Cartier’s iconic rectangular watch introduced in 1917 is called the Tank.
Louis Cartier created the design in 1917, drawing inspiration from the newly seen Renault tanks used on the Western Front during World War I. Its case translated the visual language of a tank into a wristwatch: the long vertical sidebars, known as brancards, resemble continuous tracks, while the central case forms the vehicle’s body. Cartier presented an early prototype to General John J. Pershing.
The dates can cause confusion. The watch was created in 1917, publicly introduced in 1918, and entered full production in 1919, when Cartier reportedly made six pieces. That is why references may attach more than one early date to the model, even though “Tank” remains the single canonical answer to the question.
Its signature details include Roman numerals, a chemin de fer minute track, blued-steel sword hands, and a crown topped with a sapphire cabochon. Later families included the Tank Louis, Tank Américaine, and Tank Française.