A TANK IS A TANK IS A TANK IS A TANK IS A TANK
Transcription
A TANK IS A TANK IS A TANK IS A TANK IS A TANK
Archives Cartier © Cartier A TANK IS A TANK IS A TANK IS A TANK IS A TANK* The Tank watch was created in 1917 out of a vision, a solid concept that was the culmination of a lengthy process of deliberation. Here was an instrument for telling the time that completely eschewed tradition, turned custom on its head, brought modern design into the ateliers and took its place as a quintessential model for watchmaking. It was said that “a tank had stormed Cartier”. As it went on to segue between decades and straddle the century, this trailblazing watch and its revolutionary form, style and elegance were to pioneer a decisively modern lifestyle. *Gertrude Stein. Tank is a registered trademark of Cartier. 1910S 1917 BIRTH OF A LEGEND: “TANK NORMALE” WATCH S quaring the circle... In 1904, Cartier designed a watch specifically to be worn on the wrist: the very first Santos watch was a gift from Cartier to his friend the aviator Santos-Dumont, letting him easily check the time whilst in the air. Cartier soon grasped that this invention would transform the very nature of the watch and overturn the landscape of the watchmaking business. The wristwatch would become an essential accessory, as functional as it was elegant. The early years of the 20th century were dedicated to formal research into aligning the circle (of the hours) with the strap and paring down the design. The ultimate goal was seamless integration of the lugs and the case as an extension of the strap. The harmonious blending of these components made the Tank watch simultaneously square and rectangular, an ingenious feat that was the culmination of years of deliberation and heralded a new era in watchmaking. The seamless blending of the case and lugs on the “Tank Normale” signalled a unique stylistic leap forward within the field. The story goes that Louis Cartier himself modelled the design of the Tank watch on the top view of a tank: the brancards evoked the treads and the case represented the cockpit of the vehicle. The prototype of the Tank watch was designed in 1917 as WWI raged, and presented in peacetime as a gift to General John Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe. The strength of the design lay in its dramatic break with the elaborate curves fashionable at the time, and the exercise of restraint in its form. It was an instant hit, and herald of the pared-down trend: clean, crisp lines and defined shapes. The concurrent release of a jewellery version confirmed the Tank’s trailblazing credentials for both a male and female clientele, proving that freedom and elegance have no gender. Production proper of the Tank would not begin until 1919, when six models were manufactured between 15 November and 26 December; all six were sold by 17 January the following year. Tank wristwatch - Cartier, 1919 Gold Tank watch with 9-ligne mechanical movement, mounted on a leather strap. The strap lugs are incorporated seamlessly into the case by overhanging brancards on either side. The dial is in whitened silver with roman numerals. The chemin-de-fer chapter ring is set off by blued-steel Breguet hands, and the beaded winding crown is set with a sapphire cabochon. Combines all the distinguishing features of the Tank. Cartier Archives © Cartier Setting phase on a Tank Divan watch in the Cartier fine watchmaking workshops, 2003. G. Nencioli © Cartier Photograph of the Cartier boutique at 13 rue de la Paix, Paris, circa 1915. Cartier Archives © Cartier Eccentric dandy and friend of Louis Cartier Marquis Boni de Castellane, wearing a Tank watch with moiré strap. At the same time he still sports the traditional pocket watch. © Paul Nadar 1920S 1921 TANK CINTRÉE C hoosing between square and rectangle, Cartier favoured rectangle for one of its first watches, the Tank Cintrée, created in 1921. The curved form was designed to mirror the shape of the wrist. In terms of function and style, this timepiece was a precursor to the Tank Américaine watch of the 1980s. Design drawing for a watch created for Princess Mdivani, wife of Louis Van Allen, 1935. Cartier New York Archives © Cartier Tank Cintrée wristwatch - Cartier London, 1929 Manufactured by Jaeger for EWC. Cartier signature under 12 o’clock. Satined gold