Cartier’s First Solar-Powered Watch Features Straps Made From Food Scraps
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When Louis Cartier designed the Tank watch, in 1917, its rectangular dial was a bold departure from the round cases of the era. Inspired by an aerial view of the combat vehicle for which it was named, the model’s clean shape hasn’t aged a bit over the years, as the Tank’s quiet, strategic evolution has allowed it to maintain its relevance while preserving the purity of its design. In the 1970s, when the rising popularity of quartz watches sent the mechanical-focused Swiss watch market into a downward spiral, the French company released the more affordable Must de Cartier Tank with a vermeil case, quartz movement, and lacquer dials in colors including red, blue, and black. A symbol of modern luxury, the Tank has long been favored by the style-, design-, and art-minded (Jackie Kennedy and Andy Warhol were among its fans). Even over the past few decades, when bigger, bolder, and more complicated timepieces have been all the rage, the model has held its own as an elegant and timeless standout.