What Kind Of Tank Am I — A Cartier Tank Américaine Or Louis Cartier? 

Eckhart Tolle once said, “What a liberation to realize that the ‘voice in my head’ is not who I am. Who am I then? The one who sees that.” While those are wise words indeed, that’s not the question I ask myself. I want to know what kind of Tank I am. I know I’m not a guy who would rock a Tank Française or Chinoise. The discontinued Tank Anglaise was never my cup of tea either. The Tank Américaine, however, is most definitely a watch that resonates with me. During Watches and Wonders 2025, Cartier presented a yellow gold version of the Tank Louis Cartier with an off-white dial that made me wonder if that would be the Tank I could wear as a daily driver — sorry, beater.

It’s time to grow up and get myself a proper dress watch. Which one? Well, it won’t be a Reverso because that’s a sports watch, and it won’t be the new Patek Philippe Calatrava 6196P either because I’m afraid it’s out of budget. An Altiplano from Piaget is too modern, and a Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle Manual-Winding in its special 270th-anniversary “côte unique” attire is out of financial reach, just like the Patek. Another important aspect is that the dress watch I want needs to be very different from what I already have. That means it must be non-round and something that doesn’t only exist because it needs to fill out its brand’s portfolio with something geometrically correct. When you put these preferences in the watch navigation system, all roads lead to Cartier.

Am I a Cartier Tank Américaine or Louis Cartier?

My quest led me to Cartier, but now the question arises of which watch to pick. Not too long ago, I had the chance to go hands-on with the latest version of the Tank Américaine in steel and yellow gold. The Tank Américaine debuted in 1989, making it a modern variation of the 1917 original. Still, when it comes to heritage, it seems to be closer in shape and character to the 1921 Tank Cintrée. The Américaine’s elongated looks give it character and presence, especially the large version outfitted with an automatic movement. The one I tried on at Fratello HQ was 44.4mm long, 24.4mm wide, and 8.6mm thick. When I write “thick,” I mean “slim” because it’s well below the 10mm mark, making it thin enough to be sophisticated, classy, and refined.

Cartier did a great job with the largest of the “American Tanks” because it comes with the brand’s automatic caliber 1899 MC. This 4Hz movement debuted in 2019 and was designed to fit a thinner range of watches. It runs at 28,800vph, provides a 40-hour power reserve, and sits hidden within an updated, slimmer, and thus better-fitting case than previous versions of the Tank Américaine. The long and slim watch, with its elongated brancards and rectangular dial between them, creates an elegantly slender look.

The dial comes alive with the railroad minute track showing a slight curve on the top and bottom. There’s also an understated and subtle vertically brushed satin finish. Two hands are more than enough on a watch like this. They keep the watch clean and less urgent than one that constantly reminds you time ticks on with the movement of the seconds hand.

Meeting the new Tank Louis Cartier Automatic

Meeting Louis Cartier during this year’s Watches and Wonders was a pleasure. Let me be a bit clearer: I mean the new large version of the Tank Louis Cartier with the automatic caliber 1899 MC. This watch is not just a 2025 highlight for me but also an essential moment in the history of this type of Tank. This watch is the first “Tank LC” with an automatic movement since the Tank Louis Cartier Jumbo ref. 17002 debuted in 1974. The new Tank LC Automatic is 38.1mm long, 27.75mm wide, and 8.18mm thick. On offer are rose gold (WGTA0346) and yellow gold (WGTA0357) versions, and both have an off-white dial with a sunburst-like texture.

And what a lovely flinqué dial it is. It shows handsome rays emitting from the center and growing the closer they come to the dial’s perimeter. Classical black Roman numerals, including the Cartier signature on the “VII,” are a no-brainer for an LC, but that doesn’t take away any of the allure. And neither do the blued sword-shaped steel hands. By the way, this watch doesn’t have a sapphire crystal over the dial but a flat mineral glass instead.

Comparing watches and prices

Rectangular or very rectangular — that is the question. The answer is formulated after trying on both watches and comparing their respective prices. Let’s start with the watch that appeared on my radar first, the large Tank Américaine in steel (WSTA0083). The watch costs €6,800, meaning that, although the term “affordable” hardly applies, it is within reach if I execute a careful financial strategy. I love it on my wrist. Luckily, the 18cm circumference and shape of my wrist match the 44.4mm-long watch. I prefer to wear it on a grayish-blue calfskin strap you don’t see in the pictures, but that strap is available from Cartier, so that’s one obstacle out of the way. Thank heavens because in yellow gold, that watch costs €18,300.

In my opinion, the Américaine looks best in steel, but trying on the new gold Tank Louis Cartier Automatic models made me shiver. First, that was because I anticipated a price as steep as the gold Américaine. Surprisingly, the yellow and rose gold versions of the Tank Louis Cartier cost almost €5K less. A price of €13,400 will require an even stricter and more strategic financial plan than the steel Tank Américaine, but the watch felt and looked so good on my wrist that I’m not afraid to subject myself to a stringent monetary regime. My preferred version comes on a dark gray leather strap. The yellow gold pin buckle is as simple as classic and elegant.

So, what kind of Tank am I? Am I a Cartier Tank Américaine or Louis Cartier? I think I am both, but the Américaine suits me now, and the yellow gold LC will do so in 10 years. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go see my financial advisor and discuss two Tank strategies.

Also, let me ask: what kind of Tank are you? Tell me in the comments.