Clé de Cartier, the star of the season

Cartier unveils its new Clé de Cartier, a signature luxury timepiece prominently featured in their window displays.

The new Clé collection is faithful to the strong Cartier watchmaking tradition (“flinqué” dial, blue-steel sword-shaped hands, roman numerals – which are blue for the first time –, and sapphire cabochon). However, the Clé de Cartier (which means « key » in French) introduces a novelty, thanks to its unique patented rectangular winding and setting mechanism, instead of the traditional crown, on the right-hand side of the watch. It is disconcerting at first but a highly addictive feature (you can rotate it anytime you desire). And the new case shape is curved to be perfectly adjusted to your wrist.

The Clé de Cartier line comes in various sizes (31, 35 or 40 mm) and will definitely suit both men and women. It is made from a variety of distinctive materials by creating a full-fledged collection and the number of models existing is being extended. A brand new stunning selection of bicolor models made with gold and steel is now available in stores. This follows the first wave of white or pink gold with or without diamonds introduced at SIHH 2015 which has been in stores since April. The choice is vast with 29 variants now being available. A new in-house caliber 1847 MC (three hands, date) is fully visible through the sapphire crystal watch back. Its name refers to the year the Maison was founded and to the Manufacture Cartier.

This is only the beginning for Cartier. The Clé de Cartier will add a whole new dimension, thanks to a 35 mm ladies’ white gold, diamond-bezel version, dominated by a flying tourbillon. This innovative, new design has been presented at the new Hong Kong-based Watches & Wonders. The premiere at the end of the year will reveal even more surprises and promises to be an exceptional next edition of the SIHH.

N.YVON