I’m joining the choir of voices that have been raving about the new Cartier Tank MC.  First there was foversta’s review of the watch:

cartier.watchprosite.com

And then MTF’s:

cartier.watchprosite.com

At the risk of sounding repetitive, but with the advantage fresh photos of my own taking, please continue read on!

Just a year after the launch of the Tank Anglaise in 2012, the large model of which contains Cartier’s in-house caliber 1904 MC, Cartier announced the Tank MC, which is available in only one size, and also features the 1904 MC movement, though here with small seconds, whereas the Tank Anglaise employs center seconds.

This base model comes in either stainless steel or rose gold, measuring 34.3 x 44.0 mm, and with a thickness of 9.5 mm. There are a couple of dial options. With the steel cases there is the classic silver with textured pattern and blued steel hands:

And also black with similar textured pattern, though here with rhodium hands for a bright contrast against the dark dial to ease legibility.

The dials are very attractive and with a lot of depth, not only from the texture finish, but also with the recessed small seconds and the date window.

In the rose gold case, there is a classic silver dial with blued hands:

As well as a chocolate dial, which I have yet to get the chance to photograph.

The details of the case make for a very interesting design, with a combination of curved surfaces and an attractive mix of satin and polished finishes.

I especially like the satin-grained finish along the horizontal cross pieces, giving relief to the polished vertical pieces.

With Cartier excellence in design can be taken for granted. The focus with this watch is with the 1904 movement, which continues to gain traction in the watch collecting in the Tank MC, after having been introduced in the Calibre de Cartier collection (2010), then found itself powering  the Tank Anglaise Large Model (2012) and also is being used as a base for complications in the Fine Watchmaking collection.

The double barrel movement beats at 28,800 VPH, and has a 48 hour power reserve.

The movement measures 25.6mm in diameter and 4mm thick and it beats at 28,800 VPH.  Decorative finishing is attractive though not superlative.

I appreciate the fact the movement spacer is a proper form shape in alignment with the Tank MC design and well finished with Geneva waves.

The watch looks and feels great on the wrist

I like the adjustable clasp that lets the wearer slide the strap in or out for a perfect fit. I would get a few different colored straps to give the watch a different depending on my mood.

The Tank MC augments to the Tank lineup beautifully. While I really like the small and medium Tank Anglaise models for women, for some reason the design does not scale up well with the large model for men. With the Tank MC Cartier has created an attractive watch for men. The stainless steel piece feels tremendously valued at $6600, while the gold model is $20,800. For a steel watch, the Tank MC is an easy choice. For a gold watch, I would more likely choose the Tank Louis Cartier Extra Flat.

Bill