Watches & Wonders 2021: Cartier adds new life to old favourites

Cartier’s newest releases are a celebration of their iconic designs, featuring new interpretations and revivals of some old classics. Their 2021 line-up includes updates to the Ballon Bleu, Pasha and Cartier Libre collections, and new versions of Santos de Cartier and Santos-Dumont. Our favourites are modern takes on two designs from their archives – the Tank and Cloche de Cartier.

The Cartier Tank Must

As the name suggests, the Cartier Tank Must is a fusion of two of their most iconic models: the instantly-recognisable Tank and the wildly popular Must de Cartier. There are four versions of this new model, of which the standouts are the monochrome Tank Must and the Tank Must with Solarbeat Photovoltaic movement.

The monochrome Tank Must comes in three colour options with matching straps: rich burgundy, deep blue and dark green. The clean aesthetic is taken even further with a plain dial and the absence of Roman numeral hour markers, given it an ultra minimalistic look. 

More excitingly, is Cartier’s first sustainable timepiece – the Tank Must with Solarbeat Photovoltaic movement. The photovoltaic cells are charged by light that enters the case through nearly invisible perforations on the Roman numerals. This watch can run for 16 years before it needs a service. There’s more: the watch strap – available in black, blue and light green – is made out of 40% plant matter, produced from the waste from apples grown for the food industry in Switzerland, Germany and Italy. 

Cloche de Cartier

The Cloche de Cartier first appeared in 1920, named after the ‘cloche’ (bell) shape because, when placed horizontally, it resembles a service bell. It could be read on the wrist and could also be removed and placed on a table as a small clock. It is as unusual as it is rare.

The Cloche has been revived for 2021 as part of the Cartier’s Privé Collection, their platform for revisiting and rediscovering its most historically iconic designs. The new model is powered by the 1917 MC mechanical movement and is available in three case metals: yellow gold, pink gold, and platinum. Each model is numbered and limited to 100 units.

The yellow gold model comes with a golden-coloured dial, blued steel hands, and a sapphire cabochon. The pink gold model features an anthracite grey dial, matching pink gold hands, and a sapphire cabochon. The platinum model is slightly muted, with a matte dial, blued steel hands, and ruby cabochons.

Learn more about Cartier’s new watches here

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