2021 Releases – Cartier Tank Must and Tank Louis Cartier Watches

Cartier releases a stunning new colour palette for the redesign of its Tank Must watch from the 1970s and 80s, as well as a strikingly beautiful blue and red dial option for its two new gold-cased Louis Cartier Tank watches

Although reinterpreted in many ways, the Cartier Tank watch and its iconic rectangular-shaped silhouette have remained one of the prestigious manufacturer’s longest-standing timepieces. The shape of the watch has become emblematic of the French company – a symbol of understated elegance and enduring style. Released in 1917, the design of the Cartier Tank was inspired by the vehicles driven by the British and the American Army during the First World War, particularly the British Mark IV tanks. These angular flat wristwatches were presented in simple two-handed dials and went without the addition of any unnecessary functions.

Now, Cartier celebrates over a century of the iconic wristwatch with the relaunch of the Tank Must – a reinvigoration of a classic timepiece born in the 1970s. A Tank watch recognized for its style and its many meticulous finishes, even down to the smallest of details. The Tank Must is considered a Maison signature that reigned throughout the 1970s and 80s, standing the test of time. The model has received various modifications and movements over the years but now comes in a reformed monochromatic version reminiscent of a 1980s classic, as well as an original Tank Must watch design, now powered by a new photovoltaic movement. In addition to this, Cartier also releases two new Tank Louis Cartier watches that pay homage to the brand’s signature blue and red colours, crafted from rose gold and yellow gold respectively.

The 2021 Cartier Tank Must


Adorned with a captivating pearled cabochon fitted to its crown at 3 o’clock, the case of the new Cartier Tank Must watch remains faithful to the French manufacturer’s traditional watchmaking values whilst embodying features that will, no doubt, appeal to the modern watch wearer. Its display – a clever balance of proportions - has been redesigned and the brancards that were once reminiscent of the tracks created by the tanks back in the First World War, are still a very present feature within the watch’s new design. The structure of the new Tank Must watch becomes visibly apparent on first impression, with lines and shapes all beautifully proportioned and harmonized to ergonomically fit the wrist. What’s more, expert designers at Cartier have returned to the traditional ardillon buckle for the leather strap versions of the new Tank Must watches, promising both a comfortable and practical fit on the wrist. The metal bracelet versions, however, still boast beautifully curved links and an interchangeable system that enables the wearer to instantly transform the look of the timepiece whenever desired.

Alongside the launch of the first Tank Must watch in 1977 came a vermeil version, paying homage to the original Tank watch created 60 years earlier. A gold-coloured logo was emblazoned onto a rich burgundy or black dial, favouring a very minimalist look and offering a timeless simplicity that forwent any rail tracks minute scales or Roman numerals. Now, Cartier launches the Tank Must watch in three staple colours crafted from steel – blue, red and green. Standing by its motto to continue improving and satisfying the lives of anyone who should experience the Cartier Tank watch, the French watchmaker has designed a new concept – a Tank Must watch with a photovoltaic dial that requires no replacing of its quartz movement.

Developing the new Cartier photovoltaic concept…






The La Chaux de Fonds-based Manufacturing facilities belonging to Cartier is where innovations like the photovoltaic watch are developed. Here the concept is incorporated into the dial of the Tank Must watch without affecting its iconic look. The Roman numeral hour markers on the photovoltaic versions of the new Tank Must watches are discreetly perforated, enabling sunlight energy to penetrate the surface of the dial and hit the photovoltaic cells located underneath the dial. The technology works via the company’s patented SolarBeat movement which took two years in the making. For the first time, Cartier equips these photovoltaic versions with an environmentally-friendly strap crafted from 40% plant matter. These straps are produced from apple waste collected from the food industry in Italy, Germany and Switzerland. Collected from Italy, forged in Portugal but assembled in Switzerland, these innovative straps mark a pivotal point in Cartier’s watchmaking history and a reduction of its carbon footprint.

The new line-up of Tank Must watches comprises an extra large-sized automatic steel Tank Must with black calfskin leather strap, alongside a large and small quartz-powered variation – all with silvered dials, blued steel hands and crisp black Roman numeral hour markers. These three also come on a stainless steel bracelet version. The new collection also includes two diamond-set versions, both powered by a quartz movement – a large and small variation. In addition to this – four new photovoltaic iterations are available, all fitted with non-animal straps – a large version with black or blue strap and a small version on black or green strap. Finally, the three monochromatic versions in red, blue and green are all large in size and fitted on leather bands that match their dial colours respectively.

The Tank Louis Cartier watches



The first Louis Cartier watch was developed in 1922 – a reworked reinterpretation of the original 1917 Tank Watch. Since then, these models have featured Roman numeral hour markers, cabochon sapphire-adorned crowns and rail track minute scales. For the two new Tank Louis Cartier watches, the manufacturer chooses a blue and red dial – colours that run deep in Cartier’s DNA. Gold-coloured rail tracks have been incorporated into the dials of these watches to enhance pure lines and to coordinate with the material of their respective rose gold and yellow gold cases. The two new versions feature alligator leather straps that match their dial colours in both burgundy and deep blue shades. Both models are powered by the company’s manual winding 1917 MC Calibre, offering a 38-hour power reserve and performing at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour.

For more information Cartier Tank Must watches, speak to a member of our Berry’s sales team today on 0113 201 0512. Shop Cartier Tank Watches at Berry's.

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