
From Prohibition and Pearl Harbor, to the first man in space and the unveiling of the Empire State Building, a lot has happened over the last 100 years. But while the world has changed in the last century, there was one constant—the Cartier Tank watch.
While the watch wasn’t a part of all of these significant events in history, it has remained a constant all this time. The design had not changed in more than 100 years, a testament to its timeless elegance. While the ICONIC watch may not have always been a part of history, it certainly was inspired by it.
In 1917, the Cartier Tank was created by Louis Cartier, who was inspired by World War I and the rugged, armored vehicles that lend the watch its name. The watch’s flat, vertical brancards hint at a tank’s treads, and the hands mimic a cannon’s barrel. These details plus the sapphire cabochon symbolize understated elegance and have captivated the world’s most astute minds since its inception.
The 1926 film “Son of the Sheik” is to credit for the watch’s increased popularity. Rudolph Valentino, actor and star of the aforementioned film, wore the watch while starring in the movie and the public took note.
Since then, Hollywood heartthrobs and well-known figures like Frank Sinatra, Michelle Obama, Andy Warhol, Princess Diana, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, Muhammad Ali and John F. Kennedy, to name a few, have been seen wearing the Cartier Tank watch, and it’s become somewhat of a red carpet staple.
The clean lines and streamlined design make it a watch that complements any outfit. The Cartier Tank comes in a variety of different finishes, sizes, complications and movements, making it easy to find your perfect match when you’re making this investment in your wardrobe. Our publisher has been wearing her double-diamond-bezel Cartier Tank daily for 22 years. That’s an ICONIC piece that stands the test of time.
Since then, Hollywood heartthrobs and well-known figures like Frank Sinatra, Michelle Obama, Andy Warhol, Princess Diana, Tom Ford, Ralph Lauren, Muhammad Ali and John F. Kennedy, to name a few, have been seen wearing the Cartier Tank watch, and it’s become somewhat of a red carpet staple.