Cartier’s 2017 fascinators
The maison of Cartier, which has been offering Haute Horlogerie creations since the 19th century, has now unveiled its 2017 watches for men. These include skeletonisation, a mysterious movement, a moonphase and a minimalist offering. We bring you a curated collection of these fascinators
Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Hour Watch
Two of the maison’s iconic Fine Watchmaking signatures – skeleton work and a mysterious movement – come together in one watch, the Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Hour that houses the calibre 9983 MC. Asymmetrical and structured, this two-sided movement exploits the visible and invisible elements of watchmaking.
The watch incorporates a mysterious movement, the brand’s in-house complication that was introduced more than a century ago with the first mystery clocks in 1912, and successfully transposed to the wrist. The hands are not directly linked to the movement, but are joined to two sapphire discs fitted with teeth around their circumference. These discs, activated by the movement, turn the hands – one disc for the minute hand and the other for the hour.
The skeleton work of the watch is the product of a long Cartier tradition that began in the 1930s, which achieved signature status in 2009 with the creation of the skeleton watch with sculpted mechanism in the shape of Roman numerals. Unmistakable and instantly recognisable, it is protected by a patent, enabling Cartier to create a skeleton movement with an architecture that helps to tell the time.
With the calibre 9983 MC, Cartier decided to reveal the gear train of the mysterious movement, which is usually hidden beneath the dial. This transparency exposes even the smallest details of the movement’s architecture, but reveals nothing of the mysterious mechanism’s magic.
Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon Watch
This Rotonde de Cartier watch combines the mysterious movement with one of the most demanding complications in the watchmaker’s repertoire: the minute repeater. In addition to the technical feat of assembling 448 parts in a case measuring a mere 11.15 MM, the timepiece is aesthetically stunning. The openwork mechanism and contrasting black rhodium plating expose the transparency of the mysterious double tourbillon and reveal the steady rhythm of the minute repeater on demand.
The magical mechanism of the mysterious double tourbillon stays true to the aesthetic of Cartier mysterious movements inherited from the mystery clocks first created in 1912. Its flying tourbillon, which effects a complete rotation in 60 seconds, appears to float in mid-air, seemingly unconnected to the movement. Adding to the illusion is the sapphire disc bearing the tourbillon that in turn completes one rotation every five minutes.
The Rotonde de Cartier watch with 9407 MC movement is certified “Poinçon de Genève”, is part of a numbered limited series of 50 pieces, and is also available in versions set with baguette-cut diamonds.
Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat Watch
Less is definitely more in the latest addition to the Drive de Cartier collection: the Extra-Flat Watch. Minimalism is the standout feature of this watch. At less than 7 MM thick, it is 40 per cent slimmer than the original model. Clean lines are enhanced by the sunray satin-finish dial, flat sapphire crystal, and finely crafted alligator-skin strap, which stylishly showcase the cushion-shaped case of the watch.
Understated design, an extra-flat profile and refined proportions make this a perfect choice for the first men’s evening watch in the collection. The Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat watch is fitted with a mechanical movement with manual winding 430 MC. The watch is available in pink gold, or as a limited edition of 200 pieces in white gold.
Drive de Cartier Moon Phases Watch
This watch is fitted with the new Manufacture movement 1904-LU MC. A distinctive moon phase complication displayed at 6 o’clock tracks the cycle of new moons, half-moons, and full moons. This extraordinarily precise complication is known as “astronomic”, and needs to be corrected by one day only once in every 125 years.
The Drive de Cartier Moon Phases watch stays true to the signature aesthetic of the Drive de Cartier collection: wearability. With a convex curved glass case and uncluttered white guilloché dial, it is available in pink gold or steel. This timepiece lends an unaffected touch of sophistication to everyday mechanics.
