?

[@standardh_]

Louis FTW. Hands down

[@dwightlooi]

The recent Cartier Tanks has the ETA 2000-1 movement (same as watches like the Longines La Grande Classique Automatic) whose one-way winding rotor is noisy as hell and something many watchmakers refuse to work on.

[@aremel42]

What material is the dial made of, please? I can't seem to find this online. Is it enamel?

[@PaulShillingTV1]

Yes, definitely forgot the Cartier tank basculante .... best deal on the market right now!!!

[@clybee8328]

Please do another video to compare the newest tank with the Santos.... not many video comparison of these two

[@Blackmind0]

cartier watches had in the 80ies a much higher reputation...and i felt in love with the tank....🙂🥰

[@sunflash101]

I've never considered Cartier as an option before until recently getting the Santos de Cartier Large. It's so well made that I'm thinking of getting a Tank in a while.

[@Mister_Phafanapolis]

Why both? They seem like very similar watches.

[@danieleraso1]

i havent been able to finish the video but what about chronoscape ones?

[@adrianrubi5012]

Cartier Tank Louie. Thanks.

[@mozebulbulia]

For me it's the Cartier Santos, having said this as the Tank is what brought me to Cartier.

[@anonanon7497]

The Santos is too confused, imo, it tries to be a sports and a dress watch simultaneously but fails at doing either very well.

[@HoperehabcenterthailandAsia]

My Granny had a lovely one

[@m.m.8560]

The Tank Louis with Date Window has a Quarz movement like the Tank Solo. I prefer the Tank Solo Large in Rosé Gold because it has no Date Window.

[@akilacraju]

Hi, Looking to buy a Cartier tank. Love the new normale in YG but the price is so steep. Also love the LC tank in YG with the black onyx dial and the smaller mechanical LC tank in rose gold with guillioche pattern in the dial. What’s your suggestion?

[@mercboy111]

Would you pair. Santos Galbee XL with a Tank Solo XL?

[@bleuvert888]

Hi! Will a Tank Francaise bracelet fit a Roadster? Thanks

[@LoAn981blackhawk]

Is it easy to swap the leather strap for the steel bracelet on the Tank Must?

[@adamw.7169]

The Cintrée should have been on here!

[@JayandSarah]

It was, only it is called the Americane. That is actually a tank cintree design.

[@adamw.7169]

@@JayandSarah I see! If that is the case, when is americaine used and when is cintree used?

[@RacksonRacksonRibss]

@@JayandSarah Yes but he should have mentioned it earlier in the timeline. He makes it sound like the rounded design started in ‘89 with the Americaine. ...when that’s not the case at all. Cintree came out in like ‘21 or something.

[@richardman28]

Thats if they can find one.. they are actually very rare to find used and too expensive to buy brand new

[@thomasmorrison675]

An iconic watch yet under the radar except to the very trained eye.

[@chensui1542]

Can you do a video explaining the difference of Americaine and tank cintree please?

[@88911]

All the cartiers tank have those scrwes a side the watch?

[@kirbyang5351]

Hello! What frames are you wearing? Thank you!

[@euniceoyedeji4010]

Please, what's the name of the frame you are wearing?

[@funky8321]

hey! your glasses are so glad, where do you find it?

[@Titanic63]

I love Cartier Tank. That’s why I own American Tank Chrono White Gold and Blue Leather, Tank Francaise Chrono Yellow Gold and brown leather, Tank Francaise Gold and lesther, Tank Francaise Steel. Unfortunately the first with the crystal broken. seeking the replacement.

[@grayjones9454]

Why do the newer Men's Tank Louis have the date window, except for the 2017 (100 year anniversary) releases? The older unisex versions or the small women's do no have the date window and the symmetry of the dial looks so much better. I really want a yellow gold Tank Louis with no date window that fits a man's wrist, but except for the pink gold 2017 release, this seems to be an anomaly. Any ideas if this is findable?

[@anonanon7497]

I think the sissue here is your hang up on having a large watch. The small "womens" size was previously worn by men and has just been rebranded as "womens" to cater to a trend. Cartier Tank is a classic and timeless piece and, imo, transcends the current trend of men wearing oversized watches. The smaller size keeps the intended elegance and class, you should think about it.

[@womanofverona]

Is the Francaise offered in both quartz and automatic? I have an older Francaise automatic. Looked on the Cartier site yesterday, only saw Francaise quartz. Would like to know. Thanks.

[@shortvs]

kzbin.infoNUfU8imBjYk?feature=share Please see this Cartier Swiss watch is original or fake. Please support

[@harrylime5293]

At 9:12 does he say the Tank Louis is automatic? That reference is hand wound... I thought the only automatic Tank Louis was the jumbo from the 1970s?

[@eea1119]

No Cintrée?

[@hindjaouahiri9409]

Hi, I have a CARTIER WATCH Tank but i wanna know if is it Reall or no how can I contact you please thank you

[@fernandotrinidad9665]

No mention of the basculante?

[@Aguacatevoraz]

I have a tank divan anf i know a tank chinoise, its incomplete the list

[@trevbarlow9719]

Tank Solo also comes in automatic, but it has a date I believe.

[@cursedrake7975]

Only in extra large unfortunately, which for many wrists would be too big. I tried one on today and it was way too big on my 7.25 inch wrist.

[@raydevitt5018]

Yes it does at the bottom

[@Buttercookiesssss]

Would u advise your wife to get love bracelet or tank watch? Would appreciate your reply 😊

[@kevinhan721]

Cartier tank louis only comes in rose gold? Not yellow gold?

