The Privé collection, paying tribute to historic models of the French manufacture, is joined by a refreshed version of the simple, classic Tank model. Normale will be available in several versions.
Every year, Replica Cartier, with its typical elegance, winks at its most loyal fans and collectors, dedicating to them another member of the limited, exclusive Prive family. It houses watches that have written a chapter in the brand’s history. So far, these have included: Crash, Cintrée, Cloche or Chinoise, shown last year. This year, the French chose a simple, minimalist, but at first glance constituting the essence of Cartier design, the Tank Normale model.
Normal in name, the new Tank in fact has all the makings of representing normality in the brand’s version. The watch is simple in almost every detail, but summa summarum, the simplicity of these details exudes the luxury and style of a Parisian maison. For example, the case is made of either 18 ct yellow gold or even more valuable and unique platinum. Its form clearly resembles the rectangular outline of a classic tank, with lugs flowing smoothly into the sides of the casing. Regardless of the version, the whole thing is finished with a satin finish, which is further enhanced by polishing on the edges. Tank Normale measures 32.6 x 25.7 mm, is 6.85 mm thick and – which is worth remembering just in case – is not resistant to even minor splashes. On the right side of the case there is a traditional, decorative crown with a sapphire (gold version) or ruby (platinum) cabochon. From the top, the case has a sapphire glass with bevelled edges.
The dial of the Tank Normale is thoroughly Cartier. The silver dial has painted Roman hour markers, an internal minute ring, the brand logo and only two hands that measure time. In the gold model they are blue, in the platinum model they are silver. They are powered by the manual caliber 070, which has a power reserve of 38 hours. There is one more detail worth attention on the dial – the date 1917, subtly incorporated into the “VII” index – the year of premiere of the first Tank model.
The watch will be available in one option with an alligator leather strap. The second variant, which should particularly please the most experienced collectors of the manufacturer, is the bracelet debuting in the Privé line, fully satin-finished and seamlessly fitted with the case. Historically, Cartier rarely used the bracelet option, but when it did, the watches were a unique collector’s item. Both models will be produced in a limited number of only 100 pieces (each) with a bracelet and 200 with a strap, with prices ranging from EUR 27,900 (~PLN 130,600) to EUR 48,200 (~PLN 225,600).
Tank Normale Skeleton
For fans of the skeleton design often proposed by Cartier, three additional references have been prepared, with an open dial and mechanism option. However, Cartier did not stop there, because the watches have 24-hour time display – the hour hand makes one full revolution around the dial per day. To facilitate quick reading of the current time (which is unlikely to be intuitive in this variant), the skeletonized bridges are covered with a gradient coating, light at the top (for daytime hours) and dark at the bottom (for night hours). A careful eye will notice that these bridges are additionally shaped in the shape of the sun and the moon. They are part of the hand-wound caliber 9628 MC with a 36-hour power reserve.
The skeletonized Normale version has the same case materials – gold or platinum – and dimensions of 35.2 x 27.8 mm. These models were offered only in a version with a strap and were limited to 50 pieces. However, if luxury is not enough for you, there is also a platinum version studded with diamonds. Even more unique and limited – only 20 copies. Prices for the Normale Skeleton Tank range from EUR 76,500 (~PLN 358,500) to EUR 115,000 (~PLN 538,700).
