Cartier Tank Francaise Chronoflex 18k Yellow Gold Watch, 1830
View Similar Items
Cartier Tank Francaise Chronoflex 18k Yellow Gold Watch, 1830
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:
- Metal:
- Dimensions:Diameter: 1.34 in (34 mm)
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:.
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Miami, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU1731218565432
Tank Française Watch
Designed in 1916 by Louis Cartier (1875–1942) — the grandson of Cartier founder Louis-François Cartier — the Tank watch, like few other wristwatches, has seen consistent success since its inception. A variation of the original called the Tank Française watch debuted in 1996 — a modern interpretation of the design that launched the line. Today, the Française is the most popular watch in the series.
Named as a tribute to the formidable Renault tanks that Louis Cartier observed on the Western Front during the first World War — the case was in itself intended to evoke a tank’s cockpit, while the rectangular brancards visually resemble the armored vehicle’s treads — Cartier’s original Tank watch was conceived as a gift from Louis to General John Pershing of the American Expeditionary Force that was stationed in Europe. In 1919, the design entered its first full year of production but was limited to just six watches, and for many years, Cartier manufactured less than 100 of the model annually.
Wholly rare and wonderfully unadorned, the Tank was an instant hit upon its debut (even as Cartier worried about marketing the piece to men and convincing them to ditch their beloved pocket watches). Subsequent variations, which include the admired Tank Chinoise, Tank Louis Cartier, Tank à Guichets and Tank Obus, are revered by watch lovers the world over, but the Tank Française is widely considered to be the pinnacle of contemporary Tank design. Princess Diana owned an all-gold Française, while former First Lady Michelle Obama was photographed for her official White House portrait with the stainless-steel version on her wrist.
Similar to the Panthère de Cartier watch, the Française was the first of the Cartier Tank series to have a chain-link bracelet — a prominent modification in lieu of the rest of the series’ leather straps. The collection’s characteristic black Roman numerals and sword-shaped hands remained intact for the Française, but the case is more square-shaped than the overtly rectangular original.
While it’s true that the Tank Française introduced a casual and more modern aesthetic to the French classic — and you might instead reach for your Panthère rather than your Tank Française to complement formal wear for a fancy cocktail party — this addition to the Tank series retains all of the elegance and sophistication of the original, sporty or not. It’s available with or without diamonds in stainless steel, yellow or pink gold and in a two-toned edition that features accents of both.
Cartier
For its extraordinary range of bracelets, watches, rings and other adornments, French luxury house Cartier is undeniably one of the most well known and internationally revered jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
Perhaps 1847 was not the ideal time to open a new watchmaking and jewelry business, as the French Revolution was not kind to the aristocracy who could afford such luxuries. Nevertheless, it was the year Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904) — who was born into poverty — founded his eponymous empire, assuming control of the workshop of watchmaker Adolphe Picard, under whom he had previously been employed as an assistant. Of course, in the beginning, it was a relatively modest affair, but by the late 1850s, Cartier had its first royal client, Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned the jeweler to design brooches, earrings and other accessories.
Under the leadership of Louis-François’s son, Alfred, who took over in 1874, business boomed. Royalty around the world wore Cartier pieces, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharaja of Patiala and King Edward VII, who had 27 tiaras made by the jewelry house for his coronation in 1902 and issued Cartier a royal warrant in 1904. (Today, the British royal family still dons Cartier pieces; Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, regularly sports a Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.)
Cartier’s golden years, however, began when Alfred introduced his three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, to the business. The brothers expanded Cartier globally: Louis reigned in Paris, Pierre in New York and Jacques in London, ensuring their brand’s consistency at their branches across the world. The trio also brought in such talents as Charles Jacqueau and Jeanne Toussaint.
One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, a large number of people were using only pocket watches.) Louis designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying.
Cartier’s other famous timepieces include the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I, and the so-called mystery clocks. Invented by watchmaker and magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and later crafted exclusively for Cartier in the house’s workshop by watchmaker Maurice Couët, the mystery clocks were so named because the integration of glass dials on which the clocks’ hands would seemingly float as well as structures that are hidden away within the base give the illusion that they operate without machinery.
On the jewelry side of the business, Cartier’s internationally renowned offerings include the Tutti Frutti collection, which featured colorful carved gemstones inspired by Jacques’s trip to India and grew in popularity during the Art Deco years; the panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle inspired by medieval chastity belts that transformed fine jewelry.
While the Cartier family sold the business following the death of Pierre in 1964, the brand continues to innovate today, renewing old hits and creating new masterpieces.
Find contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories on 1stDibs.
