Perhaps the most classic of Cartier Tank variants, the Tank Louis Cartier was one of the very first Tank designs, conceived in 1922, just a few short years after the very first, the Tank Normale of 1917, which marks its 100th year in 2017.

The immediate past generation of the Tank Louis Cartier, or Tank LC for short, was available with a mechanical movement only in the largest XL size, while all the others were quartz. The 100th Anniversary models fix that.

Available in two sizes, the new Tank Louis Cartier is a smallish watch. The large model measure 25.5mm wide and 33.7mm long, with a case height of 6.6mm. And the small model is 22mm wide, 29.5mm long and 6.8mm high. The dials are classic Cartier – silvered, guilloche and fitted with blued steel hands.

A Tank Louis Cartier from 1977

Both the large and small models are equipped with the 8971 MC, a hand-wound movement that is actually a Jaeger-LeCoultre cal. 846. It’s a compact movement with a 36-hour power reserve that’s ellipse-shaped, best known for being used in rectangular Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso.

All models are available in 18k pink or white gold, with the option of diamonds set on the case brancards. The large movement without diamonds, arguably the only version that can pass for a men’s watch, is only available in pink gold.

Price and availability 

The Tank Louis Cartier large model in 18k pink gold (ref. WGTA0011) is priced at US$12,400.

The large model in pink gold with diamonds (ref. WJTA0014) is US$21,000, while the same in white gold with diamonds (ref. WJTA0015) is US$22,500.

And the small model in pink gold (ref. WGTA0010) costs US$9900.

The small model in pink gold with diamonds (ref. WJTA0010) is US$16,700, while the same in white gold with diamonds (ref. WJTA0011) is US$17,900.

They are available from Cartier boutiques and retailers.