In 1917, Louis Cartier took inspiration from the mechanical invention of man that could affect both war and peace–the British army tanks–and created the Tank L.C. which has become the best selling watch in the history of Cartier.

The prototype watch with lines and proportions similar to those of tanks found on First World War battlefields was presented by Cartier to General John Pershing of the American Expeditionary Force.  The rectangle design which was a bold departure from the traditional round watches is the very essence of modernism culminating with the launch of more watches in the Tank collection such as The Cartier Tank Americaine in 1989 and Tank Francoise in 1996.

Cartier’s expression of simple elegance and timeless design comes through in Tank Americaine XL with reference number W2609856. It’s a refined optical illusion with extra large (32 mm x 52 mm) rectangular 18 carat pink gold case capped by sapphire cabochon winding crown. Its silvered opaline guilloche dial with painted Roman numerals, its blue, sword-shaped hands, its “railroad” minute track and its date calendar at 6 o’clock are well-protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

The Cartier Tank Americaine is set on a  brown leather strap in crocodile pattern. The discreet strap connections never break the flow of the smooth perpendicular lines with the famous flat-edged vertical sidepieces extended to hug the strap so as to be hidden from view. In order to ensure that this elegant watch functions properly, the bracelet should fit the wrist snugly.

The automatic movement of The Cartier Tank Americaine is designed for active and modern lifestyles, winding automatically with every wave, with every swing and with every movement of the wrist day after day. However, if this heroic tank of a timepiece is put out of action for several days, it is advisable to wind it manually before wearing it.

This 20^th century masterpiece from the classic Tank collection is water resistant up to 30 meters and can be used while swimming but not for diving. Although designed to last a lifetime, caution must be exercised to make sure that the crown is pushed and not pulled outward while in the water.

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