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BillH2121 · 22 June 2019, 04:15 AM

I have decided I want a Cartier Tank Solo. Unfortunately, I live in an area where there is no Cartier boutique within 300 miles and I can find only two used watches locally to try on. Both of those watches are small size. My wrist is rather small at 7 inches - I think the Large version is probably the best choice for me. It’s hard for me to visualize and differentiate between L and XL tank without seeing them on my wrist. Also, I have not made complete peace with the idea of a quartz movement. Opinions on if the XL is too much for my size wrist - I’m not a fan of “big” watches (my go-to watch is an Explorer II). Thanks for any input.

SearChart · 22 June 2019, 04:44 AM

I own a large model quartz, with the Cartier caliber 690 which is a Frederic Piguet movement. These are very reliable quarts movements and consume very little power due to the lack of seconds hand. 5-6 years on one battery is not uncommon.

The xl has a more cluttered dial with its date window and seconds hand, this is something I rather dislike. And it has the 1847MC movement, which is not very well finished (even compared to ETA), not very accurate or reliable. I wish they would have kept working together with ETA and just thrown in a 2892-2.

Generally speaking I would pick a mechanical watch over a quartz all day, but not when it comes to this movement or the ETA 2000 which Cartier used a lot.

tudorbaja27 · 22 June 2019, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

I own a large model quartz, with the Cartier caliber 690 which is a Frederic Piguet movement. These are very reliable quarts movements and consume very little power due to the lack of seconds hand. 5-6 years on one battery is not uncommon.

The xl has a more cluttered dial with its date window and seconds hand, this is something I rather dislike. And it has the 1847MC movement, which is not very well finished (even compared to ETA), not very accurate or reliable. I wish they would have kept working together with ETA and just thrown in a 2892-2.

Generally speaking I would pick a mechanical watch over a quartz all day, but not when it comes to this movement or the ETA 2000 which Cartier used a lot.

Thanks for the info. I actually tried on the XL recently and am/was keen on pulling the trigger for an all-around dress watch - as I badly desire one.
Is the 1847MC a significant issue not worth rolling the dice on?

SearChart · 22 June 2019, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

Thanks for the info. I actually tried on the XL recently and am/was keen on pulling the trigger for an all-around dress watch - as I badly desire one.

Is the 1847MC a significant issue not worth rolling the dice on?

It is just not a very well made movement. Don't expect it to run like a Rolex, or high end ETA.

I get the whole thing about brands wanting their own in house movements, prestige and marketing blah blah, but in the end there is no shame in using a well known and reliable ETA movement, and I wish they just would have used that.

tudorbaja27 · 22 June 2019, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

It is just not a very well made movement. Don't expect it to run like a Rolex, or high end ETA.

I get the whole thing about brands wanting their own in house movements, prestige and marketing blah blah, but in the end there is no shame in using a well known and reliable ETA movement, and I wish they just would have used that.

Got it - thanks.
I'll keep that in mind as I move close to making a decision.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

SearChart · 22 June 2019, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tudorbaja27

Got it - thanks.
I'll keep that in mind as I move close to making a decision.

Cheers

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

Keep in mind that I am a RSC watchmaker, so I'm pretty anal when it comes to movements. What would bother me might not bother you.

I have only worked on the 1847MC once, a few years back, and this experience is what I base my opinion on.
I have no first hand experience with how it performs on the wrist for extended periods of time, I'm sure it is OK, but I just hoped for something better.

Not bashing on Cartier, I love the brand and its history and have owned one since I was 18 years old, and would definitely buy the brand again.

tudorbaja27 · 22 June 2019, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SearChart

Keep in mind that I am a RSC watchmaker, so I'm pretty anal when it comes to movements. What would bother me might not bother you.

I have only worked on the 1847MC once, a few years back, and this experience is what I base my opinion on.
I have no first hand experience with how it performs on the wrist for extended periods of time, I'm sure it is OK, but I just hoped for something better.

Not bashing on Cartier, I love the brand and its history and have owned one since I was 18 years old, and would definitely buy the brand again.