- Cartier Tank Americaine 18k Yellow Gold Diamond Case Ref. 811905By CartierLocated in Miami, FLBrand: Cartier Model Name: Tank Americaine Model Number: 811905 Movement: Automatic Case Size: 23 mm Case Back: Closed Case Material: Yellow Gold Bezel: Yellow Gold/Diamonds ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Tank Anglaise Ref. 3506 18k White Gold Diamond Bezel WatchBy CartierLocated in Miami, FLBrand: Cartier Model: Tank Anglaise Movement: Automatic Case Size: 37 x 47 mm Stone: Round Cut Diamonds Dial: Roman Numeral Case Material: White Gold Bracelet Material: White Gold ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, White Gold
- Cartier Panthere De Cartier Watch in 18k Yellow Gold with Custom DiamondsBy CartierLocated in Miami, FLBrand: Cartier Collection: Panthere de Cartier Size: Medium Model Movement: Quartz Case Size : 27 mm (not including the crown) Stones: Diamonds Case Material: 18k Yellow Gold ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Panthere Vendome 18k Yellow Gold 24MM Diamond Pave WatchBy CartierLocated in Miami, FLDesigner: Cartier Model Name: Panthere Vendome Reference Number: 8057916 Movement: Quartz Metal: Yellow Gold Metal Purity: 18k Bracelet: 18k Yellow Gold Dial: White Hour Mark...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Tank Francaise Stainless Steel Diamond Case/Bracelet Ref. 2465By CartierLocated in Miami, FLDescription Brand: Cartier Model: Tank Francaise Movement: Quartz Case Size: 25 mm Stone: Round Cut Diamonds Dial: Roman Numeral Case Material: Stainless Steel Bracelet Mate...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Stainless Steel
- Cartier Tank Anglaise Rose Gold with Diamond Watch, WJTA0004By CartierLocated in Miami, FLBrand: Cartier Model Name: Tank Anglaise Model Number: 3508 Movement: Automatic Case Size: 30 mm Dial Color: White Metal: Rose Gold Stone: Diamonds Hour Mark...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Rose Gold
- Cartier Tank Reverso Tank 18K White Gold Roman Indexes Paris Dial Watch, 1970sBy CartierLocated in Central & Western District, HKBrand: Cartier Model: Tank Reverso Year: 1970’s Serial number: 03xxxx Reference: C03804 An iconic piece of horological heritage, the Cartier Tank has grown from its humble roots in ...Category
Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsWhite Gold
- Cartier Tank 18K Electroplated Must de Cartier Wood Dial Mechanical Watch 1975'sBy CartierLocated in Central & Western District, HKBrand: Cartier Model: Tank Year: 1975 – 1976 Reference: OT1894 Cartier introduced the Must De Cartier Tank timepieces during the mid-1970s, these watches were meticulously crafted u...Category
Vintage 1970s Swiss Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold
- Cartier Tank Francaise Ladies Medium Model Custom Diamonds Steel Watch #2465By CartierLocated in New York, NYCartier Tank Francaise Ladies Medium Model Custom Diamonds Steel Watch 25mm x 30mm #2465 Cartier Tank Francaise Ladies Medium Model Custom Diamonds Steel Watch. Watch has been fully...Category
2010s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Stainless Steel
$7,019 / itemFree Shipping - Vintage Cartier Tank Louis 18K Yellow Gold Manual Wind Swiss Dial 7808, 1980sBy CartierLocated in Central & Western District, HKBrand: Vintage Cartier Model: Tortue Year: 1980’s Movement: Manual Wind Serial number: 107xxxxxx Reference: C03204 Brand: Cartier Model: Tank Louis Year: 1980’s Serial Number: 78086...Category
Vintage 1980s Swiss Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Vintage Woman Watch in 18K Yellow Gold, Circa 1940 Tank Model Club DiamondsLocated in Paris, FRClub brand mechanical ladies' watch circa 1940 Tank model in 18-carat yellow gold set with 2 rows of 3 diamonds on each side, making 12 diamonds in total set in 18-carat white gold. ...Category
Vintage 1940s French Retro Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Tank Francaise Large Model Custom Diamonds on Sides Steel Watch W51002Q3By CartierLocated in New York, NYCartier Tank Francaise Large Model Custom Diamonds on Sides Steel Watch 32 mm x 28.15 mm W51002Q3 Cartier Tank Francaise Ladies Medium Model Custom Diamo...Category
2010s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Stainless Steel
$8,132 / itemFree Shipping
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Cartier Love Bracelet
This iconic jewel has captured countless hearts with its elegant design and its amatory symbolism. Counterfeiters have taken note of the demand and created fake versions. If you’re looking for a genuine Cartier Love bracelet, it’s crucial to check all the elements for authenticity. Our guide will teach you the telltale traits of a knockoff.
The 14 Most Iconic Watches for Women
Style, craft and heritage combine to make these designs undeniable classics.