The name Cartier needs no introduction. As one of the most influential and celebrated jewellery and watch brands of the last century, it has always stood as a mark of luxury and desirability. Without taking away from its historical significance, I would say that when it comes to watches, Cartier has always been predominantly known as a ‘design’ brand rather than a pure watchmaking one, with stunningly iconic models such as the Tank, the Crash, and the Santos all seen as important due to how it looks. In fact, to this day, it is the beautiful and unconventional designs that attract collectors and allow it to hold a unique position in the watch brand hierarchy that no other possesses.
While there are many celebrated models from Cartier, few sit higher in the hierarchy than the Tank Cintrée. With the original Tank debuting in 1919, the more elongated and elegant Cintrée followed in 1921 and has remained part of the brand’s repertoire ever since. One special thing to note about the Tank Cintrée, in general, is that it has always been either made to order or produced in small, exclusive runs—a tradition that further adds to its overall mystique and desirability.
With the recent growth in appreciation for rare and special Cartier watches, 2021 marked the 100th anniversary of the Tank Cintrée, and ardent collectors were excitedly anticipating a huge anniversary model. While Cartier certainly did deliver as expected, what was surprising was how they did it. Instead of a grand unveiling with the usual launch events and press kits, the 100th Anniversary Cintrée was quietly released and discreetly delivered to select VIP clients. Before long, a few examples surfaced on social media, spreading rapidly through word of mouth. In my view, this kind of approach was a perfect tribute to the Cintrée itself: a watch that captivates through design yet remains understated and elegant in spirit.
This Cartier 100th Anniversary Tank Cintrée was made in a limited run of 150 pieces and quickly sold out, making it a watch you will certainly not come across very often. Faithful to the original 9-ligne sizing, the 46mm x 23mm sizing sits perfectly as it gently curves across the wrist. Furthermore, the yellow gold case and eggshell dial are certainly nods to traditional Cartier styling, further emphasised by the clean Breguet-style hands, exploding Roman numerals, and the classic Chemin de Fer minutes track.
As with all Cintrées, it’s nearly impossible to capture the elegance of the case in mere words. You only truly appreciate it once it’s on the wrist. I have never seen a watch sit so flush to my wrist before, and that is a testament to Cartier’s technical mastery of proportion and form.
Powered by a Jaeger-LeCoultre–derived, manually wound Cal. 9780MC, this Tank Cintrée represents the complete package. The combination of its centenary significance and its timeless design makes it not only one of Cartier’s most collectable creations but one of the standout watches in modern collecting.
It’s no mystery why the Tank Cintrée remains Cartier’s flagship even to this day—it simply looks and wears like a dream. Undeniably, it’s one of the brand’s most renowned pieces and a cornerstone for any serious collector.
