Cartier has introduced a new updated Tank à Guichets to their Privé collection. First introduced in 1928, those who have had any exposure to jump hours of this period may be familiar with other similar rectangular-cased Art Deco-inspired models of the period. They were characterised by solid dial sides (usually but not exclusively just polished) and small apertures showing the hour, minutes and maybe the seconds as well. The most well-known exemplars of this style were made by Rolex and Cartier.

The chance of Rolex reviving such a style is zero, but Cartier have (once again) taken the plunge, with the release of four models, three being launched as non-limited editions in design but different case material, and a fourth limited edition with a different aperture design.

This marks the first appearance of the Tank à Guichets since a Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) version twenty years ago. Measuring 37mm x 26mm, the Ref. 2817 was a limited edition of one hundred pieces in a brushed 18k rose gold case with a blue cabochon in an octagonal crown and powered by the 9752 MC manually-wound 9752 MC movement (made for them by Piaget based on a Piaget ébauche). Prior to this, they were only seen in other small limited editions, such as 150 in platinum for Cartier’s sesquicentenary in 1997, in the same sized case and using the same movement. If you see one ‘in the metal’, it is an unusual event.

Now, the latest iteration has a brand new movement, the manually-wound 9755 MC, in a case measuring 37.6mm x 24.8mm (thickness of 6mm). In yellow gold, rose gold, or platinum, the case is brushed, with polished edges. The crown is recessed at the top of the case.

For the three regular models, the curved minutes aperture is at the bottom of the dial and the hours in a small window at the top. The limited edition model has an asymmetrical format. All the windows are bevelled.

As mentioned, the 2025 Tank à Guichets is powered by a new movement. Made for this model, it beats at 21,600VPH and has a power reserve of 43 hours.

There is no price available yet for either the limited or unlimited models. This has always been a niche-interest model, and the general design, even more of a niche interest, so to introduce them and 1920s jump hours to a new generation of watch people can only be a good thing.

[Photo credit: Cartier]

Categories: Cartier, Limited Editions, Watch Profile, watches, Watches & Wonders Geneva 2025, Women's watches