Cartier

Emerging first in 1917, Louis Cartier was inspired by French industrialist and automobile industry pioneer Louis Renault’s ingenious feat of engineering, and designed a timepiece to reflect the world’s first modern tank, the Renault FT, seen from above. The first prototype was presented as a gift to General John J. Pershing, and thus, the first Cartier Tank was born. And just like how the Renault FT is regarded as one of the most revolutionary military designs in history, the Cartier Tank revolutionized watch design with the first tick of its hands.

From the first Tank sprang a kaleidoscope of designs that went on to dazzle and delight avant-garde tastemakers of the 20th century. Adored by the likes of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Andy Warhol, and Frank Sinatra, any discerning man or woman of taste wouldn’t be without a Tank adorning their wrists in the decades that followed its creation. The continued popularity of Chinoiserie in the 1920s and 30s saw Oriental influences in Cartier's designs that were often framed by the geometric architecture of the Art Deco Movement. This fusion of styles catered to Cartier's affluent clientele’s desire for pieces that reflected both modern luxury and the allure of faraway cultures, reinforcing Cartier’s role as a trendsetter in this period of East-meets-West design, and the Cartier Tank was no exception with the introduction of the original Tank Chinoise in 1922. Drawing inspiration from Asian architectural elements, the case of the Tank Chinoise mirrored the silhouette of entry gates found in many Asian temples.

The Collection Privée Cartier Paris, better known as 'CPCP', was first launched in 1998 and ran until 2008, in order to celebrate Cartier's rich history and revive iconic timepieces produced by the Maison in the 20th century. Today, timepieces from the CPCP collection are rightly recognized as some of the most collectible watches of the last 40 years.

The present Tank Chinoise was part of this prestigious collection Circa 2009. A larger case size that further highlights its captivating design was chosen for this re-edition of the Tank Chinoise, and the dial is reimagined with an engine-turned fleurette design featuring the traditional chemin-de-fer minute track with concentric Roman numerals. The blue-steel Breguet hands bring the final touch of sophistication. The round sapphire crystal display back reveals the beautifully decorated calibre 437.

We are pleased to present the present CPCP Tank Chinoise cased in the noblest metal: platinum, complete with its presentation box and papers.