Featuring the classic time-only format as well as the first-ever skeletonised style.

For years now, it has been an annual tradition for Cartier to revive a seminal timepiece from its storied past as part of the Priv&eacute; collection &ndash; a compilation of its greatest horological hits, if you will.

This time around, devotees will be thrilled to know that the model of choice is the cult-favourite Tank Asym&eacute;trique, which returns for 2020 in the classic time-only version and a contemporary open-worked variant. First introduced in 1936, the unapologetically audacious design represented a radical departure from the conventions of watchmaking with its deliberately canted case, which was unlike anything seen before.

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Parallel brancards were offset on a bias to transform the rectangle of the archetypal Tank into a diamond, while the entire dial was rotated 30 degrees to the right, such that the 12 o&rsquo;clock marker appeared on the upper right-hand corner of the case. This was done to make it easier to read the time, particularly if you were driving a car at high speed and didn&rsquo;t want to take your hand off the wheel. Legibility was further enhanced by the use of Arabic numerals instead of Roman.

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Still as striking a style statement as it was eight decades ago (if not more), the new Cartier Priv&eacute; Tank Asym&eacute;trique retains all the signature details of the original, except it is now equipped with the Manufacture 1917 MC movement, which runs at a moderate 3Hz and offers a power reserve of 38 hours.

Featuring the characteristic cabochon-set winding crown at 2 o&rsquo;clock, the brushed dial is also reimagined with a serif typeface and sword-shaped hands. The watch is available in pink gold, yellow gold, and platinum, each in a limited run of 100 pieces.

Better still, the Cartier Priv&eacute; revamp sees the first-ever skeletonised Tank Asym&eacute;trique make its debut. Showcasing the self-winding 9623 MC calibre, the skeleton movement forms the dial, with the mainspring barrel located at 12 o&rsquo;clock and the balance wheel at 6 o&rsquo;clock.

In an unusual move, the hour numerals and indices are inlaid with blue lacquer to complement the blued-steel hands, while the glossy alligator leather strap is fitted with an ardillon buckle. The Tank Asym&eacute;trique Skeleton arrives in platinum and 18-karat pink gold, as well as a gemstone-encrusted iteration set with 250 brilliant-cut diamonds, all created in a limited series of 100 numbered pieces for each aesthetic.

Find out more at <a href="https://cartierwatchmakingencounters.com/en">cartierwatchmakingencounters.com</a>

Think Tank: Cartier revives the Tank Asymétrique for 2020

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