curved case, satined and polished gold brancards. Beaded winding crown, one sapphire cabochon. Leather strap, folding buckle in yellow and pink gold. White curved dial with illuminated Arabic numerals, inner chemin-de-fer chapter ring. Luminescent skeleton-type hands. The following inscription is engraved on the underside of the case: Felix from Fred ’29. The Tank watch bought by Fred Astaire in 1929 has been part of the the Cartier Collection since 1988. N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier 1920S 1922 TANK CHINOISE N ot for the first time – and certainly not the last – Cartier spotted inspiration in the arts of other cultures and borrowed features for use in jewellery and watchmaking. The watchmaker-jeweller was expanding its fields of interpretation and inspiration to Islamic art and India. The 1920s saw exceptionally refined objects – vanities, bracelets, powder boxes and pendants – fashioned from precious materials sourced in China and adorned with mythological motifs. The Tank Chinoise watch was created in 1922 at the height of this craze. The totally original form of the piece was inspired by the architecture of Chinese temple porticos. In counterpoint to the brancards, two horizontal bars straddle the watch face and slightly protrude on either side, mimicking the interplay of interlocking lintels left in full view. The balance of the forms shifts and re-centres on the square. In its devotion to clean, pared-down lines, Cartier saw geometry as intertwined with the perception of beauty. THE TOTALLY ORIGINAL FORM OF THE PIECE WAS INSPIRED BY THE ARCHITECTURE OF CHINESE TEMPLE PORTICOS Tank Chinoise wristwatch - Cartier, 1930 Satined and polished gold case, polished gold brancards and horizontal bars. Beaded winding crown, one sapphire cabochon. Leather strap, ardillon buckle. Cream square dial with Roman numerals, inner chemin-de-fer chapter ring. Blued-steel Breguet hands. N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier Nécessaire case, Chinese decorative motif - Cartier Paris, 1927 Onyx, gold, platinum, sapphire and emerald cabochons. Carved emerald plasma. Round 8/8-cut and rose-cut diamonds. Sculpted carved coral, coral cabochons. Red, ivory, black, green and yellow enamel. Original design. Gold interior with a mirror and lipstick case. N. Herrmann, Cartier Collection © Cartier 1920S 1922 TANK LOUIS CARTIER T he Tank Louis Cartier was an unapologetic choice of the rectangular form. The watch is distinguished by soft angles and the distinct roundness of the tops of the lugs. This piece fastidiously embodies the marked contribution made by Louis Cartier to the modern style later known as Art Deco: the proud, taught lines of the square and rectangle are softened, and the geometry of corners is relaxed. Rudolph Valentino in Son of the Sheik, a film by American director George Fitzmaurice, 1926. The actor wears a Tank watch. © United Artists Associated/Sunset Boulevard Collection Tank Louis Cartier wristwatch - Cartier, 1925. Cartier signature under 12 o’clock. Satined and polished platinum case. Beaded winding crown, one sapphire cabochon. Folding buckle in white gold. White dial with Roman numerals. Blued-steel Breguet hands. N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier Tank Louis Cartier wristwatch - Cartier Paris, 1944 Manufactured by Jaeger. Cartier signature under 12 o’clock, Swiss under 6 o’clock. Satined and polished gold case, polished gold brancards. Beaded winding crown, one sapphire cabochon. Leather strap, ardillon buckle. White rectangular dial with Roman numerals, inner chemin-de-fer chapter ring. Blued-steel bâton hands. E. Sauvage © Cartier Portrait of Louis Cartier (1875-1942) by Emile Friant. The eldest of three Cartier sons, Louis Cartier took charge of management of the boutique at rue de la Paix when it opened in 1899. Cartier Archives © Cartier 1920S 1928 TANK À GUICHETS W ith the advent of the train and automobile, speed was everything: the dial symbolised modernity. Louis Cartier based the aesthetic of the Tank à Guichets on a watchmaking complication, the jumping hour. In these perfectly pared-down watches, the glass, dial and hands were replaced by plaques pierced with apertures that displayed segments of the discs, one indicating the hours and the other minutes. Cartier played around with