Fashion and cinema meet in a beautifully crafted tribute video directed by British filmmaker Guy Ritchie starring Oscar and Emmy Winner Rami Malek and Catherine Deneuve that was made to celebrate the relaunch of Cartier’s newly redesigned Tank Française watches.
Courtesy of Cartier
More than 25 years after its creation, the Tank Française watch is back in the limelight in a film worthy of a design icon. The Tank Française watch is surrounded by an international cast of strong personalities: Rami Malek, an ambassador of elegance, known for his roles in Mr Robot and Bohemian Rhapsody is one of the most singular actors of his generation and Oscar Nominee Catherine Deneuve known for her roles in Belle De jour and Indochine is a French legend and muse of cinema and style who is also an avid watch collector. Join them on a journey through time.
“The first watch I ever owned was a Cartier Tank. It was something I aspired to have when I was studying to become an actor and had mounting student debts,” said Malek.
“You can kind of wear it anywhere. There is nothing trendy about it, it works without being trendy – that’s what makes it timeless. I wore it on the red carpet for a premiere recently, as I felt it was elegant enough for that, but it’s also a t-shirt and jeans kind of watch as well. It just takes it up a notch,” he added.
The first Cartier Tank was unveiled more than 100 years ago in 1917, designed by Louis Cartier. Ever since then Cartier has released a brand new and improved versions of this iconic watch in 1922, 1977, 1988 and the last version which was released 27 years ago was the Tank Française in 1996.
Now, more than a quarter of a century later, Cartier reinvents the Tank Francaise with a monobloc metal design and a new approach, both aesthetic and ergonomic, that energizes the ultra-profiled lines of the watch, available in steel and yellow gold, with or without diamonds.
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- Courtesy of Cartier
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- Courtesy of Cartier
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- Courtesy of Cartier
“This film is an expression of Cartier’s vision of watchmaking and the timelessness of its creations.
Courtesy of Cartier
It’s a journey through time, where past and present merge, in the image of the Tank Française, a true icon of the past and present. It also represents the meeting between French style, symbolised by the Tank and Catherine Deneuve, with the avant-garde, free and legendary cinema that Rami Malek so brilliantly conveys,” says Arnaud Carrez, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer.
Made famous by the likes of Michelle Obama; Giselle Bündchen, Robin Wright and of course Princess Diana, the Tank Française will be relaunched this month. It felt only fitting that a film be created in honor of the relaunch.
Cartier commissioned Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes, The Gentleman, Aladdin) to capture this tribute to the timeless classic. Filmed where it all began, Paris. Ritchie looked to incorporate contemporary cinematography with parisian style and a look through the decades. An incredible 26,202 photographs were taken during the shoot, which enlisted 88 technicians, hair stylists, make-up artists and others.
“The idea behind this film is the fantasy of crossing the bridge, from one bank to the other, a metaphor for the passage of time. I didn’t want to be too precious with this story, and preferred to add a fantasy element to it. It’s more of an encounter with cinema that is not necessarily literal and precise—that’s what makes the film unique.” Says Ritchie.
Watch the film here
Two actors, two characters, two continents and two generations all connected through a love of fashion, cinema, and a legendary Cartier timepiece.
Fangirl and Writer with a huge passion for entertainment.
