The Tank is the definitive dress watch, and the Louis Cartier version — slim, gold, hand-wound in its classic form — is its most elegant expression.
The bottom line
The most elegant icon in watches — a true grail you can buy at retail.
Consider it if you want timeless elegance over sportiness.
- Shape
- Rectangular
- Icon since
- 1917
- Metal
- Gold
- Retail from
- ~$11,000
A century of restraint
Designed in 1917 with lines said to echo the tanks of WWI, the Tank’s brancards, Roman numerals and blued hands are unmistakable and have barely changed.
Choosing a Tank
The gold Louis Cartier sits at the refined end; quartz Must models keep the look affordable. Most Tanks are available at retail.
Where to buy
Chrono24
Global dealer marketplace · escrow
Cartier boutiques
Allocation · waitlist
eBay
Authenticity Guarantee on watches $2k+
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Questions buyers ask
Quartz or mechanical Tank?
Quartz (Must) is affordable and thin; mechanical gold versions cost more and appeal to enthusiasts.
Is the Tank a good first luxury watch?
Yes — iconic, available, and spanning a wide price range.