Watches & Wonders 2021: Cartier Tank Must Is Back!
As one of the most recognizable luxury watches, the Cartier Tank’s sleek design adorns the wrists of many of this French Maison’s followers. Today, Cartier revealed the return of the legend — let’s give a warm welcome to the Cartier Tank Must!
In the 1970s, Cartier created a new line of watches: Must de Cartier. The original Must was controversial yet legendary. While its form paid homage to the original Tank Louis Cartier, the material used for the case and bracelet sent shockwaves through the industry, attracting a whole new clientele to the brand’s door. Why? For the first time ever, Cartier did not use precious metals for the case. The Must de Cartier was an affordable turning point for the luxury jeweler, so often seen as the preserve of the rich and famous. Early models were made from gold-capped silver with steel variants emerging around the same time. When I found out that an updated version was slated for release this year, I was over the moon.
The Cartier Tank Must
In terms of design, the new Cartier Tank Must combines what we love the most about two iconic models: the Tank and the Must. This line emphasizes mostly the refined minimalism of Tank Louis Cartier. Slightly rounded edges soften the case silhouette. The watch is available in three different sizes: extra-large, large, and small (don’t ask what happened to the medium version… It must have overslept the launch date).
The stainless steel models naturally refer to the very first Must through small details such as new dial proportions, a crown with a blue synthetic spinel cabochon, and, of course, a traditional ardillon buckle. When it comes to movements, the extra-large version features the self-winding 1847 MC with central seconds and date. Meanwhile, the large and small models house quartz movements. The prices are ranging from €2,070 to €3,250.
The Tank Must & The QuickSwitch
As bracelets are important to Cartier, the new Must is accompanied by leather straps or steel bracelets with more curved links. This time, the French brand decided to opt for the QuickSwitch — an interchangeable strap/bracelet system. In my opinion, especially for women, swapping straps easily from one to the other is extremely important.
Building The Future
Cartier has also released a range of watches powered by SolarBeat Photovoltaic Movements. I love the idea of changing the watch industry to a more sustainable sector. The photovoltaic cells charge the movement when exposed to light. So where are these obtrusive solar panels, I hear you ask? Get that dial under a loupe and take a look at the Roman Numerals — they are hidden there! The lifespan of the SolarBeat movement is 16 years, which is a pretty tasty (and responsible) service interval, if you ask me!
More Than This
But the SolarBeat movement is not the only innovation here. Cartier uses plants to produce the straps. Frankly, I had the opportunity to compare the classic model with this innovative one. First note; the high quality has been preserved. Second note: you will not be able to feel the difference.
The plant strap is soft and pleasant like the leather one with the difference that the plant strap is cruelty-free. Another point, in producing this watch, Cartier has reduced its carbon footprint six times over, saved up to 10 liters of water, and up to seven megajoules of energy. The SolarBeat Must comes with two case sizes and 3 different strap colors. The prices are varied, ranging from €2,070 to €2,180.
The 2021 Monochromes
At the time of the original release, the monochromatic models with a gold-plated finish were very popular. Today, Cartier shows us three new models with a nod to the brand’s rich past. The minimalistic version of its elder sister features different variations: burgundy, blue, and green. All of them are equipped with quartz movement. The retail price for each monochromatic model is €2,280.
I have to say 2021 is looking like a very strong year for Cartier. With these new releases and increased focus on sustainability, Cartier is making strides in the race to attract environmentally-conscious luxury consumers, especially given that Millennials and Generation Z seem more likely to choose brands aligned with their values. What do you think? Does Sustainable Luxury matter to you? To get more information about the Cartier Tank Must, visit the Cartier website.
