It goes without saying that the past few years have been rather Cartier-crazed, and for good reason. From “it girls” elevating the Panthère de Cartier’s must-have status, to last year’s colorful return of the Tank Must de Cartier, demand is perhaps at an all-time high, with more eyes on their every move in watchmaking than ever before. With that hyper focus also comes increased scrutiny, but luckily the brand’s latest 2022 novelties from Watches & Wonders are already turning heads for all the right reasons. Are you a certified Tank head? Pining for a Panthère, or maybe even a Pasha? Swooning over the Santos, but also badly wanting a Ballon Bleu? This might just be your year, you Cartier collector, you.

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Starting out with the Tank, we’ve been treated to several updates. Most notably, the Tank Privé Tank Chinoise has returned in time for the model’s 100th anniversary, sporting new proportions while honoring the elegant genius of the original design. Also in Tank news, the brand introduced us to a number of new dial options for the classic Tank Louis Cartier, including two which make use of a new electrochemical engraving technique, executed in both red and anthracite grey.

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For the more reserved, there’s also a Tank Louis Cartier in yellow gold, with a plain black dial, along the lines of the latest addition to the Tank Must de Cartier collection, which also features a plain black dial. This addition comes as somewhat of a surprising move, considering that the all black dial Tank Must was previously released in a hyper limited edition available only at the brand’s Geneva boutique. 

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On a more colorful note, 2022 marks the introduction of new variants of La Panthère, fitted with strikingly engraved dials in vibrant tones, along with a new take on the Santos-Dumont, featuring a lacquered case evoking the brand’s early efforts in jewelry and luxury accessories. Offered in your choice of black, burgundy, or beige lacquer overtop steel, rose gold, or platinum, each affords a unique feel that ought to impress. 

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Similarly impressive is the latest collection of Santos de Cartier watches, which nod to Santos 100 models of the early 2000’s which featured rubber straps and bezels. Departing from what’s already been accomplished in the past, this latest Santos is being offered with dark blue accents, on both an articulated rubber strap and a stainless steel bracelet, affording an adventurous feel in an elegant package. 

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And finally, at the more haute horology focused end of the spectrum, Cartier delighted us with the introduction of the Masse Mystérieuse – a new piece distinguished by its movement housed within an oscillating, centrally-mounted weight. Rotating around the dial on the same axis at which the hour and minute hands are mounted, the caliber 9801 MC movement traces a roman numeral clad rehaut, and it’s not just for show. As a self-winding movement, this motion not only dazzles the eye but winds the watch, ensuring accurate timekeeping, and prolonging its 42 hour power reserve. This is exactly the sort of whimsical complication that only Cartier can pull off, and one which we can’t wait to handle in the metal. 

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