Cartier Must Tank Velmaile SM

The Must Tank Vermeil SM was produced during the Must de Cartier era by Cartier, primarily from the 1970s through the 1980s. It forms part of the Must collection introduced in 1973, a pivotal initiative that revitalized Cartier during a period of corporate restructuring.

The original Tank design, created in 1917 by Louis Cartier, was inspired by the geometric form of military tanks viewed from above. The Must line preserved this historic rectangular architecture while introducing vermeil construction—gold-plated sterling silver—allowing the model to reach a broader clientele without altering its essential design identity.

The Must Tank Vermeil SM became particularly known for its lacquer dial variations, including burgundy and black examples, alongside more traditional Roman numeral dials signed “Must de Cartier” or “Cartier.” The clean brancards, balanced proportions, and blue cabochon crown remained consistent with the Tank’s enduring aesthetic language.

Today, the Must Tank Vermeil SM stands as a defining expression of Cartier’s late 20th-century revival—an accessible yet historically faithful interpretation of one of watchmaking’s most enduring designs.