The Tank is one of those designs that barely needs an introduction — crisp lines, strong proportions, and that unmistakable Cartier dial. This example is the Cartier Tank Solo ref. 3170 (often also referenced as W5200000), presented in stainless steel on its matching Cartier bracelet.
Up front you get the classic Cartier recipe: a clean white dial with bold Roman numerals, the inner chemin-de-fer minute track, and those elegant blued hands that pop against the white. On the right side sits the signature beaded crown set with a blue cabochon, which is as much jewellery detail as it is functional hardware.
This Tank Solo is powered by a Swiss quartz movement, keeping things effortlessly accurate and “grab-and-go” while still delivering that unmistakable Tank look on-wrist. The caseback is signed with the key details (including 3170 and the 813059 QX marking visible on the back), and the overall presentation is clean, sharp and properly “Cartier”.
As a nice bonus, alongside the bracelet we’ve also taken some photos on a high-quality black 17mm leather strap as a change-up — and we can include that strap as well, giving you two very different looks from one watch.
The Cartier Tank is over 100 years old and is still one of the most recognisable watch designs ever made. It was inspired by the top view of the First World War Tanks, where the tracks ran around the body of the vehicle, and during an age where machines were inspiring design everywhere through design movement including Cubism, Bauhaus and de Stijl. When it was first designed in 1919, the simple design followed Louis Cartier’s design codes from his earlier wristwatches; the railway-style minute tracking, Roman numerals, blue steel hands, the cabochon winding crown and, Cartier’s own invention, the deployment buckle. It was also at this time that Edmond Jaeger designed the movements, which were made by LeCoultre. In the 50 years since the first Cartier Tank was sold, only 6,000 were ever produced (6 were produced in the first year and 33 in the second), making Tanks from this age incredibly rare.
This watch comes fully serviced by our on-site workshop and with a 24 month, non-waterproof service cover.
What we think
On paper, the Tank Solo is often marketed in a way that nudges it toward the “ladies” category — but in real life it’s far more versatile than that. I’ve tried this watch on myself (I’ve got a large male wrist) and it genuinely didn’t look out of place (as you can see in the wrist shots). It wears with that old-money, tailored feel: not loud, not oversized, just confidently correct.
And that’s the point. The recent obsession with 40mm+ everything feels like it’s easing off, and a classic rectangular watch like this suddenly makes a lot of sense again — especially if you want something refined that still has presence. On the bracelet it feels a touch sportier and more contemporary; on the included leather strap it leans fully into the traditional Tank vibe.
It’s also a great way into Cartier ownership: you’re getting the iconic Tank design language, the proper signed bracelet, and the detail that matters (dial, hands, crown, finishing) — without needing to baby a delicate vintage piece day-to-day.
Spec Stuff
Reference : 3170
Movement : Quartz Age : 2010/2019 Specific Age :circa 2010 Case Size : 24mm
Case Thickness : 5.6mm Lug to Lug : 31mm Lugs : 17mm Condition : Pre-Owned Box & Papers : Box Case Material : Stainless Steel Service History : 24-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
2010 Cartier Tank Solo 3170 Stainless Steel Quartz unisex Watch on Bracelet – White Roman Dial, Blue Hands, Cabochon Crown
