Cartier Tank Francaise Chronoreflex Steel Watch Quartz W51001Q3 2303
About the Item
- Creator:
- Design:
- Case Material:
- Movement:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:2000's
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. The watch is in excellent like new condition and comes with one year warranty.
- Seller Location:Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
- Reference Number:
Tank Française Watch
Designed in 1916 by Louis Cartier (1875–1942) — the grandson of Cartier founder Louis-François Cartier — the Tank watch, like few other wristwatches, has seen consistent success since its inception. A variation of the original called the Tank Française watch debuted in 1996 — a modern interpretation of the design that launched the line. Today, the Française is the most popular watch in the series.
Named as a tribute to the formidable Renault tanks that Louis Cartier observed on the Western Front during the first World War — the case was in itself intended to evoke a tank’s cockpit, while the rectangular brancards visually resemble the armored vehicle’s treads — Cartier’s original Tank watch was conceived as a gift from Louis to General John Pershing of the American Expeditionary Force that was stationed in Europe. In 1919, the design entered its first full year of production but was limited to just six watches, and for many years, Cartier manufactured less than 100 of the model annually.
Wholly rare and wonderfully unadorned, the Tank was an instant hit upon its debut (even as Cartier worried about marketing the piece to men and convincing them to ditch their beloved pocket watches). Subsequent variations, which include the admired Tank Chinoise, Tank Louis Cartier, Tank à Guichets and Tank Obus, are revered by watch lovers the world over, but the Tank Française is widely considered to be the pinnacle of contemporary Tank design. Princess Diana owned an all-gold Française, while former First Lady Michelle Obama was photographed for her official White House portrait with the stainless-steel version on her wrist.
Similar to the Panthère de Cartier watch, the Française was the first of the Cartier Tank series to have a chain-link bracelet — a prominent modification in lieu of the rest of the series’ leather straps. The collection’s characteristic black Roman numerals and sword-shaped hands remained intact for the Française, but the case is more square-shaped than the overtly rectangular original.
While it’s true that the Tank Française introduced a casual and more modern aesthetic to the French classic — and you might instead reach for your Panthère rather than your Tank Française to complement formal wear for a fancy cocktail party — this addition to the Tank series retains all of the elegance and sophistication of the original, sporty or not. It’s available with or without diamonds in stainless steel, yellow or pink gold and in a two-toned edition that features accents of both.
Cartier
For its extraordinary range of bracelets, watches, rings and other adornments, French luxury house Cartier is undeniably one of the most well known and internationally revered jewelers in the world among clients both existing and aspirational.
Perhaps 1847 was not the ideal time to open a new watchmaking and jewelry business, as the French Revolution was not kind to the aristocracy who could afford such luxuries. Nevertheless, it was the year Louis-François Cartier (1819–1904) — who was born into poverty — founded his eponymous empire, assuming control of the workshop of watchmaker Adolphe Picard, under whom he had previously been employed as an assistant. Of course, in the beginning, it was a relatively modest affair, but by the late 1850s, Cartier had its first royal client, Princess Mathilde Bonaparte, niece of Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned the jeweler to design brooches, earrings and other accessories.
Under the leadership of Louis-François’s son, Alfred, who took over in 1874, business boomed. Royalty around the world wore Cartier pieces, including Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, the Maharaja of Patiala and King Edward VII, who had 27 tiaras made by the jewelry house for his coronation in 1902 and issued Cartier a royal warrant in 1904. (Today, the British royal family still dons Cartier pieces; Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, regularly sports a Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch.)
Cartier’s golden years, however, began when Alfred introduced his three sons, Louis, Pierre and Jacques, to the business. The brothers expanded Cartier globally: Louis reigned in Paris, Pierre in New York and Jacques in London, ensuring their brand’s consistency at their branches across the world. The trio also brought in such talents as Charles Jacqueau and Jeanne Toussaint.
One of Cartier’s earliest major successes was the Santos de Cartier watch — one of the world's first modern wristwatches for men. (Previously, a large number of people were using only pocket watches.) Louis designed the timepiece in 1904 for his friend, popular Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to be able to check the time more easily while flying.
Cartier’s other famous timepieces include the Tank watch, which was inspired by the linear form of military tanks during World War I, and the so-called mystery clocks. Invented by watchmaker and magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin and later crafted exclusively for Cartier in the house’s workshop by watchmaker Maurice Couët, the mystery clocks were so named because the integration of glass dials on which the clocks’ hands would seemingly float as well as structures that are hidden away within the base give the illusion that they operate without machinery.
On the jewelry side of the business, Cartier’s internationally renowned offerings include the Tutti Frutti collection, which featured colorful carved gemstones inspired by Jacques’s trip to India and grew in popularity during the Art Deco years; the panthère motif, which has been incorporated into everything from brooches to rings; and the Love bracelet, a minimal, modernist locking bangle inspired by medieval chastity belts that transformed fine jewelry.
While the Cartier family sold the business following the death of Pierre in 1964, the brand continues to innovate today, renewing old hits and creating new masterpieces.
