Written by Amani Liggett
The new line for Cartier is announced, and one model in particular has been dubbed Rotonde de Cartier Mysterious double tourbillion. The intrigue around the piece is already flowing throughout the internet and every luxury watch blog is discussing what makes this watch so mysterious and enchanting. The mystery factor is that the tourbillion’s titanium-crafted carriage has the illusion of being separate from the main movement. It looks as if it is suspended in thin air! The double tourbillion is crafted to counter the effects of gravity to ensure maximum accuracy. The first tourbillion of the Rotonde de Cartier Mysterious rotates at a rate of one revolution per minute, while the second moves simultaneously around the dial at one revolution every five minutes. When viewed, one would imagine the rotating and revolving tourbillion as a small planet orbiting the user’s watch face.
The Rotonde de Cartier Mysterious was made public recently in Geneva for the annual Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH). The technical aspects of the watch include the caliber 9454 MC, 52 hours power reserve, platinum casing, and of course the double tourbillion’s two axes of rotation. The case measures in at a 45mm diameter with a 12.45mm thickness. The movement diameter is 35mm while the movement thickness is 5mm. The piece also functions at a balance of 21,600 bph and is a mechanical movement with manual winding. This flashy new Cartier piece is water-resistant up to 30 meters.
The case of the watch is backed with sapphire and has the Geneva Seal for watch enthusiasts to admire and boast. The crown is made of platinum and set with a sapphire cabochon. The rest of the piece is constructed with sapphire crystal, a guilloché galvanized dial, alligator skin for the strap, and 18K white gold for the double adjustable buckle. The watch-face features a silvered openwork grid with sunray effect, and black oversize Roman numerals. The watch hands are sharp and sword-shaped in blued steel. All together, this artistic component contains 242 separate parts, as well as 25 jewels. Quite an eye-catching accessory.