03-07-2025
The Watches We Love: Cartier Tank
The Cartier Tank is the result of such extraordinary vision on behalf of its creator that its core elements and foundational design have remained in place for over 100 years. A watch that evolves and yet remains forever true to that original vision, the Cartier Tank unquestionably belongs in horology's highest tier.
Welcome to the first instalment of The Watches We Love, a new series for Man of Many's Digital Editions in which we'll pick one of horology's most defining timepieces every quarter to explore how it came to be, what makes it special, and whose wrists it has adorned most strikingly over the years.
For this first outing, there were a number of highly qualified candidates in the running, but ultimately, the Cartier Tank has the honour of taking the stage for The Watches We Love's debut. Perhaps it was the outstanding new releases launched at Watches and Wonders 2025, the sheer timelessness and instant recognisability of that extraordinary design, or the simple fact that I really want one that gave the Tank the edge over the competition.
Whatever the reason, there's no timepiece more deserving of a retrospective, as we look at its journey thus far and the vibrant and compelling modern incarnations that ensure the Tank is never out of the conversation.
While a watch that has many, many imitators, none match the original for sheer elegance, timelessness, and horological significance. And while it has come in a wide range of subtly different forms over the years, the Tank has invariably embodied an X factor that others simply cannot replicate. From here, we'll dive into the origins of this incredible line, calling out particular favourites along the way. Here we go…
