The Tank Louis Cartier is back, bigger and better than ever, with an automatic movement and stunning dial
Russell Sheldrake- The Tank Louis Cartier is getting a bigger size, now measuring 27.75mm x 38.1mm.
- It now features the 1899 MC, a mid-range, in-house automatic movement.
- Available in yellow or rose gold, the automatic Tank Louis also gets a uniquely finished sunburst dial.
When you look back at the long and storied history of the Cartier Tank, the Tank Louis Cartier (LC) has always stood out as being the first iteration to truly amplify the elegance of the original design. The Tank LC has since very much become the standard silhouette for the Tank family and the default that many go to when first talking about the Tank. The squared brancards of the Tank Normale had been rounded, softened, and elongated, with a more pronounced rectangular shape taking hold. Now, Cartier has brought out a new line in this classical dress watch family that adds another chapter of elegance to this 103-year story.
In this latest update to the Tank LC, Cartier has expanded its dimensions and has it running on a an automatic, in-house calibre. This upsized model is available in two case metals, yellow and rose gold, and seems to buck the trend that suggests all watches are getting smaller as we move closer to vintage sizing.
This new expansion is powered the 1899 MC, released in 2023 and preciously featuring in the elegantly elongated Tank Américaine LM. This in-house movement adds a new dimension to the existing Tank Louis Cartier line-up which has only been available with hand-wound movements, and features a no-frills industrial finish and a 40-hour power reserve.
The dial has seen some subtle yet noticeable upgrades as well, now the radiant guilloché pattern starts in the centre and goes right out to the edge, creating a super fine texture the closer you get to the hands. This also means the dial is all one tone now, whereas before, it could be described as a bit of a two-tone with competing guilloché patterns generating differing effects inside the train track minute scale.
We continue to see the blued steel sword hands, and the blue sapphire cabochon, although the press release suggests we will be getting other metal types in this line in the future as it teases other stone cabochons will appear in this redesigned Tank Louis Cartier.
Cartier Tank Louis Cartier Automatic pricing and availability
The new yellow and rose gold Cartier Tank Louis Cartier are available now. Price: US$14,900
| Brand | Cartier |
| Model | Tank Louis Cartier Automatic |
| Case Dimensions | 27.75mm (D) x 8.18mm (T) x 38.1mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Yellow gold, rose gold |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Flinqué enamel |
| Strap | Matte grey or brown alligator leather, case-matching pin buckle |
| Movement | Calibre 1899 MC, in-house, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 40 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | US$14,900 |