Cartier Tank SolarBeat-unexpected daily

[BDL]

I was on the hunt for a Large Tank SolarBeat that ended up being a fun pursuit involving finding one over seas and wiring the funds and having a friend pick up and bring home for me.

I honestly thought the chase was going to be the best part, as I love the hunt and in the end this would be a cool addition to my collection.

What I did not expect is that after months of acquiring this would become the watch I end up wearing most days Monday-Friday.

The tank seems small and fragile on day one. But more than any other watch I have experienced it become better and better the more you wear it. It no longer seems small or fragile.

I’m sure most know this is a solar based movement that gathers the sun via the cut out numerals on the dial.

The 16 year service cycle and grab and go aspect are the big picture positives, however day to day the way in which a tank just disappears on your wrist until you check the time is what keeps me from even thinking of opening the watch box most mornings.

Still finding the right strap, but the fact it has quick connect (strap changes require no tools) might mean there is a rotation of them. I even like it on a NATO. No joke.

If you have a chance to grab one of these, wear and good health and let me know your experience.

-BDL








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[GradyPhilpott]

Beautiful watch and versatile.

[Shadow Play]

The Tank is a beautiful design that really has stood the test of time. I don’t think the SolarBeat is that easy to find. Is it a Boutique only watch now?

[DocChand]

Looks great! Probably my next purchase. Quick question - can the Tang buckle also be switched over to other straps easily?

[BradSomrak]

Originally Posted by DocChand

Looks great! Probably my next purchase. Quick question - can the Tang buckle also be switched over to other straps easily?

Yes. As you can see here.

[drhardee]

While noodling on the Cartier US website not too long ago, I noticed that the small size Tank Solarbeat was available, but not the large model. I am a 5'8" grown man blessed with tiny wrists, and I took a $2,800 leap of faith and bought the small model (black strap), before it disappeared off the site into Unobtanium, like the large model. I've had it for 2 weeks, and I love it! The faux leather strap is a little too short for me, and I wear it on the 3rd hole from the end of the strap.

This is definitely marketed as a woman's model, as the "Cartier secret signature" on mine is in the (Roman) numeral 10, rather than in the men's numeral 7, as on the watch pictured. I need to figure out the lug width on this watch, so I can see about getting some better fitting straps. I certainly don't have to squint to read it, it's not cocktail watch sized or anything like that. It also fits nicely under cuffs on dress shirts, something I can't say about my Grand Seiko Springdrive. That one is 39 mm; it was a rare smaller spring drive (no longer offered) with a sunburst dial back when the craze was the white birch or the omnipresent "Snowflake" 40 mm size.

I'm glad I bought mine, I need some more strap options so it'll feel more "everyday", and not so "dressy" with this black strap.

[woodsworth]

Looks surprisingly good on that NATO. Hadn't realized the tank was such a strap monster. Great pics :)

[CNY]

The fact that I shouldn't really need more than one dress watch keeps holding me back from these, but Cartier has so many wonderful pieces. And that nato strap looks surprisingly good.

[BDL]

The only thing better than a Cartier, is three.


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[Aleph-Null]

beautiful- however a bit to small for me


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[taxidriver]

Cool straps. I thought the tank would just be nice in leather straps.


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[BNA/LION]

I love the way the straps change the look of the watch!

[BLACKHORSE 6]

Is the SolarBeat still available?

[Blowarfson]

What a gud looking watch!