Introducing the Cartier Privé Tank Chinoise

Background of the Brand

French jeweler Cartier has always used the brand’s extensive archives in creating their novelties for the trade fairs. Friends of the brand and fellow enthusiasts have been eager to see what comes out of the Collection Privé, the main platform in reviving previous watch models. Since 2017, the collection has reintroduced some of the most important timepieces in the past century that are reminiscent of the much-lauded Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) from the late 1990s. Learning its lessons from their reliance on external movements, the brand has since broadened their movement production in partnership with movement makers under the Richemont Group. The collection consisted of several different models that included the Crash, the Tank Cintrée, the Tonneau, the Tank Asymétrique, and the Cloche de Cartier. This year as part of its 2022 novelties, the collection revives the forgotten tank model, the Tank Chinoise.

What is the Deal?

The original Tank Chinoise that was developed by Louis Cartier in 1922.

First introduced in 1922, the Tank Chinoise was developed by Louis Cartier as a response to the sudden resurgence of Chinoiserie in the aftermath of the First World War. According to Harry Fane, noted specialist on vintage Cartier timepieces, this model after being discontinued in the early 1930s was later revived as a numbered limited edition as part of the CPCP collection in 2004. The new Cartier Privé Tank Chinoise comes in a more rectangular shape compared to the original model from a century ago. Two dial configurations of the model have been introduced: time-only and skeletonized version with a lacquered finish.

The first configuration of the Cartier Privé Tank Chinoise collection features Roman numerals and is executed in three precious metals: yellow gold, rose gold and platinum.

The first configuration featuring the classic Roman numerals is executed in three precious metals: rose gold, yellow gold and platinum. It is powered by the manual caliber 430 MC and will be limited to only 150 pieces in each metal. The second configuration is a skeletonized version with a lacquered finish in either red and black or red and blue combinations. What makes the new lacquered skeleton models interesting is their incorporation of Chinese motifs that mimics the traditional good luck characters used during the Lunar New Year. These are powered by the manual caliber 9627 MC and will be limited to only 100 pieces in yellow gold and platinum and 20 pieces in platinum set with diamonds.

The second configuration of the Cartier Privé Tank Chinoise collection is a skeletonized version with a lacquered finish incorporating Chinese motifs into the dial that are executed in yellow gold, platinum and platinum set with diamonds.

What Do We Think?

With a new generation of watch enthusiasts collecting vintage Cartier timepieces for the past few years, the brand has clearly taken a good notice of this developing trend. It is fortunate that the design team of the brand has done their homework in this novelty. While it is expected that this limited series will immediately sell-out, we honestly hope that the Tank Chinoise will return as part of the main production of the line later on.

Specifications

Our coverage of the various Watches and Wonders continues into the week of 30 March-5 April 2022. To keep yourself informed of the latest releases at the event on our website.

Find out more at the Vintage Grail website. For more information, contact us at [email protected] or contact us at (+63) 917 159 1211.