The case of the missing “XII”…

In January 2010 I wrote about the new Calibre de Cartier collection as a watch that impressed me when it was announced at the 2010 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (otherwise known as SIHH) in Geneva.  But even prior to this, do you recall the teaser video which the Calibre de Cartier to everyone’s attention?  Yes, you may have seen it first here, on Dec 7 2009 (along with the teaser photo), but if you did not I will re-show it here and now (55 seconds):

Calibre de Cartier teaser video

Keeping with this theme, I just learned that Cartier actually continued the saga (or perhaps closed it out) recently with this video it released in June.  Here take a look (1 min 43 secs):

Calibre de Cartier post-launch video

A production on a budget that only a deep-pocketed brand such as Cartier could afford, wouldn’t you agree?!

Anyway – moving on to the watch…

…now that the new Calibre de Cartier watches are finally hitting the display cases of Authorized Dealers I decided to take a closer look.   As I previously opined, the watch is very nicely sized at 42mm and has a good look to it (aside from the slightly exposed date aperture).  The case – with its large (but nicely curved) lugs and crown protector fits well on my smaller-to-medium sized wrist.   One design element that is not immediately apparent — but a nice design element nonetheless — is the fluted ring around the inner edge of the case:

I really appreciate finer details like this not to mention that I find that it really adds to the look of the watch!

The movement is Cartier’s manufacture caliber 1904 MC and is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.  “1904″ is a reference to the year of the birth of Cartier watchmaking when Louis Cartier created a watch for his friend, the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont.  The 1904 MC is Cartier’s first in-house automatic movement.  Cartier claims a few features and innovations in the movement, namely a system of ceramic ball bearings at the center of the rotor to provide shock resistance and durability, a bi-directi0nal winding rotor, and an innovative pawl system that results in a faster winding rate (thus allowing the watch to be wound more easily).  And, of course, a nice video animation to show it all off:

Cartier Calibre 1904 MC Manufacture Movement video

Cartier has created a dedicated website where you can see and learn more about the collection.  Though it is not as impressive as the site for the Chanel J12 Marine watches, it is still worth the look — click to to jump on over!

All in all, I am excited about this new Calibre de Cartier collection from Cartier as well as the brand’s renewed comittment to being serious player in the world of high-watchmaking.

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