Of course - completely understood.
For my needs as a daily dress watch - it may very well fit the bill.

Can't think of a better, square dress watch in the $3k range. Classy all the way IMO

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

BillH2121 · 22 June 2019, 07:37 AM

Thanks for the info so far - I’m certainly feeling better about the quartz mvmt at this point. Would like to hear from those who own XL and their experience. Also, if someone has a 7 inch or so wrist and has some pics of either X or XL, I’d love to see them. Thanks!

jag32 · 22 June 2019, 04:04 PM

I have a 7” wrist and just bought a Cartier Tank Solo XL yesterday. I absolutely love it and the XL size wears just perfectly.

jag32 · 22 June 2019, 04:05 PM

Also, I paid $3250 from my Cartier AD with a small discount. So don’t let them charge you the full MSRP of $3450. If you like, I can put you in contact with my AD and they can ship.

BillH2121 · 22 June 2019, 11:48 PM

^^^^ Thanks for those pics - that helps a lot! Great looking watch - Congrats!

Justindo · 23 June 2019, 03:07 PM

I like the looks of the quartz Large model best but I too would have an issue with a quartz movement. The XL should work well on your 7" wrist, even though I'm not crazy about the date and the sweep seconds. I wish they made a no date sub seconds version, which would be perfect. You might also consider a JLC Reverso, which remedies these issues and is a significantly better watch all around, albeit at a higher price.

VintageVagabound · 23 June 2019, 10:58 PM

Try the larger size Tank Americaine. For me it’s the perfect size and well worth checking out.

jag32 · 24 June 2019, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VintageVagabound

Try the larger size Tank Americaine. For me it’s the perfect size and well worth checking out.

Wrist pic?

22 June 2019, 04:15 AM	#1
BillH2121 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Edmond, OK Watch: Explorer II Posts: 72	Cartier Tank Dilemma I have decided I want a Cartier Tank Solo. Unfortunately, I live in an area where there is no Cartier boutique within 300 miles and I can find only two used watches locally to try on. Both of those watches are small size. My wrist is rather small at 7 inches - I think the Large version is probably the best choice for me. It’s hard for me to visualize and differentiate between L and XL tank without seeing them on my wrist. Also, I have not made complete peace with the idea of a quartz movement. Opinions on if the XL is too much for my size wrist - I’m not a fan of “big” watches (my go-to watch is an Explorer II). Thanks for any input.

22 June 2019, 07:37 AM	#8
BillH2121 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Edmond, OK Watch: Explorer II Posts: 72	Thanks for the info so far - I’m certainly feeling better about the quartz mvmt at this point. Would like to hear from those who own XL and their experience. Also, if someone has a 7 inch or so wrist and has some pics of either X or XL, I’d love to see them. Thanks!

22 June 2019, 04:04 PM	#9
jag32 Banned Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: DC Watch: PP/AP/BP/UN Posts: 1,015	I have a 7” wrist and just bought a Cartier Tank Solo XL yesterday. I absolutely love it and the XL size wears just perfectly.

22 June 2019, 04:05 PM	#10
jag32 Banned Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: DC Watch: PP/AP/BP/UN Posts: 1,015	Also, I paid $3250 from my Cartier AD with a small discount. So don’t let them charge you the full MSRP of $3450. If you like, I can put you in contact with my AD and they can ship.

22 June 2019, 11:48 PM	#11
BillH2121 "TRF" Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Edmond, OK Watch: Explorer II Posts: 72	^^^^ Thanks for those pics - that helps a lot! Great looking watch - Congrats!

23 June 2019, 03:07 PM	#12
Justindo "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: California Posts: 2,176	I like the looks of the quartz Large model best but I too would have an issue with a quartz movement. The XL should work well on your 7" wrist, even though I'm not crazy about the date and the sweep seconds. I wish they made a no date sub seconds version, which would be perfect. You might also consider a JLC Reverso, which remedies these issues and is a significantly better watch all around, albeit at a higher price.

23 June 2019, 10:58 PM	#13
VintageVagabound "TRF" Member Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 568	Try the larger size Tank Americaine. For me it’s the perfect size and well worth checking out.

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