Collection
Hagen's personal journey to acquiring his first gold watch, a Cartier Tank Solo, offers a relatable narrative for many collectors. His detailed account and accompanying photographs provide valuable insights into the decision-making process for a significant purchase, especially when navigating limited access to vintage markets. This post serves as an excellent reference for those considering the Tank Solo, highlighting its timeless appeal and practical considerations like movement choice and wearability.
In my corner of the world, access to vintage and pre owned watches is very limited. Having dreamed about owning a gold watch for some years, and purchasing via the internet not being an option, my solution was to buy new. Admittedly, had I not bought, traded and sold numerous steel watches over the years, my present budget would not be so limited. The good part is that I have absolutely no regrets. Having fun is what this passion of ours is all about, and I have had plenty of it!
Apart from being affordable, the new gold watch had other criteria, especially since this is likely to be my only gold watch: Solid gold, not plated or filled. A Tank style, preferably Cartier. A simple dial with no complications, other than maybe small seconds. No compromises on quality and finish. As the gold watch is likely to be the least worn of my three watches, a quartz movement would be a good option.
From the Cartier website: "Cartier launched the Tank solo watch in 2004. This new model presents a fresh look at the essential elements of the Tank watch collection: contemporary but definitively Cartier." No compromises here for me. I have owned one Tank Solo, the stainless steel model in the large size. Although I loved the watch, I knew that I should have waited and got the gold model. And I could not get used to the deployment clasp used on the leather/croco strap, although I would have got a regular leather strap with tang buckle had I kept the watch.
With the price of gold ever increasing, I thought that now is the time for me to finally get my gold watch. There are not a lot of threads or posts about the Tank Solo on the forums, so I wanted to post quite a few photos as well, hoping it may help anyone who is considering getting this watch:
I love the vintage look of this watch, even though it is new and somewhat contemporary:
To me, a beautiful watch is worn with a beautiful ring. I got this Atlas ring at Tiffany & Co. I wanted something small and understated, that works well with the watch. The Roman numerals, of course, and their background matches the parts of the watch case between the lugs that are also brushed:
I sincerely hope that you enjoyed my write-up of this fine little watch. There is an emotional attachment for me, as it is likely to be my only gold watch, and I have been deliberating for some time about which model I would have in the end. The wonderful and sincere sales associate at Tiffany & Co. who had a genuine interest in both my watch and helping pick out just the right ring makes both the watch and the ring more special.
Cheers,
Hagen
A watch that defines elegance and chivalry. Congratulations. I love how they fit the perfect blue cabochon into the tiny crown. I had a Tank along time ago. It was an Anniversary edition with a red cabochon. I kind of grew too big for the small watch, so it's gone now, but I do wish I had kept it, perhaps for my children. Dean
Spellbound, How did you inject so much pathos into that short phrase? :-) If we could turn back time, many a watch would be still in our collections..... Regards, MTF
Same wrist, but an additional 20kg on the mainframe. I don't think wrist sizes grow that much after your teenage years do they? So now I wear 40mm plus watches, all the way up to the massive 57.5mm Type 20's. I have reached the point where men start shrinking, so there is hope for me to once again wear a Tank! ;) Best, Dean
Thanks for your comments about my Tank! I'm a pretty big guy. Less than 6 feet tall, but just over 200 lbs. Average size wrist, or large average maybe, at 7.5in. I still like to have a variety of watch sizes. I really think it depends upon the watch design, as to how it looks on your wrist, rather than just the size. For example, I have an Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra which is 37.5mm, a fairly medium size. I think it looks great. I had the large 41.5mm size, but sold it as I thought the smaller ca
Chaps, Unfortunately wrist size change daily and also trend with body mass changes. Ambient temperature and physical activity changes wrist size especially in hot humid climates. Weight loss/gain will change wrist size too........believe me: in adulthood, I've been 70 to 105kg and now somewhere between! :-) So, 20 kg makes a difference.....even for shoes. Now we know: my feet do look fat in these shoes. Regards, MTF
Hagen, Thanks for the owner's review and photos of the gold Tank Solo. You are correct; there are not that many owners posting own photos of that watch model. Some people may baulk at the quartz movement but you made a conscious choice and that was very sensible since it is the least used of your watches, the longer running reserve and precision of the quartz movement is assured. Regards, MTF
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