Both watches were born early in the twentieth century, and both are still made today. However, choosing between a Cartier Tank or Santos is really a choice between a dress watch and a sports watch. Therefore it helps to know what each was designed to do.
The Santos: a pilot’s watch
Louis Cartier designed the Santos in 1904 for the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, who wanted to read the time without taking his hands off the controls. As a result it has a square case and a bezel with visible screws. The modern Santos de Cartier adds a quick-change strap system, so it moves easily from bracelet to leather.
The Tank: a line reduced to its essentials
The Tank followed in 1917, drawn from the outline of a military tank seen from above. In short, its brancards, the long vertical sides of the case, frame the dial like tracks. Consequently the Tank reads as quiet and formal, and it slips under a cuff with ease.
How they wear on the wrist
A Tank is measured by its length, not its width. Therefore a 33.7mm Tank Louis Cartier wears far smaller than a 35mm Santos. Meanwhile the Santos’s integrated bracelet gives it real presence, so it suits buyers who want a sturdier everyday watch.
Choosing between the variations
Within the Tank family, the Tank Louis Cartier is the most classic, while the Tank Française has a steel or gold bracelet and a more contemporary feel. Similarly, the Santos family includes the slim Santos-Dumont, which is the dress watch of the line. Above all, the Santos-Dumont is the bridge between the two: square like a Santos, yet as elegant as a Tank. Metal changes the character too, as our guide to platinum, gold and titanium explains.
Which should you buy?
Choose the Tank if you wear tailoring and want a watch that disappears into it. On the other hand, choose the Santos if you want one watch for every day, including weekends. Before buying, read what to check on a pre-owned watch. For the full current range, Cartier lists every model in production.
Tank and Santos watches in stock now
Each watch below is a single unit, so stock moves quickly.
- Tank Louis Cartier 33.7mm in rose gold
- Tank Française Medium in rose gold
- Santos de Cartier Medium in steel
- Santos de Cartier Large in steel
- Santos-Dumont Extra-Flat in yellow gold
Browse all Cartier watches, or see new arrivals on our Instagram.
Common questions
Is the Cartier Tank or Santos better as an everyday watch?
The Santos, for most people. Its bracelet and case are built for daily wear, whereas the Tank is at its best with tailoring.
Which holds its value better?
Both hold well in gold. However, discontinued Tank variations and early Santos references attract the strongest collector interest.
Does a Tank suit a large wrist?
Yes, in the larger sizes. In short, choose a Large Tank Louis Cartier or a Tank Américaine, which is longer and curved to the wrist.
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