Angelina Jolie, an actor and director that you may have heard of, was in Myanmar earlier this month in her role as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees’ Goodwill Ambassador. In fact, most of Jolie’s adventures are dedicated to her humanitarian efforts, bringing attention to the living conditions of people from war-torn countries around the world. The fact that Jolie chose to wear her Tank Louis Cartier shows that she is as thoughtful in her choice of timepieces.
The Tank Louis Cartier
First of all, the Cartier Tank is one of those instantly recognizable, iconic timepieces. Introduced in 1917, it is said that military tanks in WWI inspired the rectangular shape of the case. In 1922, the lugs were rounded, inspired by the then-emerging Art Deco movement. Other defining details include its white enamel dial with Roman numerals and railroad chapter ring, blued steel sword-shaped hands and a sapphire cabochon-topped crown.
History is more important than complications when it comes to the Tank Louis Cartier: it is the timepiece that Louis Cartier personally wore. Jolie’s lovely Louis is a simple hour-minute model with a quartz movement housed in a 18k yellow case set on a brown alligator-skin strap with ardillon buckle (also in 18K yellow gold).
Like Louis Cartier (who popularized the wristwatch by creating the Santos for his friend, aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont), Jolie also has a taste for adventure. Because the Tank is so timeless, it suits all of Angie’s angles: The tough girl star of films such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, the tabloid queen, the human rights advocate and the director of the upcoming film By the Sea.
At this point in her career, Jolie doesn’t need to make any oversized actions to get noticed. Her model is the 29.5 mm x 22 mm version, which subtly suits her fine boned features. And while the Tank Louis Cartier is a basic time teller, it’s also resistant to 30 metres/100 feet making it perfect for travel to hot and humid destinations.
In all, the Tank, like Jolie, has an undeniable and indelible presence.