Find contemporary and vintage Cartier watches, engagement rings, necklaces and other accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Pre-Owned Cartier Cougar Watch All Stainless Steel Quartz, DateBy CartierLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAPre-owned Cartier Cougar designed in stainless steel. The watch is both polished and brushed, on a bracelet with a hidden double deployant buckle. Battery powered movement, roman num...Category
20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsStainless Steel, Steel
- Pre-Owned Cartier Santos Ronde Chronoreflex Boutique Exclusive Diamond WatchBy CartierLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAPre-Owned Cartier Santos Ronde Chronoreflex Boutique Exclusive Diamond Watch Reference no: 1530 Movement: quartz chronoreflex battery Case material: solid 18k yellow gold Condition:...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Small Divan Mother of Pearl Dial Pink Cabochon Steel Quartz Watch #2599By CartierLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAPre-owned Cartier Tank Divan with mother of pearl dial and pick cabochon crown. Special edition watch designed in stainless steel. On a Cartier black leather strap and buckle. Case m...Category
Early 2000s Wrist Watches
MaterialsPearl, Steel, Stainless Steel
- Pre-Owned Louis Cartier Tank Watch Factory Diamonds Grain de Riz 18KYBy CartierLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CASpecial Louis Cartier Watch with diamond encrusted factory diamonds on dial, case, crown, and bracelet. 21x28 mm, mechanical hand winding m...Category
20th Century Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Cartier Lanieres Allongee 18 Karat Gold Diamond Case Quartz Watch W15364W3By CartierLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CACartier Lanieres Allongee 18K White Gold Diamond Case Quartz Watch •MODEL NO: W15364W3 •REFERENCE NO: 2544 •MOVEMENT: QUARTZ BATTERY •CASE M...Category
Early 2000s Wrist Watches
MaterialsDiamond, 18k Gold, White Gold
- Pre-Owned Cartier Small Tank Americaine 18K White Gold Grey Dial & Satin StrapBy CartierLocated in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CAPre-owned lady's small Cartier Tank Americaine designed in 18 karat white gold. The watch measures 19 x 34.5mm, faceted blue crown, arabic numerals, grey dial, no second hand. Cartie...Category
2010s Wrist Watches
MaterialsWhite Gold
- Cartier Tank Française 2303 Serviced Steel & 18k Gold Chronograph ChronoreflexBy CartierLocated in Neuilly-sur-Seine, IDFCARTIER Founded in 1847 For the discerning few Wear Cartier watch it's integrate the club of famous clients : Jackie Kennedy, Princess Diana, the Duchess of Windsor, Princess Grace, Barbara Hutton, Elizabeth Taylor, Andy Warhol, Yves Saint Laurent, Truman Capote, Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Steve McQueen, Audrey Hepburn, Kanye West, Mick Jagger, Duke Ellington, Warren Beatty, Angelina Jolie, Tom Ford, Jake...Category
1990s Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsBlue Sapphire, 18k Gold, Steel
- Cartier Stainless Steel Tank Francaise Chronograph Wristwatch Ref 2303By CartierLocated in Stamford, CTCartier Stainless Steel Tank Francaise Chronograph Wristwatch Ref 2303, quartz movement. Stainless Steel Length: 36mm Width: 28mm Case thickness: 6.7mm Bracelet width at case: 19mm Bracelet length: 7.25 inches Bracelet: Stainless Steel with deployant buckle Cartier Crystal: Sapphire Dial: Authentic Cartier Chronograph Outside case: Cartier Swiss Made 2303...Category
Late 20th Century Swiss Wrist Watches
MaterialsStainless Steel
- CARTIER Estate Stainless Steel Tank Française WatchBy CartierLocated in Narberth, PAThis sleek and stylish estate watch is a signed Cartier timepiece! The Swiss made watch, which is a Tank Française, has a stainless steel design with a square-shaped face and gate-li...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Wrist Watches
MaterialsSteel, Stainless Steel
- Cartier 2303 Tank Franchaise Chronoflex Quartz Men’s. large WatchBy CartierLocated in Los Angeles, CACartier 2303 Tank Francaise Chronoflex Quartz Men’s Large WristWatch SPECIFICATIONS: Cartier Chronoflex quartz large men's watch Ref 2303. This watch i...Category
1990s Swiss Art Deco Wrist Watches
MaterialsStainless Steel
- Cartier Tank Francaise Mid Size Unisex Steel Quartz Wrist WatchBy CartierLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 2015 Cartier Tank Francaise, Reference 2465 Mid Size Wrist Watch, 25 x 20 M.M. Stainless Steel Water Resistant Case. Quartz Movement, Silvered White Dial with Black Roman Numer...Category
2010s French Wrist Watches
MaterialsSteel
- Cartier Tank Francaise Ladies Steel and yellow Gold Quartz Wrist WatchBy CartierLocated in Chicago, ILCirca 2015 Cartier Ladies Stainless Steel and 18K Yellow Gold Tank Francaise Wrist Watch, 25 X 20 MM Water Resistant Case, Quartz Movement, Scratch Resistant Crystal, Sapphire Crown,...Category
2010s French Wrist Watches
Materials18k Gold, Yellow Gold, Steel
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
How to Spot a Fake Cartier Love Bracelet
This iconic jewel has captured countless hearts with its elegant design and its amatory symbolism. Counterfeiters have taken note of the demand and created fake versions. If you’re looking for a genuine Cartier Love bracelet, it’s crucial to check all the elements for authenticity. Our guide will teach you the telltale traits of a knockoff.
The 14 Most Iconic Watches for Women
Style, craft and heritage combine to make these designs undeniable classics.