the layout and form of the apertures, and with the positioning (at 12 o’clock or 3 o’clock) and style of the winding mechanism: sapphire cabochon, fluted or notched and flat crown. With restraint a priority, brushed platinum or gold were generally used to give a matte appearance. American pianist, composer and conductor Duke Ellington wearing a Tank à Guichets watch. © F. Driggs Collection/Magnum Photos Tank à Guichets wristwatch - Cartier Paris, 1928 Satined and polished gold case. Notched and flat winding crown at 12 o’clock. Leather strap, folding buckle in yellow and pink gold. Time displayed through two apertures, Arabic numerals for the hours, chemin-de-fer chapter ring with every fifth numeral in Arabic numerals. N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier 1930S 1932 TANK BASCULANTE I n the design of pocket watches and wristwatches alike, watchmakers sought to protect the fragile glass component. This concern became all the more prominent in the 1930s as it became increasingly fashionable to play sports. The Tank Basculante watch created in 1932 featured a case that pivoted lengthwise within an articulated framework; the integrated winding mechanism was positioned at 12 o’clock. The time could be displayed or masked at leisure. The Tank Basculante watch incorporated a complex design, based on a series of drawings, upon a set of interlocking forms. TANK ASYMÉTRIQUE (1936) T he Tank Asymétrique watch turned the aesthetic of the early days of watchmaking on its head. The entire balance of the watch was shifted, with 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock moving into the corners and the winding mechanism placed at 2 o’clock. The watch may be taken to express the contradictions of an era, its aspirations for change or its rebellion against set rules. The 1963 version was named the Tank Oblique. Actor Gary Cooper wearing a Tank Basculante watch, circa 1940. © Rue des Archives/RDA Basculante reversible sliding watch - Cartier Paris, 1936 Cartier signature at 12 o’clock, France at 6 o’clock. Satined and polished gold rectangular case pivoting about the 6 o’clock/12 o’clock axis within a satined and polished gold frame. Notched and flat winding crown at 12 o’clock. Hooked lugs, leather strap, folding buckle in yellow and pink gold. Rectangular grained silver dial, inner chemin-de-fer chapter ring. Blued-steel Poire hands. N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier Tank Oblique wristwatch - Cartier London, 1963 Satined and polished gold case. Octagonal winding crown, one faceted sapphire. Leather strap, folding buckle in yellow and pink gold. Cream-coloured lozenge dial, rotated 45 degrees, with alternating Arabic numerals. Blued-steel bâton hands. N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier 1940S 1940 T he Tank watch acquired a prime position on the international stage with the growing influence of the silver screen in the 1940s. Countless actors, writers and artists chose to wear this watch, each in their own individual fashion, in a show of perfect elegance. ClarkAstaire Fred Gable wearing a Tank watch. © Photo Image ofDR/Sunset Clark Gable Boulevard used with Collection permission of the Estate of Clark Gable. © Collection Sunset Boulevard. 1950S 1952 TANK RECTANGLE (BROAD MODEL) T he Tank Rectangle (broad model) brought opulence to the 1950s in no uncertain terms. The generous forms of the watch, boasting a gold dial to match the gold case, manifest an unapologetically classic style. American actor Stewart Granger wearing a gold Tank Cintrée watch featuring a strap with seven interlocking rows, circa 1954. © MGM/Sunset Boulevard Collection Tank Rectangle wristwatch (broad model) - Cartier Paris, 1952 Manufactured by Jaeger. Cartier signature under 12 o’clock, Swiss Made under 6 o’clock. Satined and polished gold case, polished gold brancards. Octagonal winding crown, one faceted sapphire. Leather strap, folding buckle in yellow and pink gold. Rectangular satined gold dial with Roman numerals, inner chemin-de-fer chapter ring. Gold-plated bâton hands. N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier 1960S 1960 MINI TANK ALLONGÉE T he Tank watch underwent a makeover in the 1960s and was given smaller, feminine cases. The dainty Tank Allongée took pride of place, and the range expanded to include