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This Tank Française presents a sportier interpretation of the icon, combining bold geometric lines with a sophisticated steel and yellow gold construction.
The Cartier Tank Française, first launched in 1996, was conceived as an angular, sporty counterpoint to the more classical, linear Tank silhouette, arriving at a moment when buyers increasingly wanted watches they could wear beyond formal occasions.
The reference W51012Q4 is a two-tone quartz model in stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, capturing the Française's signature balance of refinement and modernity. Its rectangular case adopts shorter, squarer proportions than the original Tank's, giving it a distinctly squared profile while preserving the quintessential Tank language, with twin parallel bars that run past the case and double as the lugs. These vertical bars, called brancards in Cartier's lexicon, have defined the Tank since 1917, when Louis Cartier drew inspiration from the stark geometry of the Renault FT-17. In that original design, the brancards evoked the vehicle's treads while the case stood in for its cockpit.
The Française is also the first Tank to feature an “integrated” geometric bracelet conceived as a seamless extension of the case, with distinctive pointed links forming an almost hexagonal shape where the bracelet meets the case. Cartier's familiar signatures remain intact, including a silver-grained dial with Roman numerals and a chemin de fer (“railway”) minute track, blued-steel sword-shaped hands, and synthetic spinel cabochon set into the 18k gold octagonal crown.
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This watch is in good condition, showing expected wear from normal use, including scratches, scuffs, and dings. The gold accents exhibit some surface tarnishing consistent with the age of the watch. The movement is running properly with all functions operating as intended. While the date of the last battery change is unknown, the battery will be replaced prior to shipment if it is depleted at the time of sale. Additional photos are available on request.
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This watch comes with its original box, instruction manual, care guide booklet, and CD. One additional full link is included.
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Brand: Cartier
Model: Tank Française
Reference: W51012Q4
Size: Medium
Year: 2000s (approximation)
Case size: 25.05mm
Lug-to-lug: 30.4mm
Case thickness: 6.7mm
Case material: Stainless steel
Crown material: 18k yellow gold
Dial color: Silver
Movement: Quartz
Complications: Date
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap/bracelet: 18k yellow gold and steel bracelet with butterfly clasp
Wrist size: 7.25” or 18.4cm (with the additional link)
Lug width: 18mm
Have any questions about this watch?
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