Cartier Tank Americaine Automatic

The Cartier Tank Americaine is quite possibly the least understood model in Cartier's lineup. Introduced in 1989 under Richemeont group ownership, the Tank Americaine is in many ways a modern update to the classic Cintrée model. With an elongated case featuring a gently curved case back, the Americaine line was designed from the start as a larger watch to suit American tastes. Initially launched exclusively with quartz movements, the line has expanded in the past decades to include a variety of mechanical variants, as well as different sizes, case materials, and complications that put the Americaine all over the map in terms of value — hence the broad confusion amongst collectors, who don't know where to 'put' the model in the lineup from low to high. This particular example, a Reference 1741, features an 18k white gold case with a curved sapphire crystal, a white guilloche dial with printed Roman indices and a matching blued-steel sword handset, a date window at 6 o’clock, and Cartier's ubiquitous sapphire cabochon winding crown to operate the in-house Calibre 120 automatic-winding movement within. Fitted to a black leather strap with a signed 18K white gold Ardillon pin buckle, this piece is suitable for virtually any wrist. If you're Cartier-curious but the Tank Louis or the Santos don't speak to you, the Tank Americaine might just be the watch for you!