the Mini Tank Louis Cartier. The brancards of the small Tank Allongée and Mini Tank were set with diamonds, honouring the jewellery variations embarked upon by Louis Cartier in the 1920s. THE SMALL TANK ALLONGÉE AND MINI TANK WERE SET WITH DIAMONDS Tank Allongée wristwatch - Cartier London, 1974 Cartier signature at 12 o’clock, London under 6 o’clock. Satined and polished gold case, polished gold brancards. Beaded winding crown, one sapphire cabochon. Leather strap, ardillon buckle. Cream rectangular dial with Roman numerals. Blued-steel bâton hands. Archived at Cartier under the name Elongated JJC Tank; JJC are the initials of Jean-Jacques Cartier, son of Jacques Cartier. N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier Tank Allongée wristwatch - Cartier London, 1974 Cartier signature at 12 o’clock, London under 6 o’clock. Satined and polished gold case, polished gold brancards. Beaded winding crown, one sapphire cabochon. Leather strap, ardillon buckle. Cream rectangular dial with Roman numerals. Blued-steel bâton hands. Archived at Cartier under the name Elongated JJC Tank; JJC are the initials of Jean-Jacques Cartier, son of Jacques Cartier. E. Sauvage © Cartier Yves Montand and Simone Signoret on the beach at La Baule, 1959. © Keystone-France 1970S 1977 TANK MUST DE CARTIER VERMILION AND BURGUNDY DIAL T he 1970s saw Cartier infuse its timepiece collection with modernity and elegance. In 1972, the spotlight was placed on the Louis Cartier range with new solid gold watches fitted with leather straps. In 1977, at the height of Must de Cartier period, a new collection of vermilion watches paid tribute to the form of the Tank Louis Cartier. Solid dials stripped of numerals were steeped in understated tones, evoking the precious materials of the world of jewellery: onyx, coral, ivory, lapis lazuli, tortoiseshell and garnet. Yet in spite of these exciting new choices of colours and materials, these pieces remained faithful to the spirit of the Tank Louis Cartier watch. In a final flourish of glittering refinement, the crown was adorned with a sapphire cabochon. An instant hit all over the world, this collection enjoyed unrivalled success. Andy Warhol, serious collector of Tank watches. © Arnold Newman/Getty Images Tank Must de Cartier wristwatch - Cartier, 1977 Must de Cartier signature at 12 o’clock, intertwined double C and Swiss at 6 o’clock. Satined and polished vermilion case, polished vermilion brancards. Beaded winding crown, one blue spinel cabochon. Leather strap, folding buckle. Rectangular coral-coloured lacquer dial. Gold bâton hands. N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier Montre-bracelet Tank Must de Cartier - Cartier, 1977 Must de Cartier signature at 12 o’clock, intertwined double C and Swiss at 6 o’clock. Satined and polished vermilion case, polished vermilion brancards. Beaded winding crown, one blue spinel cabochon. Leather strap, folding buckle. Rectangular coral-coloured lacquer dial. Gold bâton hands. N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier 1980S 1980 TANK AMÉRICAINE D esigned in 1987 and launched in 1989, the Tank Américaine watch followed in the footsteps of the Tank Cintrée, borrowing its curved case while updating the design with a more compact rectangular form and rounded brancards. A wonder of watchmaking craft and style, this watch takes a playful approach to geometry, alternately decisive and gentle, with straight lines and curves, round edges and angles. The Tank Américaine was the first Cartier watch to offer a curved water-resistant case. This solid, generous watch is unapologetically beautiful. Another feature was the new folding buckle that allowed the strap length to be precisely adjusted to the wrist size, replacing the mechanism employed by Cartier since 1910. The power and elegance of its elongated, slightly arched form made this watch a classic. In its display of strength, the piece may be considered a tribute to the Tank watch presented to General Pershing. César wearing a Tank Américaine watch. “I like wearing my Tank, I’d feel completely naked without it. This watch has a physical, sensual, and most importantly tactile dimension. I’m always touching it, playing with it, without even looking at it, I look at it with my fingers.” © Arnaud Baumann Tank Américaine wristwatch - Cartier, 1993 Cartier signature under 12 o’clock, Swiss under 6 o’clock. Curved satined gold case, satined and polished gold brancards, water-resistant to 30 metres. Octagonal winding crown, one faceted sapphire. Leather strap, ardillon buckle. White curved rectangular dial with Roman numerals, Cartier secret signature hidden in one stroke of the VII, inner chemin-de-fer chapter ring. Blued-steel bâton hands. N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier 1990S 1996 TANK FRANÇAISE T he Tank Française watch, launched in 1996, updated the classic Tank legacy of the parallel-set lateral brancards, Roman numeral dial, chemin-de-fer chapter ring, bâton hands, and a fluted winding crown decorated with a sapphire cabochon. In a bold departure, the curved case was set in a chain-link bracelet. Featuring bevelled brancards, concave curved links and a curved form, the case and bracelet blend into a single continuous entity, seamlessly merging line, volume and material. The chosen finishes toughen the lines of the watch, creating an all-new Tank. The shape and corrugated edges of the bracelet recall the design of the treads of armoured tanks. As functional as it was stylish, boasting seamless lines, this archetypal wristwatch was a true feat of design. Setting phase on a Tank Française Rivière watch in the workshop, 1996. © M. Feinberg/ABC Tank Française wristwatch, small model - Cartier, 1995 Cartier signature under 12 o’clock, Swiss Made under 6 o’clock. Curved satined and polished gold case, polished gold brancards, water-resistant to 30 metres. Octagonal winding crown, one sapphire cabochon. Polished gold chain-link bracelet, triple folding buckle in yellow and pink gold. Square grained silver dial with Roman numerals, Cartier secret signature hidden in one stroke of the X, inner chemin-de-fer chapter ring. Blued-steel bâton hands. N. Welsh, Cartier Collection © Cartier "If all tanks were made by Cartier, we would have time to live in peace!” French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac’s tribute to the Tank watch in Le Figaro Madame in 1994. Tank Française wristwatch, small model - Cartier, 1995 Cartier signature under 12 o’clock, Swiss Made under 6 o’clock. Curved satined and polished gold case, polished gold brancards, water-resistant to 30 metres. Octagonal winding crown, one sapphire cabochon. Polished gold chain-link bracelet, triple folding buckle in yellow and pink gold. Square grained silver dial with Roman numerals, Cartier secret signature hidden in one stroke of the X, inner chemin-de-fer chapter ring. Blued-steel bâton hands. E. Sauvage © Cartier 2000S 1910S 1910S 1917 1917 2002 BIRTH BIRTHOFOFAALEGEND: LEGEND:“TANK NORMALE” WATCH “TANK NORMALE” WATCH SS quaring quaring thethe circle... circle... InIn 1904, 1904, Cartier Cartier designed designed a watch a watch specifically specifically to to bebe worn worn onon thethe wrist: wrist: thethe very very first first Santos Santos watch watch was was a gift a gift from from Cartier Cartier to to hishis friend friend thethe aviator aviator Santos-Dumont, Santos-Dumont, letting letting him him easily easily check check thethe time time whilst whilst in in thethe air.air. Cartier Cartier soon soon grasped grasped that that this this invention invention would would transform transform thethe very very nature nature ofof thethe watch watch and and overturn overturn thethe landscape landscape ofof thethe watchmaking watchmaking business. business. The The wristwatch wristwatch would would become become anan essential essential accessory, accessory, asas functional functional asas it was it was elegant. elegant. TANK DIVAN The The early early years years ofof thethe 20th 20th century century were were dedicated dedicated toto formal formal research research into into aligning aligning thethe circle circle (of(ofthethehours) hours) with with thethestrap strapand and paring paring downthe thedesign. design. Theultimate ultimategoal goalwas wasseamless seamless artier celebrated the yeardown 2000 with the The integration integration of of thethe lugs lugs and thethe case case as as anan extension extension ofof thethe strap. strap. The The harmonious harmonious blending blending launch of aand new watch that made space for ofof these these components components made made thethe Tank Tank watch