The replica Cartier Tank is always available in a really confused range of variations and sub-variations over the years since it was first known to all in 1917, and yet shocked enough almost none of those variants make use of skeletonized, or openworked, movements. Of course, the fake Cartier has sold a large number of openworked pocket and wristwatches over the years, but it was not until the introduction of the Tank Louis Cartier Noctambule in 2004 that an openworked Tank appeared. This was followed by the Tank MC Skeleton, in 2013, and then the Tank LC Sapphire Skeleton in 2014, which was widely critically praised and generally taken as a very successful outing. 
The Tank Cintree has appeared in some different variations over the years, but the very dramatically elongated case has never before held an openworked caliber, and the reason why is probably that so as to get a pleasing effect, you really do need a rectangular movement that fits the case well, and which follows the curvature of the case. In earlier models you would have probably found either a round movement or a standard-issue rectangular or tonneau movement drawn from a movement supplier’s existing inventory; such an extreme movement shape would not have been part of any movement supplier’s standard catalogue and would have been expensive to produce for a single watch – maybe prohibitively so. However, the new Tank Cintree Skeleton has a movement specifically intended for the purpose, with much more satisfying results than would have been possible with a supplied caliber.
The minutes track is basically a modified rectangle and as you can see, the movement created for the openworked Cintree – caliber 9917 MC – uses that minute track as the structural basis for the hand-wound movement.
Generally speaking, the fake Cartier does very nicely design-wise by their custom openworked movements and the arrangement of the components in the Cintree Skeleton is both logical and beautiful. Everything is held in place by the minute-track shaped upper bridge and lower plate, which also doubles as the dial. The mainspring barrel is the dominant upper element, with the motion works and hands in the center, and the balance held in place at 6:00.
The case is quite long across its longest dimensions – it’s a 46.30mm x 23mm x 7.96mm replica watch, but thanks to the curvature of the case and movement it’s quite wearable. As we mentioned in our initial coverage, the Cintree Skeleton is going to be available in three versions – the pink gold model you see here; a platinum model; and a platinum and diamond model (100 of the pink gold and platinum watches, and 25 of the diamond-set model).
As you can see, despite the 46.30mm lug-tip-to-lug-tip distance, it makes a quite elegant presentation on the wrist and of course you get the added interest of wearing one of only four openworked Tanks that have ever been made over the last 100 years. It would be an awful lot of fun to have this guy, the openworked Crash, and the Tank Sapphire Skeleton all in one’s watch rotation – expensive, sure, but interesting.

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There’s no escaping that vintage reissues are a part of the top replica watch collection landscape, now being a ‘key pillar’ for many replica brands, and guessing what they’re going to pull out of the archives is always a fun game. So Andy and I polished off the crystal ball and had a stab at what we’re going to see at SIHH and Baselworld 2018. 
Andy: The fake Omega Flightmaster is one of those replica watches that was made for such a short period of time (about four years) that you really wonder what happened. It was a pretty meaningful watch for Omega, being the last time they specifically developed a movement for pilots. Now that we live in an age where practicality doesn’t really matter, the Flightmaster is due for a comeback, and I think it’s going to happen.
Felix: All eyes will be on Breitling in 2018, thanks to their new major-domo, Georges Kern. The general consensus is that it’s a brand with an unbelievable history and back catalogue that’s ripe for reissue, something the flying B has been slow to exploit. Given Kern’s previous form at the fake IWC, I expect that’s all about to change, and I’m excited to see what that change looks like.
Andy: Over the past few decades we’ve seen much tweaking on the original. Now I’m not saying I love faux-patina, but there is no surprise if we see a Navitimer released with a faux-tropical dial, and some creamy lume – which is obviously how brands let us know it’s a reissue.
Felix: The tag Heuer Bund is a cult non-automotive Heuer that’s surely due for a comeback. Originally made in the ’60s and ’70s, it was designed for use by for military pilots, notably the German Air Force. It has a hot military look and a backstory that marketing departments drool over, but my only concern is it might serve as a distraction for TAG Heuer’s laser-like focus on their current darling, the Autavia. Likelihood: 7/10 
Andy: Universal Geneve have been asleep for quite a while. I think their last release was a limited Compax back in 2008. Imagine how great it would be to see them hit the fairs in 2018 with an authentic and perfectly executed Aero-Compax. It’s an interesting one with some military provenance. There must be a reason UG have kept their office doors open, and website live, all these years. And they’d have to be across the outrageous prices their highly desirable vintage pieces now sell for.
Felix: Earlier this year IWC released a tweaked version of their Mark XVIII, the ‘Tribute to Mark XI’, with a dial and handset that’s a faithful to the historic military piece. Next year I’d like to see the replica IWC take it one step further, launching a version of this replica watch motivated by the RAAF-issued fake watches.

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