Cartier

The Tank Normale, or Ordinaire, as it is called sometimes, was the first truly integrative watch design. The Tank's case and lugs are united as one, allowing for a seamless integration of the watch case and strap. By extension, the blending of the lugs and case make the watch both rectangular and square, an aesthetically innovative feat. The Tank was both elegant and utilitarian; its harmonious nature and the ingenuity of its design led to the Tank's immense popularity with both women and men alike. After its first release to the public in 1919, the Maison soon began to experiment with the Tank Normale's austere design, creating numerous variations, some of which can still be found in Cartier's lineup today. 

The men's sized version of this icon has never changed in size over the years despite its rather long production run. The last incarnation of the watch, released in 1973, remained a modest 23 mm x 30 mm case size, preserving the exact proportions that it was given upon its inception. Interestingly, the men's sized version of this watch has always contained a manual winding movement,  which cannot be said of most of the long-produced Tank variations. 

Despite its marked influence, the Maison no longer produces this icon.  Although it remained in the collection for a relatively long period of time, it does not appear to have been made in large numbers, as it is a watch not often found on the secondary market. Despite its low production numbers throughout the decades, only the earliest examples of the watch seem to be of any value to collectors, as sale prices seem to indicate. Unlike most of the early variations of the Tank, the Normale was conspicuously absent in the highly celebrated Collection Privée, Cartier Paris series.

The Tank Normale is certainly an understated, elegant timepiece, which truly transcends time. Although the originating model has seemingly been forgotten, its posterity concretes its status as one of the most important wristwatches of all time.