For years Must de Cartier watches were more or less ignored by enthusiasts, but a funny thing happened on the way to obscurity โ they became collectible. This didnโt escape Cartierโs notice, and the company decided to celebrate the renewal of interest in them by releasing new Tank Must models in early 2021. There was a slew of new models with the brightly colored dials that were the signature of the original Must de Cartier Tanks, but there was also something unexpected: the Tank SolarBeat.
The heart of the SolarBeat is a new Cartier quartz movement, powered by light, which Cartier says should run for at least 16 years before its rechargeable battery needs to be replaced. The only parts of the dial which let light through to the photovoltaic cell underneath, are the numerals. This is a neat trick โ it probably doesnโt hurt that the watch only has to update the positions of the hour and minute hands, so energy costs for actually moving something are pretty low.
Aesthetically, it means that you have a dial which is indistinguishable from a traditional Tank Louis Cartier dial, right down to the secret signature.
For the full story go to: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-cartier-tank-must-solarbeat
0:00 Start
0:40 History of the Cartier Tank
1:41 The solar-powered movement
2:52 Versatility of the Cartier Tank
3:27 Value?
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34 comments
To me it's a lady watch. Just looks soooo much better on a lady's wrists.
Coming from 7/5/2024 – These Watches are Now $3,300. yeah. $3,300. no longer $2,600. lol
Thanks for your reporting ! Hope not mind for sharing ?! – Regards
I love it, but I can buy the same one from Seiko for ten percent of the price. Hard to see where the value comes in.
Was this the Large or Small model?
The really attractive element here is that it has the same size and shape as the Tank Louis โ unlike the Solo.
love the juxtaposition of the Tank with the newer tech. Cartier should rotate releasing classic styles with this movement. That would help build up the luxury and fashion aspects of it.
Precio ?๐ธ๐ธ
Priced like crazy for what you're getting.
Tank watches had to ne yellow gold for me.
Way overpriced… compared it to a reverso. No contest at all.. reverso wins hands down
Best Watch of Universe
Hodinkee sad
No date no small seconds. For me it is just like a dress watch should be. But i would like an XL model as well.
Also i would like the option of an automatic Tank with no date and seconds hand.
Will the watch be easy to service/renew battery in 16 years however? If so, kinda seems like a no brainer. No one buys a cartier tank for its movement.
Finally got one.
It looks like itโs already discontinued. No more present on Cartier website.
Reasons?
– teething issues maybe
– the battery will last 16 years …. and after 16+1
will Cattier be able to follow up with battery replacement?
Cant lie i used to hate this watch thought it was weird and old fashion cuz of the dial, but time and time again i come back to it. Finally gonna pull the trigger and get this watch, it was either this or another grand seiko but this will be my everyday as it is so versatile. Ive seen people wear this with a hoodie and sweat and it look amazingโฆ.
I donโt see this ever being effective in wartime
I love quartz and i wish more luxury watch brand take inspiration from tank quartz and make thier own luxury quartz watches. Luxury brand need to target the luxury quartz market it would make complete sense hasselfree and more sturdier moment.
So after 16 years how much will it cost to do the "big service" which includes replacing the battery?
the tank is super ! Using a two hander after a long time; dropping of the second hand seems to slow time and is more relaxing and less hectic when one looks at the watch face compared to the constantly moving second hand!
Hi,
I am curious about this piece as an everyday watch. I work in an office, but do wash dishes, clean the house, experience rain showers etc. Do you think the 30m water resistance is enough? Is the Solar movement less prone to be affected by being knocked around?
Thank you
Hot take but if a watch doesn't have a second hand it doesn't need a mechanical movement. Half the fun of a mechanical watch is watching the sweep and the other half is the heritage. On a two hander you don't have that constant reminder that the watch isn't mechanical so you can appreciate it for the craftsmanship and design.
So it can last 16 years โฆ does that mean you recharge it under the sun? Iโm so confused.
Great watch, interesting review but this watch doesn't go along with saggy jeans or hipster outfit that is shown on the picture. This timepiece represents a classic design and saying that it goes with sports wear is wrong.
Great
I'm sick of automatic watches. I want my watch to work. I don't want a fancy wind up toy. I fully embrace solar quartz! My friends hate automatic watches too…the few that wear them.
Okay. I found the perfect watch for my dad. Jlc reverso almost won. The quartz.
My dad set 3 criterias.
1. Solar powered or quartz
2. Rectangular
3. Not too big.
Iโve always had similar watches in design to the Cartier tank so itโs clear I need this in my life.
This should be a segway into presenting Seiko Astron models. These are high end finished (built quality and material, featuring zaratsu polishing like on the GS) quartz solar + gps (for precise time accuracy) movements, with very attractive sports looks, built from anything from stainless steel, to titanium and ceramics and even higher end models that feature gold and/or diamonds. They start at around 1500 usd and go all the way up to 5-6000.
When a watch doesnโt have a running seconds hand then I donโt care so much if itโs quartz or mechanical. Hope to see this in person someday.
"No longer in our inventory" – Cartier
Well its now September 30th and STILL no sign of this watch in UK. What is happening
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