The Tank was Louis Cartier’s bright idea to give a watch the shape of a rectangle in 1917, at a time when timepieces were round. From 1917 to 1936, it saw multiple incarnations. For 2020, the Maison presents the new Cartier Tank Asymetrique.
When it appeared in 1936, the Tank Asymétrique watch – also known at the time as the Parallélogramme or Losange – marked a break with tradition: unlike any other watch, it questioned the established order of things.
Everything on the dial was shifted 30 degrees to the right. The rectangle of the original Tank became a diamond, with the 12 placed in the upper right-hand corner of the case and the 6 opposite. Instead of Roman numerals, Arabic numerals – and only the even digits – appeared, all separated by indexes. The torsion effect was such that a specific strap needed to be developed for the watch. In addition, certain models saw the axis of symmetry in the centre of the watch replaced by a special insert. This detail, which had nothing to do with aesthetics, was unique to the watch, making it highly rare today.
The new Tank Asymétrique
With its two horizontal shafts connected by two oblique ones, and its numerals off-set by 30° to the right, the presence of this new Tank Asymétrique on the wrist is striking.
In its refined volume, Cartier watchmakers have included the Manufacture 1917 MC movement, a noble movement due to the beauty of the manual winding gesture.
On the dial, the Arabic numerals and their separating indexes have been completely redesigned.
The watch is available in pink gold with a grey dial and strap, in yellow gold with a champagne dial and brown strap, and in platinum with a silver-coloured dial, ruby cabochon and grey strap.
The made-to-measure straps are fitted with an ardillon buckle. Each aesthetic comes in a limited edition of 100 numbered pieces.
Cartier Tank Asymétrique 9623 MC Skeleton Movement
On the Tank Asymétrique skeleton watch, the 9623 MC skeleton movement appears at the centre of a bare structure, punctuated by the 12 and the 6.
The integration of this specially developed calibre within an asymmetric watch fulfils the mission of the Cartier Privé collection: to apply technology to the service of design.
The movement, articulated on these two Roman numerals and the indexes, becomes the window to a surprising case.
The watch comes in pink gold on a brown or grey strap, in platinum on a blue or black strap, and in a gem-set platinum version on a black or glossy blue strap. Made to measure, these straps are fitted with an ardillon buckle, a rare option in Fine Watchmaking. An elegant and unique watch, created in a limited series of 100 numbered pieces for each aesthetic.
Cartier Tank Asymetrique Technical Specification
MANUFACTURE MECHANICAL MOVEMENT WITH MANUAL WINDING 1917 MC
Encasing diameter: 7 lines 1/4 x 5 lines 3/4
Total dimensions: 16 x 12.95 mm
Thickness: 2.9 mm
Number of jewels: 19
Frequency: 21’600 vibrations/hour
Power reserve: 38 hours
TANK ASYMÉTRIQUE WATCH WGTA0042
Extra-large model, 47.15 x 26.2 mm,
thickness: 6.38 mm
Platinum
Crown set with a ruby cabochon
Grey alligator leather strap
Limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces
TANK ASYMÉTRIQUE WATCH WGTA0043
Extra-large model, 47.15 x 26.2 mm,
thickness: 6.38 mm
18K pink gold
Crown set with a sapphire cabochon
Grey alligator leather strap
Limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces
TANK ASYMÉTRIQUE WATCH WGTA0044
Extra-large model, 47.15 x 26.2 mm,
thickness: 6.38 mm
18K yellow gold
Crown set with a sapphire cabochon
Brown alligator leather strap
Limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces
MANUFACTURE MECHANICAL MOVEMENT WITH MANUAL WINDING 9623 MC, SKELETON
Encasing diameter: 9 lines 1/2 x 14 lines 1/4
Total dimensions: 32 x 21.1 mm
Thickness: 4.2 mm
Number of jewels: 22
Frequency: 28’800 vibrations/hour
Power reserve: 48 hours
TANK ASYMÉTRIQUE WATCH HPI01370
Extra-large model, 47,15 x 26.2 mm, thickness: 7.82 mm
Platinum
Crown set with a brilliant-cut diamond (0.12 ct)
Case and buckle set with
250 brilliant-cut diamonds (2.08 cts)
Blue and black alligator leather straps
Limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces
TANK ASYMÉTRIQUE WATCH WHTA0012
Extra-large model, 47,15 x 26.2 mm, thickness: 7.82 mm
Platinum
Crown set with a sapphire cabochon
Blue and black alligator leather straps
Limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces
TANK ASYMÉTRIQUE WATCH WHTA0011
Extra-large model, 47,15 x 26.2 mm, thickness: 7.82 mm
18K pink gold
Crown set with a sapphire cabochon
Grey and brown alligator leather straps
Limited and numbered edition of 100 pieces
Cartier Tank Asymetrique Gallery
