Cartier Tank Americaine

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 Cintree model. With an elongated case featuring a gently curved case back, the Americaine line was designed from the start to be 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 sizes, casing 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 2503, features a 19mm solid 18k rose gold diamond encrusted case with a curved sapphire crystal, a white guilloche dial with printed black 'Roman' indices and a matching blued-steel 'pencil' handset, and a diamond cabochon crown. Powered by a quartz movement, this piece comes fitted to a gorgeous solid rose gold 'scales' bracelet with a signed hidden deployant clasp. 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!