The Cartier Tank Solo XL Automatic is a “large” watch, but it is effective in being a more modern, satisfactorily manly iteration of the design. In 31mm by 40.85mm and 7.65mm thin, I locate the Cartier Tank Solo XL for a masterpiece of design and proportions plus a excellent match for my 6.5″ (17cm) wrist. For a watch called the Tank with strong military-associated origins, however, that the Cartier Tank is mostly regarded as the opposite of a rough-wearing, battlefield watch. The Cartier Tank Solo XL is water-resistant to just 30m, comes on a leather strap, and is almost the wristwatch version of a tuxedo.Calling this version “XL” reminds us that it is still thought to be a men’s watch. The basic expression of this Cartier Tank has undeniably been popular for women’s watches, and this might actually turn some guys off by causing them to view it as female – Ariel discussed this general phenomenon in a committed article here. Personally, that isn’t relevant to my own preferences and sporting habits. Further, if you don’t consider Cartier a “real” watch manufacturer because they also produce jewelry – well, then there is probably nothing that I can say that will change your thoughts anyway.To me, there are 3 possible problems with the understanding of this Cartier Tank. It might be considered 1) female(two) overly formal or old-fashioned, or 3) generic. Yes, like the Rolex Submariner, say, the Cartier Tank might be criticized as being a casualty of its own success. It’s influenced countless different layouts and been imitated endlessly… to the point that its closeness might almost signify a generic “watch” to individuals not knowledgeable about watches. The Tank’s recognizability can be a good or a bad thing depending on your view, or it may not matter for you if you just like the watch.

As the watch world gears up for the 2017 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), Cartier Watches Box Replica has quietly begun to announce their plans for the luxury timepiece exhibition held in Geneva every year. While they certainly aren’t strangers to the fine watchmaking arena, Cartier is typically known for their rich history as a company that produces and distributes a wide variety of luxury goods. Still, we all know that there’s always more to the story when it comes to their watches. For 2017, Cartier has announced a series of three highly ambitious watches including the Cartier Rotonde De Cartier Mysterious Hour Skeleton Watch we see here. It’s a piece that pushes a generally conservative watch concept into new territory while showcasing Cartier’s classical mystery clock design elements.

At first glance, we see that the watch is built upon the brand’s established Rotonde de Cartier Watches Canada Replica design. You’ll find no tourbillon, no minute repeater, and a wealth of crafty skeletonization work that’s sure to wow anyone that manages to get their hands on it. Although the watch isn’t necessarily sporty, Cartier has announced that the palladium case will be 42mm in diameter, which makes it quite generous and comfortable for most wearers. Also, at 11.9mm thick, the watch should have no issue in terms of balance. Inside of the watch beats Cartier’s caliber 9983 MC hand-wound movement, which is quite visible thanks to the extensive skeletonization that also makes up a set of Roman numeral hour markers.

Over at 9 o’clock, we have a large sub-dial that’s proudly built in the style of Cartier’s mystery clock design that started over a century ago. It’s comprised of two small sapphire discs with fitted white hands and nothing else. Each disc is affixed to the movement and tracks independently of the other to indicate hours and minutes. Although the idea may appear simple, Cartier seems to have kept the specifics behind the mechanics a secret. So although a great deal of the movement is visible, the connection to those mystery sapphire discs is relatively obscured. It’s this aesthetic combination of secrecy and openness that really sets the watch apart from the others in their SIHH 2017 announcement.

Another feature worth noting is the cabochon sapphire crown, which is just classic Cartier. In a way, it ties the whole design together and serves as a subtle way of reminding the wearer that this is an ornate, high-end watch from a brand that really dominates in the world of jewelry. The watch comes on a black alligator strap and at the time of writing is priced at $75,000. cartier.com