watch simultaneously simultaneously square square and and rectangular, rectangular, anan ingenious ingenious time. The Tank Divan watch stretches to feat feat that that was was the the culmination culmination of of years years of of deliberation deliberation and and heralded heralded a new a new era era in in watchmaking. watchmaking. make room for a new balance: the dial sprawls C toward the sides and the Roman numerals are The The seamless seamless blending blending ofof thethe case case and and lugs lugs onon thethe “Tank “Tank Normale” Normale” signalled signalled a unique a unique stylistic stylistic elongated with contained extravagance. leap leap forward forward within within thethe field. field. The The story story goes goes that that Louis Louis Cartier Cartier himself himself modelled modelled thethe design design ofof the the Tank Tank watch watch on on the the top top view view of of a tank: a tank: the the brancards brancards evoked evoked the the treads treads and and the the case case The watch is classic in terms of its rectangular dial, represented represented thethe cockpit cockpit ofof thethe vehicle. vehicle. broad strap and Roman numerals. Bold design The The prototype prototype of of the the Tank Tank watch watch was was designed designed inin1917 1917asasWWI WWIraged, raged,and andpresented presentedinin choices prove a winning formula for deliberate peacetime peacetime asasa agift gifttotoGeneral GeneralJohn JohnPershing, Pershing,Commander CommanderofofthetheAmerican AmericanExpeditionary Expeditionary offbeat elegance. Force Force in in Europe. Europe. The The strength strength ofof thethe design design laylay in in itsits dramatic dramatic break break with with thethe elaborate elaborate curves curves fashionable fashionableat atthe thetime, time,and andthe theexercise exerciseofofrestraint restraintininitsitsform. form.It Itwas wasananinstant instanthit, hit, and and herald herald ofof thethe pared-down pared-down trend: trend: clean, clean, crisp crisp lines lines and and defined defined shapes. shapes. The Theconcurrent concurrentrelease releaseofofa ajewellery jewelleryversion versionconfirmed confirmedthetheTank’s Tank’strailblazing trailblazingcredentials credentials forforboth botha amale maleand andfemale femaleclientele, clientele,proving provingthat thatfreedom freedomand andelegance elegancehave havenonogender. gender. Production Production proper proper ofof thethe Tank Tank would would not not begin begin until until 1919, 1919, when when sixsix models models were were manufactured manufactured between between 1515 November November and and 2626 December; December; allall sixsix were were sold sold byby 1717 January January thethe following following year. year. Tank Tank wristwatch wristwatch Cartier, - Cartier, 1919 1919 Montre Tank- Divan, large model - Cartier, 2003 Gold Gold Tank Tank watch with with 9-ligne 9-ligne mechanical movement, movement, mounted mounted on sapphire on a leather a leather strap. strap. The The strap strap lugslugs are are incorporated incorporated seamlessly intointo the the casecase by by Case inwatch 18-carat yellow gold.mechanical Facetted crown in yellow gold with cabochon. Matte brown alligator-skin strap.seamlessly Ardillon buckle in yellow gold. overhanging overhanging brancards on either either side. side. TheBlued-steel The dialdial is inis whitened in whitened silver silver with with roman roman numerals. numerals. TheThe chemin-de-fer chemin-de-fer chapter chapter ringring set is feet set off off blued-steel blued-steel Guillochébrancards dial with on Roman numerals. bâton hands. Scratch-proof sapphire crystal. Water-resistance: 30 metres /is100 /by3 by bars. Breguet Breguet hands, hands, and and the the beaded beaded winding winding crown crown is set is set with with a sapphire a and sapphire cabochon. cabochon. Combines Combines all the all the distinguishing distinguishing features features of the of the Tank. Tank. Self-winding movement, calibre Cartier 120, hours, minutes seconds functions. Cartier Cartier Archives © Cartier Cartier © Cartier J.L Archives Drigout © Setting Setting phase phase on on a Tank a Tank Divan Divan watch watch in the in the Cartier Cartier finefine watchmaking watchmaking workshops, workshops, 2003. 2003. G. Nencioli G. Nencioli © Cartier © Cartier 2012