SIAR 2014 Highlights: Cartier Brews Up A Strom

We continue our coverage of the Salon Internacional Alta Relojeria (SIAR) in Mexico with a trip to the Cartier booth, where the brand surprised us with a collection of Rotonde de Cartier tourbillons old and new. We had the chance to compare the 2013 Rotonde de Cartier Mysterious Double Tourbillon with two novelties from SIHH 2014, and it looks like the brand’s dedication towards innovative designs isn’t slowing down.

The Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon is easily one of the most elegant and innovative watches we’ve seen this year. Launched in January, at SIHH 2014, it features a tourbillon, a second time zone and a novel moon phase display located to the right side of the globe. Presented in a 47 mm platinum case, the watch is powered by the manufacture-made manual winding 9440 MC movement. The deep blue dial is partially decorated with lapis lazuli, while the beaded crown is set with a blue sapphire cabochon. Against those cool hues, which play against the light, is an 18 carat white gold grid in the form of sharp Roman numerals, which look surprisingly modern. The Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon is priced at approximately $310,000.

Also presented at 2014, the Rotonde de Cartier Astrocalendaire watch introduces a new take on the perpetual calendar in terms of function and appearance. The complication is presented in a three-dimensional concentric display of the day, date and month. Taking center-stage in the middle of it is a one minute flying tourbillon. The watch is powered by the 9459 MC mechanical self-winding movement. This is one of only 100 pieces made, and is priced at approximately $200,000.

Finally, we had the chance to catch up with an old friend, the Rotonde de Cartier Mysterious Double Tourbillon. What is a Mystery watch I hear you ask? It’s a timepiece with free floating hands on the dial. This Cartier watch introduces a twist on the concept, by making the double tourbillon function apper to float at the heat of the Rotonde de Cartier. It’s a very impressive innovation, which adds a dash of suspense to the watch. The sapphire case back of the Rotonde de Cartier also reveals a part of its movement, allowing watch lovers to admire the finish of its components and observe that the caliber 9454 MC. The watch is priced at approximately $200,000.