Cartier presents time in various ways, the most iconic of which is, of course, the Mystery Clock. This design has been around since 1912, over a century; although the mechanics behind it are well-known, it remains fascinating and admirable. Cartier’s skeleton watches, which began in the 1930s, show the time and inner workings without a dial. These two designs have always been Cartier’s timeless classics, often discussed, but no one has ever combined them into one—until this year.
The Rotonde de Cartier Mysterious Hour Skeleton, Cartier’sfirst wristwatch to merge the mystical hours, minutes, and skeletons, was unveiled at SIHH Geneva 2017. The bridges, which are turned into Roman numerals, serve as hour markers to hold the movement parts in place while letting the watch’s inner workings be seen. This is a clever choice because what could be better for an hour marker than a bridge without a dial? The mysterious hour and minute hands are mounted on two sapphire crystal discs, which spin once every 60 minutes and every 12 hours, driven by a wheel on the outer edge. It seems simple, but it actually takes a skilled watchmaker to turn the complex task of showing hours and minutes with just two hands into a true art form. The case is made of rare and precious palladium, which is a bit stiffer but lighter than platinum, enhancing wearing comfort. With its mirror polish, it shines brightly in the light.
The Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon is a tourbillon mounted on a sapphire crystal disc that rotates every five minutes with an outer rim wheel, while the escapement itself turns once, creating the so-called “double tourbillon”.
Ingemar Eva –
High quality appearance, well constructed and finished. Maintains excellent precision. Superb bracelet that matches the quality of the watch and closes/opens easily with a handy double lock. You will be proud of this watch.