Cartier Tank Allongee Sapphire

Cartier is responsible for some of the most recognizable and successful wristwatches in the history of modern horology. The definitive expert on watch design, the French maison has always been a leader in challenging conventional approaches to watchmaking while pioneering new styling as a fixture in the broader fashion world. Few watches have played a larger role in solidifying this brand identity than the Tank. Undoubtedly the most iconic watch in Cartier’s history and conceived based on a simple idea, it’s evolved to take myriad forms over the years, with over a dozen sub-designs that each has its own identity and presence.  Introduced in 1917 based on the conception of Louis Cartier, the great-grandson of Cartier’s founder, the Tank took inspiration from a French military vehicle from the First World War, the Renault FT-17. Its look was striking and revolutionary — rectangular and unconventional for the period, it was also one of the earliest wristwatches to be popularly accepted by the broader fashion space. After 1917, Cartier saw a surge in interest in its unique timepieces, and more and more Cartier Tank models were born, building on the underlying design philosophy that made the Tank an initial success in the 1910s. The Tank Cintrée was introduced in 1921, the Louis and Chinoise in 1922, the Basculante in 1933, the Asymetrique in 1936, and so on. This particular Cartier Tank Allongee is one of the more contemporary takes on the famed rectangular dress watch. Measuring 14mm x 28mm in 18K white gold with stunning sapphire-set brancards, a sapphire cabochon crown, and a sapphire crystal, it features a textured silver dial with black painted 'Roman' indices and a blued steel 'sword' handset. Powered by a hard-wearing quartz movement, it comes paired to a signed Cartier blue fabric strap with a signed white gold buckle. Elegant and beautiful, it's the perfect modern take on the early-20th-century cocktail watch. Timeless design in French translates to conception intemporel. However, in our books, it's "Cartier."