Hands-On With The Cartier Tank À Guichets: A Tank In A Casemate

So, a tank is pretty tough, right? How do you make it even tougher? Park it in a casemate! Stick the cannon through one of the tiny embrasures, and you have a fearsome defensive installation. Well, that’s what Cartier did. The mighty Cartier Tank was parked in a bunker, and the result is called the Cartier Tank à Guichets. I got a chance to go hands-on with one to see if it stands the heat of battle.

My apologies for the combative analogy in an age when nations are at each other’s throats. Perhaps my recent trip to Normandy triggers these associations. Maybe it really is the watch, though. After all, it looks like it could be a precious-metal miniature of something concrete perched on the French Atlantic shore, right? In any case, let’s have a closer look!

The Cartier Tank à Guichets

As explained in my introduction article on these watches, guichets means “windows” or “counters.” This Tank, then, serves up the time through two windows. That’s all you get to see since the rest of the dial side of the watch is plain metal. But is “plain” the right word? It is very nicely brushed platinum, rose gold, or yellow gold.

The collection consists of four models, with three regular-production versions in yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum and one limited edition in platinum. The last one, limited to 200 pieces, features tilted apertures for an even funkier appearance. All versions measure 24.8mm (diameter) × 37.6mm (lug-to-lug) × 6mm (thickness). This means they wear slightly bigger than a typical large Tank Solo.

Inside ticks caliber 9755 MC, a Cartier adaptation of the Piaget caliber 430P. The hand-wound movement measures a negligible 2.1mm thick, enabling the fantastic overall thickness of only 6mm. The caliber runs at 21,600 beats per hour, which you cannot see due to the lack of a seconds hand. Cartier rates its power reserve at 43 hours. Of course, some modifications were necessary to enable the jumping hours and scrolling minute displays.

Almost a century old

The Cartier Tank à Guichets will celebrate its centennial in 2028. It is one of the many early variations on the Tank theme introduced in the early 20th century. Cartier introduced several different versions during the 1930s, only to discontinue the model for more than seven decades.

Then, in 2005, the brand revived the model. The Tank à Cuichets made a comeback in the Collection Privée Cartier Paris. The house produced 100 pieces in rose gold, only to discontinue the model once more. Now, another 20 years later, we finally see a new regular-production model added to the collection. If you ask me, this is long overdue, although good things come to those who wait.

Wearing the Cartier Tank à Guichets

Let me start with the obligatory fit on the wrist. I can only say the Cartier Tank à Guichets wears like a dream. It is a little more commanding than a large Tank Solo, which is perfect. It negates the vintage vibes a little bit, being just large enough to steer clear of appearing dainty. Paired with the narrow shape, thinness, and crown at 12, it makes for one of the most comfortable watches you can strap to your forearm.

I am completely in love with its looks. Those military associations weren’t completely random. The Cartier Tank à Guichets exudes a toughness, a certain badassery. It messes with the brain as we associate the Tank profile with refinement and subtlety. This isn’t subtle at all. It looks Spartan and tool-ish. The refinement, however, is still there. The superb finishing, sharp chamfers, and soulful colored numerals give it a civilized, even cultured appearance. The contrast between those two vibes results in conceptual friction, and that friction makes it absolutely stunning.

It also makes this watch versatile. It can elevate torn jeans and a white tee just as well as it pairs with a three-piece suit. It would be a very fancy do-it-all watch if it weren’t for the complete lack of water resistance.

Ambitiously positioned

There is another reason why using it as an everyday watch would be decadent — price. The two gold versions cost US$47,700, while the platinum model comes in at US$55,000. If you want the quirky limited edition, you have to fork over an eye-watering US$61,000.

For reference, the gold models are more expensive than the new platinum Patek Philippe 6196P Calatrava. That’s a stretch in my book. In fact, it puts a fairly big stain on what is otherwise my favorite release at this year’s Watches and Wonders. It feels unnecessarily exalted for the sake of prestige only. I would love for Cartier to drop a steel version that more average watch enthusiasts could aspire to own. Steel makes a ton of sense for the Cartier Tank à Guichets conceptually too.

Closing thoughts on the Cartier Tank à Guichets

So, in the end, I am left with some mixed feelings. On one hand, I adore the new Cartier Tank à Guichets. Simply put, I wouldn’t change a thing about it. From the design and proportions to the typography and finishing, Cartier nailed it.

On the other hand, I find releases like these feel more and more virtual. Watches like these are attainable to such a tiny group of collectors that you already know that you’ll likely never see one again. Now, when we are talking about highly complicated watches from A. Lange & Söhne, Jaeger-LeCoultre, or Laurent Ferrier, I don’t mind it as much. But when we are talking about a relatively simple time-only Cartier, it doesn’t sit as well.

Still, when I look at the Tank à Guichets in isolation, I just cannot suppress a big smirk. In my eyes, this odd casemate of a watch is just the coolest thing!

What do you think of the new Cartier Tank à Guichets? Let us know in the comments section below!