Cartier Tank Française

Cartier Tank Française aka “The Vin Deisel”

THE BASICS

The Cartier Tank Française was my first ever luxury watch, a gift I gave to myself upon turning 31, the year I launched Dimepiece.co. It felt so timeless and elegant, and the steel bracelet set it apart from the leather-strapped Tank I was so used to seeing. I also love the near-industrial severity of the shape – it truly feels like a piece of architecture. This 2000s-era piece is special because it’s 18K WHITE GOLD, my favorite flex. Some may think it’s steel, but you know it’s gold. Foundwell and I saw this on an amazing photo of peak Vin Diesel, which felt like such an odd yet perfect pairing. This size is the one he wore, as opposed to the smaller sizes chosen by the ladies such as Michelle Obama, Princess Diana and your’s truly. 

DATE OF BIRTH: C. 2000’s

MATERIAL: Solid eighteen carat white gold 

SIZE: 32mm x 29mm

MOVEMENT: Automatic Caliber 120

CONDITION: Excellent

BOX/PAPERS: No/No

THE NITTY GRITTY:

A solid eighteen carat white gold Cartier Tank Française model on original eighteen carat white gold bracelet. The last major introduction into the iconic Cartier Tank line was this, the Française. This model, which took its design cues from French architecture, was introduced to be more of a bracelet watch than simply a watch. The bracelet on this model is thicker and integrates more seamlessly into the case, a distinction from its predecessors – the Tank Americaine, launched in 1989, and the Tank Louis introduced all the way back in 1922.

The watch still retains all the details that Cartier lovers flock to the brand for – the Roman numeral dial with a chemin de fer minute track, sword blued steel hands and a blue sapphire set winding crown. This model, being the white gold version, features an elevated guilloche pattern running throughout the dial and the date window located at the six o'clock position.

The heavy and beautifully made bracelet seamlessly joins the case and is opened through a butterfly clasp on the back center. The inside of which is fully stamped with Cartier control marks and gold assay marks. The screw back caseback is also fully signed with the unique Cartier serial number and model number. The overall condition of the watch is excellent, the watch having recently seen a light polish with no issues at all.

Essentially an evolution from the DNA of Cartier’s most iconic watch, this model, for many, remains a coveted version of the classic. There are two additional enticing features to this model presented here: First, the size. This is the larger version of the watch, which, due to the original design directive, wears much like a piece of jewelry. Also, the solid white gold version is a lot more rare, and very discreet. To most unknowing eyes it is simply a stainless steel watch.