Santos de W2020008 replica

The most striking thing about this piece is the minute repeater that all watch collectors dream of.  To boost the volume, Cartier uses the best sound transmission in titanium, with a diameter of 45 mm, which provides enough space for the sound to echo, and is reinforced by four connection points between the case and the movement.

When a hammer hits a gong, causing a vibration, a basic tone is produced; when the sound from the gongs causes the rest of the subtle vibrations, a variety of overtones are produced; these overtones are crucial for determining the tone quality. Besides carefully controlling the range of the hammer to ensure a consistent length, the square gongs in the watch can also produce eight overtones, so that time can be conveyed through the sound of the lingering tones. As for the timing, an inertial flywheel at 7 o’clock controls how fast the hammer operates, allowing the striking mechanism to work steadily. Generally speaking, the flywheel might make a slight sound during the time signal, which can be annoying for perfectionists; however, Cartier’s design of the flywheel is praised for its nearly silent operation.

Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mystery Tourbillon Titanium Case, Crown Set with Sapphire Cabochon, 45 mm Diameter, Hours, Minutes, Mystery Tourbillon, Minute Repeater, Hand-wound Calibre 9407 MC, Poinçon de Genève, Power reserve 84 hours, Sapphire crystal and caseback, water-resistant to 30 meters, alligator leather strap, limited to 50 pieces.

With no dial, all the incredible craftsmanship of this watch is on display. Paired with a fine alligator leather strap, collectors lucky enough to own Cartier can wear the essence of Cartier watchmaking on their wrists.