Introducing: The Return Of The Cartier Tank Guichets

March 31, 2025

Cartier Priv is reviving the Tank Guichets C a seldom-seen but much-beloved version of the iconic model that was first seen by the brand in 1928. Imagine how futuristic a watch would have been to have a digital time display, visible through small apertures on the dial, and coming only seven years after the official launch of the Tank Normale in 1919. Today, the tough, brutal design is brought back in two styles C one true to the original design and another limited edition reinterpretation. Above is the limited edition release, a platinum case measuring 37.6 x 24.8 mm and only 6mm thick, just like the rest of the releases this year, and with the crown at 12 o'clock, like the model launched in 1928. But the new model, limited to 200 pieces, which I'm nicknaming the Tank Guichets Oblique or Tank Guichets Driver, features the jumping hour aperture at 10 o'clock and rotated 90o counter-clockwise with the wandering hour rotated and shown at 4 o'clock, giving a driver-style layout to the watch. The other models in yellow gold, rose gold, and platinum feature the same movement C a new hand-wound 9755 MC jump hour caliber C and dimensions, but with a more traditional Tank Guichet layout, with hours at 12 o'clock and trailing minutes at 6 o'clock. The gold versions feature black numerals and tracks, while the platinum (both limited and not) feature maroon lettering. Cartier has not listed any limited edition numbers for these other pieces, but I expect they'll be limited in production. Pricing has not been given. What We Think For many Cartier Tank lovers, the Tank Guichets is the last and rare level of collecting to try to achieve aside from unique pieces. Examples are rare. Originals were made as one-offs through the 1930s. In 1996, three examples were made in yellow, rose, and platinum for Antiquorum's "Magical Art of Cartier" sale and featured the crown at 12 o'clock (like the originals), with cuts in the case following the lines of the lugs to form the shape of the brancards. In 1997, for Cartier's 150th anniversary, the brand released a 150-piece limited edition in platinum, but this time, the crown had been moved to 3 o'clock, changing the watches' sleek design. That design was returned in 2005 as a part of Collection Prive Cartier Paris, with a limited series of 100 pieces in rose gold. The return to the original "crown at 12" design is the perfect reason to revisit the model. The clunky crown at 3 o'clock was never my favorite, and unless you're hunting that 1997 Art of Cartier version, you've basically been stuck with the latter design as the only option. I've got mixed feelings about the oblique. It doesn't do much for me, but it will inevitably be picked up quickly by Cartier collectors, who rightfully could view it as an evolution of Cartier's avant-garde nature in the 1920s.?The measurements, on the other hand, look downright fantastic. I'm curious about the case, lacking cuts for the brancards with the now fully brushed front and polish on the chamfers, versus the 1928 model. But I know a few people who have owned early examples that had varied case designs. Maybe Cartier will let me see the original watch myself so I can have a better judgement. Stay tuned for more over the coming days from Watches and Wonders C you can follow all of the show's new releases right here. The Basics Brand: CartierModel: Tank GuichetsReference Number: WGTA0234 (yellow gold), WGTA0235 (rose gold), WGTA0236 (platinum), WGTA0237 (platinum limited edition)Diameter: 37.6 x 24.8 mmThickness: 6mmCase Material: Yellow gold, rose gold, or platinumDial Color: White discs visible through aperturesLume: NoneWater Resistance: NoneStrap/Bracelet: Green, dark grey, burgundy, or black alligator straps (respective to models in sequence above) The Movement Caliber: 9755 MCFunctions: Digital display of hours and minutesWinding: Manual with the crown at 12 o'clock Pricing & Availability Price: Not shared yetAvailability: Immediately at Cartier boutiquesLimited Edition: The "oblique" model in platinum with 10 o'clock hour aperture is limited to 200 pieces.For more, click here.