Strap Guide: Cartier Tank Solo Small Rose Gold

Strap Guide written by Delugs Ambassador @therubyhour. Thank you Myra!

Introduction

The Cartier Tank Solo was introduced in 2004 and discontinued in 2021, when it was replaced by the revamped Tank Must line. It came into my collection because I loved the look of the Tank Louis, but I chose the relative affordability of the Solo. Now I’ve grown to love it! I don’t feel I made any compromises by getting it over the Louis as it’s a modern interpretation of a classic timepiece. The distinguishing features of the Solo are the flat brancards (vertical bars) and the round blue spinel cabochon in the crown. The polished flat brancards give it a modern look and accentuate the tank-inspired shape of the case. The quartz movement makes it very low maintenance; a contrast to its gorgeous appearance. The lack of a seconds hand cleverly disguises the quartz movement, making it feel like a true dress watch.

I am happy to share my Delugs strap guide for the small rose gold Tank Solo. I knew I would have to go custom due to the 17.5 mm lug width. Fortunately, it was easy to order with the support of the Delugs Strap Consultant. You can ask them questions and they will help you choose one of their ready-made straps or customise a bespoke strap.

Since the Tank Solo is a classic watch, I assumed it would pair best with neutrals. But I realised its versatility while creating this guide. It’s a strap chameleon!

A few technical details:

I went with the Cartier-style buckle for all three straps, in a polished rose gold. The rubber strap has a brushed rose gold spring clasp, a signature Delugs touch.
The straps are in my usual length which is small (105/65) as my wrist is 5.25” or 13.33 cm. But I also could have gotten the medium length since the case itself is quite small at 31 x 24.4mm, though the strap would have a longer tail.
I specified the “Cartier thin style leather” near the lugs which matches the slim 5.55 mm case thickness.
Three of the straps have a custom lug-to-buckle width of 17.5 mm-16 mm. This makes the strap look proportional to the watch and is similar to my Cartier straps. However, at the suggestion of the Strap Consultant, I ordered two of the straps (pink and red) in a 14mm buckle width which gives a more tapered look, and I have to say that I prefer it as the strap looks less boxy.

Lavender Chevre Slim (Custom Strap)

The lavender chevre is a strap that I was admiring from afar for a very long time. I couldn’t figure out which one of my watches could hold its own against the stunning colour that is neither pale nor vibrant, but somewhere in between. It turns out that my Tank Solo is a perfect match for the lavender, as the cool tone of the strap picks up on the blued hands and blue spinel cabochon crown. The lavender also brings out the pink tone of the rose gold. Chevre is my favourite everyday leather as it has a whipped butter look to it. In the same way that others are drawn to the tough durability of a saffiano, the chevre has a softer texture, so you get both durability and elegance in an everyday strap. I wear neutrals most days so the lavender adds a gorgeous pop of colour on my wrist. This is the strap that gets the most compliments by far.

Glossy Caramel Crocodile (Custom Strap)

I chose the glossy caramel crocodile because I noticed that Cartier pairs their Tank Louis with a similar glossy large-scale croc, while their Solos are on a matte leather croc with a small-scale pattern. I wanted to see what I was missing! The glossy strap makes the watch feel more dressy and classic. It’s the type of strap you normally see on vintage dress watches, only in far better condition. The colour is like a dark, luscious caramel sauce, with the glossy sheen further adding to that analogy. This is the strap that I choose when I feel indecisive. A brown crocodile strap is like the blue jeans of watch straps, it always works. (My diamond Tank Américaine is on a Glossy Jade Crocodile strap from Delugs - Custom Monthly New Leather).

Matte Himalayan Alligator (Custom Strap)

I was inspired by my dear friend @vancouverwatchguy’s Himalayan strap (not from Delugs) that he wears on his Grand Seiko SBGW231. This leather type was popularized by the matte Himalayan Hermès Birkin. The Delugs strap gives a similarly striking impression. For those who don’t know it, the Himalayan Birkin bag has a darker grey on the outer borders of the bag with a cream portion in the centre, and this strap brilliantly echoes the same look albeit on a different canvas. Each repetition of the alligator pattern is accentuated by a line of darker taupe, while the rest of the strap is a gorgeous cream colour. It makes for a stunning look on the wrist.

Lavender Rubber CTS

The CTS strap was recommended by @_mrgrumps and my first reaction was a bit of scepticism. Who puts a rubber strap on a dress watch? Well, I don’t know how and I don’t know why, but when you put a rubber strap on a Tank it takes the watch to an alternate dimension. I wouldn’t call it the perfect match necessarily, but rather a lesson in duality like Allison Bornstein’s wrong shoe theory. It’s like sneakers with a dress, a dress shirt with jeans, or a blazer with a baseball cap. It’s unexpectedly cute and it works. You were right, Ashley! I was just able to smush in the 18mm rubber strap between the 17.5mm lugs, not something that I’d recommend unless you’re trying to save money by going with ready-made sizing.

Matte Red Alligator (Custom Strap)

Red is to Cartier like Tiffany blue is to Tiffany and Co. It’s their signature colour and so I had to try a red strap on my Tank. This red is brighter than Cartier red. It’s a true red without any pink in it, similar to the perfect red lipstick (my perfect shade is Ardente by Chanel). Delugs’ matte alligator straps are very pliable immediately, without any break-in time required. I’ve never owned a red strap before and I can say that it is perfect on the Tank. The red takes the elegant look of the watch and makes it feel bold but still classic.

Nubuck Peach Alligator (Custom Strap)

I had to end this strap guide with my favourite colour - pale pink. Pale pink is very understated and classic. I’m surprised I don’t see more watch straps in this colour. Anyone can pull off pale pink because it's a neutral colour; it’s more interesting than grey, and lighter than black or brown. Pink once had feminine associations with it but maybe we can finally do away with that? The Nubuck Peach is from a past Delugs monthly leather drop, which I eagerly await in the hopes of finding a unique leather. This strap feels the most “me” as I’m drawn to neutral accessories, especially in leather handbags. The pink looks even better IRL. The suede nubuck has a soft fuzzy texture and keeps the pink from being too sweet.

I hope you enjoyed reading the strap guide as much as I did writing it! I learned that every strap gives my watch a distinctive feel and personality. If I had to sum up each strap in one word, TLDR: caramel is classic, lavender chevre is charming, matte Himalayan is exotic, lavender CTS is sporty, red is striking, and pink is demure. Every strap brings out a different character of the watch in a playful way. Delugs straps make me fall in love with my watches over and over again.