Cartier has emerged as one of the biggest names in the world of luxury watches, and the brand is especially associated with creating high-quality ladies’ timepieces, which combine elements of traditional watch-making with Cartier’s own jewellery making expertise. As a result, any new releases from the brand are highly anticipated.
Each year, the manufacturer reveals the majority of its new models at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) watch fair in Geneva, Switzerland. In this blog post, we take a closer look at some of the stunning new timepieces revealed by the brand at this year’s event.
1. Cartier Panthère de Cartier Collection
The biggest news to emerge from Cartier this year was the resurrection of the Panthère de Cartier collection. Originally introduced back in 1983, the manufacturer halted production in the early part of the 21st century, but the collection has now been reinstated with a choice of two sizes and nine different materials.
Both the 22mm and 27mm cases have the same distinctive square shape, and all are powered by a Quartz movement, which is fine for a jewellery watch. Among the materials on offer are stainless steel, yellow gold and rose gold. Two-tone versions are also available, as are diamond decorated models. Finally, for those looking for something even more unique, a rose gold and diamond lacquer option features a distinctive spotted panther motif.
2. Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Hour
One of the more interesting new additions this year comes in the form of the Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Hour. The watch has a round case shape, which measures 42mm in diameter, and a skeletonized dial, revealing much of its inner workings, including a large part of its Caliber 9983 MC movement.
The time display is off-center, at the 9 o’clock position, and skeletonized Roman numerals go around the right hand side of this display. However, the most noticeable feature of all is the appearance of the minutes and hours hands, with the connections to the movement being hidden, giving the illusion that they are floating.
3. Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Tourbillon
Another new addition to the Rotonde de Cartier collection, the Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon is a highly advanced timepiece, with one of the most innovative complications Cartier have ever created. The flying tourbillon’s attachments to the gear train are hidden, giving the illusion that it is floating in free space.
The round watch case measures 45mm in diameter and is skeletonized, giving a clear view of the inner workings. The limited edition model is available in a choice of titanium, platinum with a diamond bezel and platinum with a diamond bezel and diamond dial. All models are powered by the manually-wound Caliber 9407 MC movement.
4. Panthère Joueuse de Cartier
Finally, perhaps the most visually ambitious and striking new timepiece from Cartier in 2017 is the Panthère Joueuse de Cartier. Part of the the brand’s Novelties collection, its round case is decorated with diamonds, while the dial is black, with a stunning panther cub in the center, also constructed from diamonds. In addition to serving as a stunning centerpiece for the watch, this panther actually replaces the timekeeping function of the minutes hand.
The paw of the panther indicates the minute, and this hand chases a single diamond on a disc, which indicates the hour. The case measures 40mm in diameter, the watch is powered by a new movement – the in-house Caliber 9918 MC – and the timepiece is completed by the presence of a leather alligator strap.
