PRE-SIHH 2017: Meet the Complex Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon

As a teaser to what is coming next week at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) 2017, Cartier unveils one of its more complicated watches of the new year: the Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon. A mouthful to say, the watch has even more in store to feast the eyes upon when you get close up with it.

The timepiece boasts a host of signature Cartier watchmaking elements, including blending a mystery watch with a tourbillon — and a double one at that, and a minute repeater. It is the first Cartier watch that combines the brand’s famed “mystery” concept with the audibly appealing chiming mechanism.

In this alluring timepiece, the mainplate and movement parts are visible on the dial side to allow the wearer to witness the magnificent watchmaking prowess involved in making this piece. At 10:00 on the dial, the double tourbillon escapement sits beneath a large sapphire aperture and seems to float in space — bringing the mystery concept full circle. Additionally, the hammers of the all-new minute repeater mechanism are visible on dial side of the 45mm manual-wind watch.

This new Mysterious Double Tourbillon Minute Repeater houses the 9407 MC caliber — a base movement with double tourbillon with double axis rotation. The flying double-axis tourbillon — with first rotation in one minute and second rotation in five minutes — is patented. The watch measures just 11.15mm in thickness, which is the brand’s slimmest double complication to date. The Grande Complication (9406MC) measures 12.57mm in thickness and the previous Mysterious Double Tourbillon measures 12.45mm in thickness.

In order to optimize sound, Cartier eliminated a dial and created the case of titanium for louder reverberation. The brand also developed square section gongs for stronger sound — which is measured at 56 decibels. Cartier went to great lengths to ensure that the sound of the repeater would delight all the senses, and took in to account volume (loudness), timbre (clarity), richness and duration of the sound.

The watch is powered by the 448-part 9407 MC caliber. The watch carries the highly coveted Hallmark of Geneva certification. Because of the complexity involved in building this complication, just 50 pieces will be made. There will also be baguette-cut diamond-set versions available in small numbers. The price has not yet been set.

For a look at a few of the other new watches being released next week by Cartier, including the Rotonde de Cartier Skeleton Mysterious Hour and the Panthere de Cartier Joueuse complicated watch, click here.