The Must-Have Timepiece That Every Fashion Editor Wants
Cartier’s ‘Tank Must’, an iconic design that first launched in the 1970s, has been revived in sleek steel and bold colorways. We speak to NET-A-PORTER’s seasoned fashion editors and fine jewelry experts to find out why this contemporary timepiece is at the top of their wish lists
Kay Barron, fashion director
“It’s the simplicity of Cartier’s ‘Tank Must’ watch that makes it so compelling. Its quiet elegance – clean lines, minimalist details and refined colorways – makes the piece discreet, but in doing so it delivers quite the statement. It has been described as a ‘silent icon’, and, like all icons, it doesn’t adhere to fashion or fads, and is completely timeless. The ‘Tank Must’ complements every personal style, whether that be maximalist or minimalist, as it has been so beautifully designed to work for you.”
Libby Page, senior market editor
“‘Buy now, wear forever’ is a key mantra at NET-A-PORTER, and the ‘Tank Must’ embodies exactly that – a forever piece that will never go out of style. The jewel-toned straps and matching dials are a welcome nod to the season’s return to joyful dressing, while the black-strap version is a classic everyday essential. Our customers are becoming increasingly conscious of choosing investment pieces with sustainable credentials, and the option of a vegan-leather strap on the ‘Tank Must’ is leading the charge for eco-friendly horology.”
Edwina Hilton, fine jewelry buyer
“The ‘Tank Must’ is the ideal first timepiece – the steel case gives a modern feel, while exuding a sense of accessible luxury. The watch is also an elegant stalwart to stack and style with other pieces of fine jewelry; its block color makes it the perfect canvas for scintillating accents on the wrist. Layers of mixed-metal tones are trending right now, so you could style the ‘Tank Must’ with a mix of yellow and white gold bracelets to give an elevated feel, or choose vivid enamel pieces to complement the lacquered dial and add even more vibrancy to your look.”
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Charlie Boyd, fine jewelry and watches editor
“The ‘Tank Must’ achieved cult status immediately after its release in the late 1970s, but the newest designs hark back to the audacious colorways of 1980s models. The design remains just as relevant to the modern woman who wants a chic timepiece with distinct character, making it the perfect piece to be handed down the generations. This is the sort of watch that will be admired by young and old, with a unique genderless quality – a true chameleon that can be styled to suit every individual.”
Harriet Haskell-Thomas, global head of styling
“I’m quite an eclectic dresser, so I need a highly versatile timepiece. Most of us can’t afford to have a different watch for every ready-to-wear outfit hanging in our wardrobes, so a watch that works hard, no matter what you’re wearing, is a big win. I could see myself wearing the ‘Tank Must’ just as easily with a low-key evening look with a flash of fine jewelry as with denim or a sweatshirt at the weekend. I think the most important thing when selecting a fine timepiece is finding a watch that you can imagine accompanying you through all areas of your life, and perhaps even be passed on for another life of its own.”