Dressingz Vault

With a history of more than 100 years, the symbol of timeless luxury was paradoxically born in the wreck of WW1, 1917 and is inspired by an actual war vehicle, echoing the Renault FT-17 tank seen from above. The first endorser of the ticking jewelry? General John J. Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe. The popularity of the Cartier creation flourished in Art Deco settings during Jazz Age and later, as a design that seemed to defy any threat, expanded into new variations of the initial model during Great Depression. Tank was adapted for tennis, polo players and drivers (considering the position of the drivers hand on the wheel) and was worn by royalties, actors and musicians, continuing to pass the exams of both functionality and perfected chic. The eruption of the World War II was followed by the death of Tanks father, Louis Cartier, which led to a stagnation of aesthetically innovating the initial model for several decades. Even so, Tank was already ingrained in every layer of the elite society and the drastic change in social world, stirring the rules of 60s and 70s fashion failed to disturb its position. What did Pierre Balmain, Muhammad Ali, the Duchess of Windsor and Alain Delon, had in common? They all had the same jewel timepiece wrapped around their wrists. Andy Warhol even declared, I dont wear a Tank to tell the time. In fact, I never wind it. I wear a Tank watch because its the watch to wear. Truman Capote started avidly collecting the Tank model, interrupting an interview in 1972, because he was disturbed by the reporters watch: Take that ugly watch off your wrist and put this one on, I beg you, keep it. I have at least seven at home. Adorning the hands of elegance symbols and divas such as Princess Diana and Catherine Deneuve, the Tank became an icon on itself, continuing to represent aesthetic and symbolical codes that remain just as modern today, on the wrists of Angelina Jolie, rap singers and supermodels. As a deity of luxury that defies time, Tank will continue to metamorphose elegance into any circumstance: by the pool, at the tennis court, cocktail party or office, and as declared by Ms. Saltzman of Vanity Fair, it will be exactly where it is now, right on everyones wrist. You dont mess with perfection.


Our Tank Francaise features an 18k yellow gold case and bracelet with hidden deployment clasp. The face is silver-grained dial with blue sword shaped hands presented under scratch resistant sapphire glass. Movement is Swiss quartz. The Tank Francaise is water resistant to 30m (100 ft.). Invest now in an everlasting (re)loved piece and become part of the Cartier biography, a history of the world.

By Catinca Negut, DRESSINGZ Editorial Manager