Reference Guide
SJX offers a fascinating visual journey through Cartier's historical Tank watch display, originally seen at SIHH 2012 and later in Singapore. This article provides a chronological overview of the iconic Tank's evolution, showcasing various models from the Tank Louis Cartier to the Tank Française, and highlighting Cartier's rich watchmaking heritage.
At SIHH 2012 visitors to the Cartier booth were treated to a comprehensive display of historical Tank watches, arranged chronologically in display cases that even had miniature props. A condensed version of the display is now on show in Singapore at the Cartier boutique in ION Orchard mall. Unfortunately no vintage watches are on show, but the display neatly sums up the evolution of the Tank over the last century.
Such a thematic display is unusual and already passers by were snapping photos of the showcases when I was there.
It begins in the 1920s with the Tank Louis Cartier, arguably the most well known of all the Tank watches
Above: A 1920s Tank LC
And then comes the 1930s...
With the reversible Tank Basculante
Above: A Tank Basculante
And some period advertising for the Tank.
Hollywood is evoked for the 1940s
A selection of modern Tank watches
And then comes the 1960s
The really important Tank appears in the 1970s.
The Les Must de Cartier Tank was one of the best selling Cartier watches ever, and part of the line that saved the company
In the 1980s the Tank Americaine, a descendant of the Tank Cintree, was born
Above: a vintage Tank Cintree
And in the 1990s the Tank Francaise was unveiled
2009 was the beginning of the Fine Watchmaking collection, with one of the first models being the Tank Flying Tourbillon
2012 sees the addition of the Tank Anglaise
I think that a lot of people appreciated a lot this display at the SIHH. It was really nicely made. Thanks a lot for the report! Fx
But unfortunately that won't happen due to the logistics of bringing the vintage piece around. - SJX
In this day and age not sure what issues they would have with logistics that can't be overcome and I think it is part of the effort required in reinforcing the brand's DNA. Such short sightedness is sad. Roni
insurance, safety of the pieces, manpower (they have to be hand carried by Cartier staff). Not insurmountable issues but still I understand the problems, after seeing first hand how the Cartier Time Art show in Singapore was set up, and then packed up. - SJX
If you want to establish credibility as a manufacturer of fine timepieces (which I believe is an objective) then these are costs that they have to bear. A lot of collectors still view the brand as a jeweller first.Leveraging on the heritage as a watch maker is an advantage the brand does have,unlike others. Some times the decision makers loose the plot perhaps? Roni
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