Cartier displays its latest mysterious movement and flying tourbillon watches at Watches & Wonders 2015

Cartier illustrates how the appeal of a great maison spans   generations, with models such as Clé de Cartier and Rotonde   de Cartier resonating as much with young consumers as with   the older generation.   Youthful consumers may consult their phones to tell the   time, but that does not mean they do not appreciate great   watchmaking.

“We at Cartier firmly believe that you buy a watch for an   emotional reason,” says CEO Stanislas de Quercize. “Purchasing a   Cartier creation means understanding the significance of everything   our maison stands for: search for excellence, exception, timeless   beauty and universal style, and patrimonial value.”  

Offerings at Watches&Wonders will reinforce these values with   Cartier novelties. As a master of shaped watches, Cartier will reveal the   first fine-watchmaking versions of the Clé de Cartier watch, the 2015   creation that houses two of Cartier’s most fascinating signature   complications: the mysterious movement and the flying tourbillon.  

“Three grand complications will also be presented in a black   lacquered mahogany box, as well as three unique watches, creations   that bear the mark of infinite sophistication between high jewellery   and precious watchmaking.”  

Clé de Cartier is the essence of simplicity in appearance, all its   elements perfectly balanced to achieve a “minimalist elegance”. Its   Roman numerals, rail-track minute circle and sword-shaped hands   are all reminders that this is Cartier.  

De Quercize says: “The maison has traditionally placed great   emphasis on the qualities of its designs, creating models characterised   by strong lines and distinctive forms. Clé de Cartier is no exception. We   were inspired by the pure lines and curves of architecture. And our   approach helped us design a new shape of watch. Clé de Cartier is   arched, sleek and ergonomic.”  

The soft curve of the design is new for Cartier, and so is the winding   crown, highlighted by a sapphire   which resembles a key, giving the   watch its name. This is a significant   feature. The indexed winding   mechanism allows the crown to   return to its original position   without changing the hands.  

There are versions of Clé de   Cartier and Rotonde de Cartier   which interpret two of Cartier’s   emblematic manufacture calibres: the   mysterious movement and the flying   tourbillon.  

In the mystery watch, the hands appear   to float independently of the   mechanism in an 18ct pink gold case of   41mm. Clé de Cartier Mysterious Hour –   Calibre 9981MC – has a silver openwork   dial with touches of blue in the Roman   numerals and the sapphire on the crown.  

Calibre 9452 MC is the Clé de Cartier Flying Tourbillon. The flying   tourbillon has 142 parts, and each part of the mechanical movement   has been finished with attention to detail such as chamfered bridges,   drawn flanks and polished screw heads, meriting the “Poinçon de   Genève” insignia. The 35mm manually wound watch is presented in   an entirely diamond-set white gold case, with 478 brilliant-cut   diamonds totalling 3.56ct.