The Iconic Cartier Tank on the Red Carpet

The red carpet has long been a showcase for glamor and immaculate style, and few accessories capture this better than Cartier’s legendary Tank watch. Since its inception in 1917, this timepiece has represented elegance and sophistication, adorning the wrists of some of the world’s most esteemed A-listers. 

The no-frills Tank has constantly made a statement at film premieres, award ceremonies, and high-profile galas, bringing a touch of classic refinement to contemporary ensembles. With various finishes, sizes, complications, and movements to choose from, there is no doubt that this watch is a true horological icon. Check out the celebrities who have fallen for the charm of the Cartier Tank.

Rami Malek

Rami Malek, a longtime ambassador for Cartier, is always spotted with the French maison’s finest offerings on his wrist. Aside from the elegant Pasha and the handsome Santos Dumont, the American actor also likes the classic Tank, especially for the red carpet.

Rami keeps two models in his collection. One of them is the 2023 Tank Francaise in the large size, which is a sportier and more modern version of the original 1996 Tank Francaise. Crafted from stainless steel, this watch has sleeker lines and a redesigned bracelet with a better-integrated solution. Its silver dial is also entirely brushed and is topped with more pronounced numerals. 

The actor’s Tank Americaine, on the other hand, is the definition of luxury and style. It is made of white gold and takes inspiration from the Tank Cintrée, one of the Tank collection’s earliest watches with an elongated case. Its dial has Cartier’s signature design elements such as the blued hands and railroad minute track, while its curvature perfectly contours to the shape of the wrist, making it ideal to be worn under the cuff. Photos from Cartier and GQ Magazine on Twitter

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi, a Hollywood hotshot noted for his powerful acting and understated sense of style, is also a major fan of the Cartier Tank. We’ve seen him wear a few variations on different occasions but the one he brought to Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla premiere is a true standout. The watch in question is the Tank Normale – Cartier’s legendary archival model, based on the first Tanks ever produced.

Jacob has the reissued version, released in 2023 as part of the Privé collection. This watch shares almost the same design cues as the 1917 original, including the beveled sapphire crystal and the 1917 date hidden in the VII numeral. However, its measurements have been extended to a more modern 35.2mm x 27.8mm, and its hands use an “epée” shape reminiscent of 1940s Normales. It also employs a quartz movement rather than a mechanical one but brings the same amount of sartorial swagger and quality to bear. Photos from Cartier and GQ Magazine on Twitter

Dwyane Wade

It seems that the Cartier Tank has also caught the eyes of sportsmen including Dwyane Wade – one of the household names in the basketball world. At the 2022 Time 100 Gala, we saw the now-retired American athlete with the Tank Louis – the quintessential Tank inspired by the French tanks used during World War I.

Dwyane wears the yellow-gold model with a narrowed 33.7mm rectangular case and a blue sapphire crown. Its dial has an opaline finish, a gold minute track and indexes, and prominent burgundy accents on the inner and outer rims. The long, polished brancards give the watch a retro flair, while the red alligator skin strap ties the vibrant but elegant look together. The watch, pictured above, looks similar but with a green colorway. Photos from Cartier and GQ Magazine on Twitter

Donald Glover

Donald Glover turned heads at the 75th Emmy Awards not only for his fashion-forward velvet ensemble but also for his dandy wrist candy – the Tank Louis Cartier in yellow gold. Released in 2023, this timepiece was created to bring a colorful and modern twist to the classic Tank concept from 1917. 

Minimalistic yet far from simplistic, the watch maintains a burgundy colorway from the face to the alligator skin strap. The gold-colored hands and logos add an exquisite touch to the watch while the classic beaded crown set with a blue sapphire cabochon round out the stunning look. Inside runs the compact manual-wind Caliber 1917 MC, which beats at 3Hz with a 38-hour power reserve. Photo from GQ Magazine on Twitter