The vintage Tank despite being made exclusively for women is quite interesting. The feel of the dial, the font as even the print especially around the ‘30s to ‘40s are completely different from those nowadays.

The big differences with the modern Tank are that Cartier’s famous hidden character inscribed at 10 o’clock has gone, and the 6 o’clock SWISS MADE notation has become PARIS. As it get older, it’s inscribed in the very centre with FRANCE and there are ones inscribed with LONDON too. Of course, the case shape is also quite different.

This is a yellow gold Tank made in 1970, inscribed with PARIS and no hidden characters. The case shape and watch hands are slightly different although close in atmosphere to the modern model around this time. Are there models similar to this that are as mature, easy to purchase, and as easy to find in the market place?

The cheaper gold-plated silver case Cartier Must de Tank model from the ‘70s and ‘80s was a real hit with a history of suddenly increased production, but even the yellow gold case model is good.

 

This unusual specimen from 1963 is also in wonderful condition. Watch hands are especially good. It has real character.

 

 

This model is called ‘Tank Chinoise’ from the ‘30s, and seems to incorporate an oriental flavour in vogue at the time into the case design. The central FRANCE inscription has a similar character to it.

Again, this is a Chinoise from the ‘30s.

 

 

Jacqueline Kennedy’s recently auctioned Tank was made in 1962, however, if pushed I would say the dial was more like a design from the ‘30s to ‘40s. Although the one I saw was real, the apparent case volume, the overall size and dial balance were the finest. This has straight hands, and the handwritten-like dial was good.

 

This is also said to be one of the original Tanks models manufactured in the 1920s. Simple and classic.

This model inscribed with LONDON is from the ‘60s, and the dial has also changed considerably.

 

 

This rare model from the ‘30s is called Tank Obus. The hour hand is long and the FRANCE inscription gives it a vintage quality.

 

 

CARTIER TANK OBUS, 1930

 

 

One of the attractions may be that there are countless other variations with a dial and detailed spec such as this. In the future, the price for women’s watches might even go up.