A small red ruby lends the Tank Louis Cartier WGTA0373 an exquisite finishing touch. Set into the crown of its platinum case, it adds a flash of color that the burgundy alligator strap picks up beautifully. Yellow varnish gives the silvered dial a warmer tone. Together, these details make this a watch that rewards a closer look.
The combination sounds colorful on paper, yet Sato, a Cartier specialist at Japanese retailer Eye Eye Isuzu, found the WGTA0373 remarkably understated in person.
That observation captures much of its appeal. The ruby and burgundy strap warms the platinum, while the familiar Tank silhouette holds the composition together. Cartier gives you plenty to appreciate within a simple shape.
In this article, we’ll explore the WGTA0373’s design and movement, look at its dimensions, and consider its place among other Tank Louis Cartier models.
We’ll also cover the practical details that deserve attention before buying. You’ll come away with a clearer understanding of the watch and whether this platinum reference belongs on your wrist.
First, let’s look at the design that made it possible. The story begins with the original Tank and the arrival of the Tank Louis Cartier.
From the Original Tank to the Tank Louis Cartier
Louis Cartier designed the original Tank in 1917, inspired by the outline of a military tank viewed from above. Its parallel sidebars, known as brancards, echoed the vehicle’s tracks and extended to hold the strap. The watch reached customers in 1919.
The design we now know as the Tank Louis Cartier followed in 1922, with softer corners and rounded brancards. Those curves gave the rectangular case a gentler outline, establishing the design language carried forward by the WGTA0373. An interesting detail: it originally appeared as the Tank à Bords Arrondis, or “Tank with Rounded Edges,” before receiving Louis Cartier’s name in 1924.
Over the decades, the Tank became a personal favorite of artists and royalty, including Andy Warhol and Princess Diana. Their choices helped give the collection a cultural presence far beyond watchmaking.
The Tank Louis Cartier also reflects Louis Cartier's contribution to the Art Deco style. Its strong rectangular lines are softened by rounded corners and gently curved brancards. Over time, Cartier has expanded the collection with different sizes, including the Mini, and precious-metal interpretations that appeal to a wide range of collectors.
The collection's commercial growth reflects its continued appeal. Cartier's turnover figures show year-on-year increases of 28% in FY24, 24% in FY25, and an estimated 36% in LE26, highlighting the enduring demand for this historic design.
To learn more, read our blog on Cartier Tank’s history and evolution, which follows the collection through its later interpretations.
WGTA0373 is a Classic Reinterpreted in Platinum
The WGTA0373 carries forward the Tank Louis Cartier design introduced in 1922, with its rectangular case, softened corners, and rounded brancards. It joined the collection in September 2026. This reference brings 950 platinum to the larger automatic format introduced the previous year, using an alloy containing 95% platinum for the case, beaded crown and pin buckle.
The case finishing gives the platinum much of its visual character. Polished vertical brancards frame the dial, while satin-finished horizontal surfaces provide a softer sheen above and below it. That contrast draws attention to the rounded contours and how they catch the light.
The Finer Details: Dial, Ruby Crown and Burgundy Strap
The WGTA0373’s silvered dial owes its warm tone to a layer of yellow varnish. Stamped decoration gives the surface texture beneath the Roman numerals, while blued-steel sword-shaped hands stand out against the pale background. There’s a pleasing vintage quality to this combination. The warmth of the dial softens the overall appearance, especially where it meets the cool platinum surrounding it.
The ruby cabochon adds a deeper note of color at the crown. Polished into a smooth dome, the stone sits within a beaded setting that echoes the case’s rounded contours. Cartier’s choice of red has a purpose here. The brand pairs it with platinum to bring warmth to the metal, just as blue crown stones provide a cooler accent on its gold models.
That small touch of red finds its counterpart in the semi-matte burgundy alligator strap. The leather’s scale pattern introduces another texture, with a subdued sheen that suits the watch’s restrained appearance. Its darker color also gives the pale dial a more pronounced frame.
The relationship between the strap and the ruby is remarkable. Their shades needn’t match exactly to feel connected, and the burgundy brings the separate colors of the watch into a coherent whole. It’s a thoughtful use of color within the familiar Tank design.
Runs on Automatic Calibre 1899 MC
Cartier equips the WGTA0373 with the automatic caliber 1899 MC, giving this platinum Tank the convenience of self-winding mechanics. For someone who intends to wear it regularly, that means less attention to winding as part of the daily routine. Its hours-and-minutes display also preserves the uncluttered dial that makes the Tank Louis Cartier so appealing.
Originally developed for the slender Tank Américaine, the movement fits within the WGTA0373’s 8.18 mm case thickness. That is its most relevant achievement here: accommodating automatic winding within the proportions of an elegant dress watch.
We see this as a thoughtful choice for a buyer who wants a mechanical Cartier to wear often. Those rotating it among several watches should expect to wind and reset it after its power reserve runs down. The appeal lies in how comfortably the movement serves the watch’s purpose, allowing the platinum case and distinctive design to remain the focus.
On the Wrist: Proportions, Comfort and Everyday Wear
At 38.1 mm long and 27.75 mm wide, the WGTA0373 offers a compact alternative to the larger round watches often found in a collection. Its rectangular shape gives it a different presence, so the width alone tells only part of the story. When trying it on, notice where the extended brancards sit on your wrist and how the platinum’s weight feels once the strap is secured.
The burgundy leather lends itself to relaxed tailoring as well as formal dress. We see this as a watch with enough character to make a simple shirt and trousers feel considered.
For regular wear, its limits deserve attention. With a leather strap and 30-meter water-resistance rating, the WGTA0373 is best kept away from swimming and prolonged exposure to water.
Beyond Platinum: Other Expressions of the Tank Louis Cartier
The closest alternatives to the WGTA0373 are the large automatic models in yellow and rose gold. Both share its 38.1 × 27.75 mm dimensions and caliber 1899 MC, giving collectors a choice of materials within the same proportions.
The yellow-gold Tank Louis Cartier WGTA0357 pairs an 18K gold case with a semi-matte gray alligator strap. Gray provides a cooler counterpoint to the metal. Its stamped silvered dial retains the yellow varnish seen on the platinum model, while a sapphire cabochon introduces blue at the crown.
For a softer palette, the rose-gold WGTA0346 combines an 18K rose-gold case with a semi-matte brown alligator strap. It also features a stamped silvered dial with yellow varnish and a sapphire-set crown. The brown leather draws out the warmth of the case, making this an appealing option for someone who gravitates toward earthy colors and rose-gold jewelry.
A different direction comes from the yellow-gold Tank Louis Cartier WGTA0091. Its black lacquer dial and black alligator strap create a stronger contrast with the gold case. At 33.7 × 25.5 mm, it is smaller than the automatic models and uses a manually wound movement, offering a different wearing experience as well as a different look.
Where Can You Buy the Cartier Tank Louis Cartier WGTA0373?
Explore the Tank Louis Cartier WGTA0373 at Jewels by Love, an authorized Cartier retailer with official agent status granted by the maison. Our family’s jewelry heritage spans six generations, and we bring that experience to helping you choose an authentic Cartier with confidence.
Our team welcomes detailed questions, from how a reference fits your wrist to its care and place within your collection. Contact us to check availability and arrange a viewing at our St. Maarten boutique.
You can also browse our Santos, Ballon Bleu and Panthère collections to explore other sides of Cartier’s watchmaking.
