WSTA0041
CurrentTank Must Steel Automatic
2021 — present
31mm × 41mm steel with Calibre 1847 MC automatic. Most accessible automatic Tank.
Case: Stainless Steel
The Cartier Tank is one of the most copied and celebrated watch designs in history. Louis Cartier created it in 1917, inspired by the aerial view of a Renault FT-17 tank on the Western Front — its parallel brancards (side rails) suggesting tank tracks, its rectangular case the body of the vehicle. Andy Warhol wore a Tank. Princess Diana, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, and Michelle Obama have all been photographed wearing Tanks. The Tank has been worn by every generation of cultural tastemakers since its introduction, and remains as relevant today as it was a century ago. The Tank family encompasses several distinct silhouettes: the Tank Must (WSTA0040, WSTA0041) with its rectangular case and automatic or quartz movement; the Tank Américaine with its curved case following the wrist; the Tank Louis Cartier in its purest form; and the Tank Française with its integrated bracelet. The current Tank Must in steel with automatic movement (WSTA0041) has become one of the most popular luxury watches of the 2020s, worn across fashion, business, and cultural contexts with equal ease.
Key References
WSTA0041WSTA0040CRWTA0046WGTA0053W1529756
100%
Authenticated
5,000+
Pieces Sold
25+
Countries
Specifications
Tank Technical Specifications
| Movement | Calibre 1847 MC (automatic) · Calibre SRC 150 (quartz) · Cartier Manufacture 430 MC (manual hand-wound) |
|---|---|
| Power reserve | 42 hours (1847 MC) · 5 years (quartz) |
| Water resistance | 30 metres |
| Case material | Stainless Steel · 18ct Yellow Gold · 18ct Rose Gold · 18ct White Gold |
| Case diameter | Varies by reference: 33mm × 25mm to 47mm × 35mm |
| Thickness | 5.7mm (Tank Must) – 9.5mm (Tank Cintrée) |
| Lug-to-lug | varies by reference |
| Weight | Varies |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Bezel | Smooth (most refs) · Diamond-set (luxury variants) |
| Bracelet | Leather strap with deployant clasp · Steel bracelet (some refs) |
Reference Guide
Tank References Explained
WSTA0040
CurrentTank Must Steel Quartz
2021 — present
29.5mm × 25.5mm steel quartz Tank — ultra-thin, ideal for everyday formal wear.
Case: Stainless Steel
CRWTA0046
CurrentTank Louis Cartier Yellow Gold
Current
29.5mm × 25.5mm 18ct yellow gold with hand-wound movement. Classic dress Tank.
Case: 18ct Yellow Gold
WGTA0053
CurrentTank Américaine Steel
2023 — present
Curved Américaine case with automatic movement. Modern interpretation of the 1989 design.
Case: Stainless Steel
WJTA0024
CurrentTank Française Steel
2023 — present
Modern reinterpretation of the iconic Tank Française with integrated metal bracelet.
Case: Stainless Steel
WGTA0098
DiscontinuedTank Normale Yellow Gold (Privé Collection)
2023 — limited edition
Reissue of the 1919 Tank Normale in 18ct yellow gold under Privé collection.
Case: 18ct Yellow Gold
W1529756
DiscontinuedTank Cintrée Yellow Gold (Privé)
2018 — limited
Curved Cintrée Privé reissue in 18ct yellow gold. 100 pieces per metal.
Case: 18ct Yellow Gold
Market Price
What does a Tank cost?
Current retail (WSTA0041 Tank Must Auto)
~$3,750
Pre-owned (low)
$3,200
Pre-owned (high)
$25,000
Recently observed
Tank Must Auto WSTA0041 trades $3,200–$4,200 with full set; quartz WSTA0040 at $2,500–$3,200. Tank Louis Cartier yellow gold $8,500–$12,000.
Tank Américaine WGTA0053 at $4,500–$6,000. Vintage Tank references command $5,000–$25,000 for clean examples. Privé limited editions $20,000–$80,000+.
History
Tank Through the Years
1917
Louis Cartier designs the Tank, inspired by Renault FT-17 tanks viewed from above on the Western Front.
1919
Tank Normale enters production.
1921
Tank Cintrée launches with curved case.
1922
Tank Louis Cartier — the slimmer, more refined version.
1932
Tank Basculante — reversible Tank pre-dating the Reverso concept.
1989
Tank Américaine launches with curved case for wrist contour.
1996
Tank Française with integrated metal bracelet.
2017
Tank Cintrée 100th anniversary Privé reissue.
2021
Tank Must modernised with Calibre 1847 MC automatic and quartz options.
2023
Tank Normale Privé reissue and modern Tank Française relaunch.
Buying Guide
How to buy a pre-owned Tank
01
Tank Must Auto is the modern collector's choice
The WSTA0041 with automatic Calibre 1847 MC offers genuine mechanical satisfaction at $3,200–$4,200 pre-owned — the best value in modern Tank ownership. The quartz WSTA0040 is more affordable but appeals less to mechanical watch enthusiasts.
02
Vintage Tank requires careful authentication
The vintage Tank market — particularly Tank Louis Cartier and Tank Cintrée from the 1970s–80s — is rich in opportunity but full of franken-watches. Always require photos under raking light, original case-back stamps, and movement provenance. We can verify authenticity through Cartier's archive.
03
Privé reissues are a separate market
Cartier Privé limited editions (Tank Normale 2023, Tank Cintrée 2018) trade in a small specialist market. Production numbers are typically 100 per metal. These are bought primarily by serious Cartier collectors and trade at significant premiums to historical retail.
Sizing
Will the Tank fit your wrist?
Tank dimensions vary dramatically by reference. Tank Must (31×41mm) suits virtually any wrist. Tank Louis Cartier (29.5×25.5mm) is petite — historically correct for a dress watch. Tank Américaine (curved, 27.5×46mm) wears longer than its dimensions suggest. The slim profiles (5.7–9.5mm) mean any Tank slips easily under shirt cuffs.
Compare
Tank vs. its siblings
vs. Santos
Santos is Cartier's square-case sport-utility watch with bracelet. Tank is the rectangular dress watch — different shape, different use case. Many collectors own both for the full spectrum.
vs. Ballon Bleu
Ballon Bleu is the modern Cartier round-case watch with floating crown. Tank is the historic rectangular icon. Both serve dress-watch needs in different aesthetics.
vs. Panthere
Panthère is the integrated bracelet jewellery-watch. Tank is the leather-strap dress watch. Different categories within Cartier's catalogue.
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Common Questions
Tank — Frequently Asked Questions
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