[@rever-mi6qz]

God I just adore the time only Americaine! One day, one day...

[@sangyeung2368]

Tank Basculante as well

[@scaryapothecary]

This guy is the embodiment of watch geek lol

[@sooch7316]

Are you wearing a Rolex Air King 5500 in the video, or an OP?

[@CYC_JP]

The video did not mention Tank Cintree?

[@elizabethm2584]

The Tank Solo has been discontinued and is being replaced with a stainless steel Must de Cartier Tank. Right now a white dial is available, and in September ‘21, Must Tanks with colored dials and matching straps will be released. The shape of the Must Tank is the same as the Tank Louis.

[@nqt74]

Where is Tank Cintree?

[@CokeWithIceAndLemon]

You forgot my fav Tank, the Cintree 1921.

[@otomaruma]

The cartier tank louis on the cartier website now is a quartz movement. Its still $11.5k. Why? Are they cheaping out on us?

[@BaadSaint]

I love the Louie, but does Cartier make a watch tough enough to be worn every day?

[@mkyhou1160]

Paul Santos?

[@BaadSaint]

@@mkyhou1160 I love the Santos!👍👍

[@rickentropic9271]

Not comprehensive, overlooked the Divan and many other versions named elsewhere in comments. The Divan is a tank shape turned sideways, much less common than the upright tank. When a French tank from WWI is viewed from directly above, as in a birds eye view, the outline of the exterior forms the same shape as L. C.'s original watch case. It is said L.C. got the idea of the shape from looking down at a tank during a balloon ascension in France, he loved early aviation and soon came the Santos line. Santos was a popular WWI aviator. F. Cologni has written the definitive book thus far focusing on the L. C. tank design.

[@WrongTimeWatch]

I can appreciate the history of this watch, but two things knock it down on my "list" the square case. And the Roman numerals. I do however really like how the lugs are integrated into the case. That is brilliant.

[@JayandSarah]

You can appreciate the history of this watch but the two things that knock it down on your list are two of the most integral parts of it's horological history? Hmmm.

[@WrongTimeWatch]

@@JayandSarah The Tank is growing on me now though.

[@clterrylaw]

how about the asymetrique

[@apangurra2775]

C&C, please do an in-depth review of the new Santos Dumont XL.

[@wharry3116]

Cintree? Obus? Basculante??

[@angelosnofla]

Cartier Tank Solo is on my wishlist. Please suggest some stores or website that gives the lowest price (brand new). Tnx

[@apangurra2775]

If you're want the steel version I would buy it new from AD or directly from Cartier and try to get an extra strap for free, it's not worth buying it grey market.

[@defineher]

@@apangurra2775 how do you get the extra strap for free?

[@trammway]

What happened to Tank Divan ?

[@rafunks]

It would be great if you talk about the price of each tank

[@davidh4305]

The prices go up every year so it would be outdated information

[@barfymann362]

The Cartier Tank XL, which had an in-house movement and a Date complication, has been discontinued. That was a particularly good value watch, not sure why they decided to take that out of the catalog.

[@apangurra2775]

It was too big for a Tank, it should be a small watch on the wrist.

[@barfymann362]

@@apangurra2775 I disagree, I think the appeal was that it was automatic self-winding, and had a Date complication with an in-house caliber. I don't think the size of 31mm x 40mm is hardly an oversized watch. They still make a larger Tank, the Tank MC. It was nice having a Tank with a date function, instead of the current catalog, where most are indeed Quartz movements.

[@apangurra2775]

@@barfymann362 And also the thickness because of the auto. In my opinion it was too big, too thick, had central seconds, a date and was auto. A tank Solo or LC should only cover about half of the wrist width. I like the Solo to be traditional like tanks has always been, but I might be wrong there, it's not a Louis tank, it's a Solo. Hopefully they will take the basic Piaget hand wind movement from the Santos Dumont XL to the Solo in the future.

[@apangurra2775]

@@barfymann362 Federico (watchbox) made a review of the Solo XL 18k, on him the XL is about the right size, still sligthly oversized, but not everyone has wrists like him.

[@barfymann362]

@@apangurra2775 I assure you, my wrists are tiny. I was able to purchase the Tank Solo XL when it was issued, only because it was the first In-house movement and had a Date Function. I was hoping they would continue on that part, and fit the Tanks with an automatic or in-house movement. I'll take your point that the classic Tank is meant to be small, much like the one Jeff Goldblum and John Goldberger often wear; thin and under the cuff. At 7.35mm though, it's hardly an issue. I just hope they make a Louis Cartier with an automatic movement again, much like the Paris and Privee editions.

[@TheDanishSpaceman]

How can you miss the Tank Cintree from 1927-28 that the Americane is based on!? 😅 ...otherwise great vid!

[@mikec3454]

I think the Tank Solo just makes sense for this type of watch. Don't get me wrong, I love the Tank Louis in pink gold and if money was no option, that's what I would get. The Tank is the quintessential formal watch in any watch collector's box, so the fact it's quartz just makes sense to keep service costs down and avoid having to set the time when you take it out. Also, didn't Cartier transition to in-house movements in all their watches in 2015?

[@micahpbt9638]

Not all...they still have quartz on offer for the entry level and also the smallest ladies' watches.

[@mikec3454]

Micah PBT right but aren’t their mechanical watches all in-house now after 2015?

[@vicrattlehead8665]

Not a square watch guy but I will own one of these one day

[@magicstuff505]

Are those Oliver Peoples Gregory Peck glasses?

[@CrownandCaliber]

Hey Jack. They are not. They are a Jacques Marie Mage Zephirin. Thanks for watching!