INTRODUCING: The Cartier Tank Privé Chinoise

The Cartier brand has had some large releases at Watches and Wonders. Their newly released Privé collection captures the spirit of the beloved Tank in a new style. Except this style isn’t new at all. It was originally released in 1922, and was inspired by the strong architecture of Chinese temples and windows.

THE BASICS:

BRAND: Cartier

Model: Privé Tank Chinoise

Case Material: Platinum, Diamond-set Platinum, Yellow or Rose Gold

Case Size: 39.49mm x 29.2mm x 6.09mm / 39.5mm x 29.2mm x 7.70mm

Water Resistance: TBD but likely 30m

Movement: Caliber 430 MC / Caliber 9627 MC

Movement Specs: Both are manual-wound, 38-hour power reserve

Strap Options: For closed dials: Semi-matte grey or black Alligator Leather. For open dials: 2 Alligator Leather straps (color dependent on model).

THE JUICE:

The original Tank Chinoise was released in 1922, and this new release draws its influences from the original Chinoise to integrate with Cartier’s more modern style. The original Chinoise was closer to a square shape, while these new designs more closely resemble a Tank style watch with their slightly elongated, rectangular shapes. The inspiration from the original is clear, as the new releases keep the same bold Oriental-inspired details, but change some of the finishes on the watch. The sides of the case front are now brushed, while the bold detailing still keeps the same polish as the original.

The skeletonized movements from Cartier are nothing new, they released their Tank LC Sapphire Skeleton and Santos-Dumont Skeleton years before these watches. However, this collection puts an Oriental spin on a classic design, with their skeletonized watches exhibiting Asian-inspired temple patterns. This new design gives an old Cartier model new life, featuring bold, bright details in a style that is otherwise sleek and elegant.

Cartier took influence from an old design and ran with it. They saw the small hint of Asian inspiration in the original Chinoise and magnified that tenfold on the new design. SAs many releases produced by Cartier at Watches and Wonders, I have yet to be disappointed by a single one of them.

So how much is the Cartier Privé Tank Chinoise?

Prices for the Tank Chinoise watch are TBD, but we will update this article once we hear back from the brand.

Read more about the watch on the Cartier website