Cartier Tank Solo Ladies Watch W5200021 with Python Strap

Written by: Linda Gayle Parker

The Cartier Tank Solo Large Steel and Python Ladies’ Watch W5200021 is a stylish choice for women who love the texture and pattern of exotic leather, as well as fans of this classic watch’s shape and its design house.

Python and alligator have lately emerged as the most sophisticated and desirable of leathers, especially among high-end designer products. This watch makes the most of that appeal by pairing a python wristband with Cartier’s always-elegant tank style watch.

This model is lightweight, only 1.1 ounces, even though it is considered the large version of this timepiece. It also hugs the shape of your wrist, as the case is only 5.5 mm tall. In addition, due to the python element, it is one of the few light-colored watches available. If you love animal prints and exotic leathers, this watch just might bring out the animal in you.

The Cartier tank, in general, has long been favored by celebrities and women who are highly regarded for their sense of style. Princess Diana is a classic example. More recent fans include: Angelina Jolie, Uma Thurman, Naomi Campbell, Elizabeth Hasselbeck, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dakota Fanning, and Keira Knightley.

Features: 

• Rectangular stainless steel case
• Circular-grained stainless steel crown
• Crown set with a blue synthetic spinel cabochon
• Scratch resistant, Sapphire crystal lacquered dial
• Ivory python-skin pattern on dial
• Sword-shaped rhodium-plated, blue metal hands
• Python skin leather strap
• Double adjustable deployant steel buckle
• Analog quartz movement, Swiss made
• Cartier caliber 690 engine
• Water resistant to 30 m or 100 ft.
• Cartier logo at 12 o’clock position
• Swiss made, at 6 o’clock position
• No markers, numerals, or indexes

Angelina Jolie and Princess Diana, wearing Cartier Tank watches

There are a few potential drawbacks to this particular model tank watch. The combination of small hour and minute hands, with the textured surface of the dial, and the absence of markers, numbers, or luminescence, make this a watch with so-so readability and visibility, especially in low light. This particular tank watch is, I feel, mostly created for its animalistic and prestige appeal, rather than for practicality. The case of this timepiece is water resistant to 30 meters or 100 feet, but the python skin wristband is most certainly not suitable for immersion in water.

Python is indeed a soft and supple leather, known for its elasticity and distinctive pattern, but it is sensitive to heat, water, and excessive light, as is any fine leather. It should only be cleaned with a damp cloth, because, if the leather gets wet, it will darken, if it gets too hot, it will become brittle, etc. I would take this watch off before doing any kind of exercise.

There are also variations available within Cartier’s Tank Solo Collection, including yellow gold and steel with black alligator strap, all stainless steel (completely submersible), and a hot pink number with caiman leather strap. Only the large and small models that come with a python skin strap have an absence of markers and numerals, all of the other watches in the collection include both of these features, making them much easier to read at a glance.

The retail price of this timepiece is $2425, from Cartier.com. However, deals on price can be found from various online stores, including Amazon.