The Cartier Tank Must Collection
The original Tank collection by Cartier was created in 1917, when Louis Cartier took inspiration from Renault tanks, which he saw in use on the Western Front during the First World War. The influence can be seen on the watch cases, specifically on the vertical sidebars, which are known within the collection as ‘brancards’.
The Tank has seen many changes over the years, with multiple ranges within the collection being introduced including the Tank Americaine, the Tank Francaise, and of course, the Tank Must.
The Tank Must was first introduced in the late 1970s and was named as such after Cartier decided that they had to tempt their customers with the best, “must-have” accessories in order to advance as a brand and define themselves as quality, reliable watch makers.
In 1977, the first Cartier Tank Must watch sold and from there on, the company flourished. They raised annual sales from 3,000 to 160,000 watches after the introduction of this range. Clearly, the Tank Must was a hit and Cartier quickly became one of the most influential and sought-after watch brands in the world.
We are proud to stock such a prestigious brand here at Banks Lyon – that is why today we’re showing off some of the Tank Must watches we have on sale on your website and in our stunning showrooms. Let’s take a look.