The Cartier Tank Solo served for nearly two decades as the modern gateway to the legendary Tank design, offering an understated and refined interpretation of the 1917 original. It is distinguished by its perfectly flat brancards—a deliberate departure from the convex cases of other Tank models—which provides a clean, contemporary profile on the wrist.
Founded in Paris in 1847, Cartier approaches horology with the perspective of a master jeweler, prioritizing form, proportion, and aesthetic purity. The Maison was a crucial pioneer of the modern wristwatch, creating the purpose-built Santos-Dumont in 1904 for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont and later the iconic Tank in 1917, whose "brancards" seamlessly integrated the case and lugs into a singular design.
While historically collaborating with ebauche movement suppliers, Cartier has since invested significantly in its own manufacture capabilities in Switzerland, developing a suite of in-house calibres. The brand's enduring significance lies not in technical innovation, but in creating a portfolio of iconic case shapes that are foundational to watchmaking itself.
Overall Grade: 8.5 / 10 | Great Condition, Light Visible Wear Production: est. 2011 Contents: Watch and Box Genre: Dress Watch
Size: 28x35mm Thickness: approx. 7mm Lug Width: approx. 21mm
Case: Stainless steel, rectangular with mirrored finish, light visible wear Bezel: Mirror finished stainless steel integrated brancards, light visible wear Dial: Silvered opaline dial, printed Roman numerals and minute track Hands: Blued steel sword hands
Crown: Beaded push-pull crown with synthetic spinel cabochon, light visible wear Crystal: Sapphire crystal, light visible wear Bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet, light visible wear Caseback: Solid stainless steel, secured with screws, light visible wear Movement: Quartz Caliber: Swiss Quartz Ebauche