Cartier Tank Louis

Why We Love It In addition to being one of the most prestigious jewelry houses in the world, Cartier has a rich history of creating important timepieces.  From the historic Cartier Santos to the iconic Tank, they have been responsible for some of the most important and most elegant watches around. Their timepieces have graced the wrists of everyone from Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis to Andy Warhol. Equally appropriate for men and women, this particular example is in lovely condition with an exceptionally clean dial. Its slender stance on the wrist is as effortlessly comfortable as it is elegant. Whether paired with a t-shirt, linen suit, or cocktail dress - the Cartier Tank Louis is a classic that stands in a category unto itself. The Story Despite being a purveyor of haute joaillerie, Cartier has had a long tradition of making watches. It started in 1907, when founder Louis Cartier made what was arguably the very first wristwatch for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont. Throughout the years, the brand made a name for itself with its most famous wristwatch, the Tank, in all its multitudinous forms. Cartier introduced the Tank in 1917, with a run of six pieces--given, or so the legend goes, to American General Joseph Pershing and his staff. The design of the Tank was inspired by the Renault FT-17 tanks Cartier glimpsed on the battlefield of WW1. Cartier took the look of the Renault tank's treads and applied it to the lugs, which were integrated via brancards into the case itself. That first run of six pieces increased to thirty-three by 1920, and by the end of the 20th century, that number stood well in the thousands. In sheer volume alone, the Tank--in all its various models--is Cartier's largest line of watches.  The Tank Louis was introduced in 1922, following close on the heels of the Asian-influenced Tank Chinoise. The Tank Chinoise, released amidst a mania for jewelry inspired by the Orient, has a square rather than rectangular case and lugs that resemble the portico of a Chinese pagoda. With the Tank Louis, Cartier went back to basics, with the classic lugs that resemble the treads that inspired them. Louis Cartier himself wore the watch that bore his name. That association with the man himself marks the Tank Louis as the quintessence of the Cartier Tanks.