In yet another display of Cartier’s superior watchmaking prowess, this Swiss brand has just released a Tourbillon Chronograph in its amazing Rotonde de Cartier collection. To say that this is just an amazing watch is to do this piece a grave injustice. This model is nothing short of a perfect synergy between form and function.
Cartier offers this model in 18kt rose gold, polished to a splendid finish. The case measures in at a slightly oversized 45mm. To match the large case diameter is a relatively thick case of 16.4mm. As with most watches from the Rotonde de Cartier line, there is a beautifully sculpted cabochon cut blue sapphire set into the textured main crown. At the 2 and 4 positions on the case are the chronograph pushers, which are used to start, stop, and reset this complication. Sapphire crystal is used on the case back and on the dial providing protection against scratches. Completing the aesthetics of this gorgeous timepiece is a luxuriant brown leather strap, which is fastened using a double deployant clasp made from 18kt rose gold.
The dial features a white galvanized finish with a guilloche design in a flinqué ‘rays of the sun’ motif. The hour markers are elongated and flow into the subdials on an open-worked style plate over the guilloche dial. The Roman numeral ‘VII’ carries the secret Cartier signature on this model. At the 9 position is the tourbillon with vertical bridge. The aperture housing the tourbillon also features a small seconds counter. At 6 is the 8 day power reserve indicator, which is displayed in a retrograde format. Finishing up the subdial line up is the chrono minute totalizer. The chronograph seconds are indicated using a central hand. The hours and minutes are displayed with sword shaped hands made from blued steel. In fact, all of the hands used on this timepiece are made from that material.
Powering the Rotonde de Cartier Tourbillon Chronograph is the hand wound 9483 MC. This movement was most recently featured in the Pasha Tourbillon Chronograph but arguably is most spectacularly displayed in this incarnation. This movement, apart from an 8 day power reserve, also has a column wheel, which is responsible for increased accuracy of the chronograph. The movement beats consistently at 21,600 VpH.
TAGS: Cartier, Chronographs, Column Wheel, Exhibition Case Back, Haute Horlogerie, Leather, Manual Watches, Mechanical Watches, Men's Watches, Power Reserve, Retrograde, Rose Gold, Rotonde de Cartier, Sapphire Crystal, Swiss Made, Tourbillon