Foversta's initial impressions of the Cartier Tank MC Chronograph offer a valuable early look at this distinctive rectangular timepiece. The author highlights the watch's balanced design and the successful integration of a chronograph complication into the Tank MC case, a challenging feat for rectangular watches. This preview sets the stage for a deeper exploration of its aesthetic and mechanical attributes.
I had the chance to handle this watch today thanks to the Cartier France team. I will come back to it with a detailed review but I can already tell you that I was seduced by its charm. You know, it was not so obvious because this watch falls into the category of the "unsurprising" watches or at least, of the very logical ones. Why? Simply because after the presentation of the 3 hands Tank MC, I knew that it would house later the 1904-CH MC movement.
At the end, it is not so common to see rectangular chronograph watches. Of course, some pieces come to our mind but they are not numerous. Actually, it is quite a difficult task to achieve a balanced design with the two subdials and the rectangular case... without forgetting that the second hand of the chronograph has to follow a rectangular scale!
Anyway, the recipe works very well with the Cartier Tank MC Chronograph which takes advantage of the assets of the new Tank case. It has a slender design without being too thin what is perfect for this chronograph.
The location of the two subdials shows that the size of the movement is coherent with the case. If I have to sum up this watch with a single world, I would say: "balance". I feel this balance when I put it on the wrist, when I look at its dial. Obviously, I would have loved to see a more refined decoration of the movement (same topic with the 3 hands Tank MC) but at least, the SS versions have a very interesting value for money.
Last words: I had the surprise to see that the slate dial version (which gives a nice contemporary touch to the dial) is available with the SS case. Good news!
The two SS versions:
Close-up of the dial, the guillochage decorates the central part of the dial without being too "heavy" visually speaking.
Look at the difference between the horizontal brushed parts and the polished vertical ones. This detail explains why the Tank MC case is more complex than we may think.
The SS version on the wrist:
The slate dial has the little something which makes the watch really attractive. But carefull! The legibility is not as good than with the silver dial.
The 1904-CH MC movement. Despite its very sober decoration, it offers an interesting lay-out with a visible column-wheel:
More to come soon!
Fr.Xavier
This message has been edited by foversta on 2014-04-15 12:48:58 
