Louis Cartier, the founder of the Cartier Tank, invented the iconic model in 1917, paying homage to the Renault FT-17, a French tank used during World War I. The Tank's design was inspired by Renault's modern lines and was gifted to U.S. General John Pershing in 1918. The Tank debuted in 1919 and gained popularity in the early 1920s. The brand has a variety of modern-day models, including the Tank Anglaise, which features a case-incorporated winding mechanism and quartz movement; the Tank Louis Cartier, which features rounded lugs and a skeleton case; the Tank Americaine, which is an elongated version of the classic, the Tank Francaise, which is the sportiest, the Tank MC, which is the most masculine, and the Tank Solo, which showcases the best of the model. The Cartier Tank has been in production longer than most watches, making it an iconic masterpiece that combines classic design with modern principles.