Cartier Watches- The Type of Movements & Maintenance

 Popular watch and jewellery brand Cartier is a beautiful concoction of French and fashion. After Louis-Francois Cartier founded the brand in 1847, Cartier made several remarkable contributions to the world of horology, including creating the world’s first pilot’s timepiece. However, it is often considered a fine jewellery brand above anything else.

Thankfully, in recent times, the brand has released many new watches that remind us how enriched Cartier’s history is in making significant in-house mechanical movements. Cartier has created some of the most iconic timepieces in the industry powered by advanced movements. While we are familiar with the brand’s mastery in designs, let’s look at the movements the artisans fit beautifully into their classic creations.   

Cartier Movements

Every Cartier timepiece is a blend of love and ingenuity. Several designers, engineers and watchmaking specialists collaborate to create each Cartier timepiece adhering to a strict quality standard. The watches are built using the finest materials and the latest technology, guaranteeing both aesthetics and efficiency worth keeping.

·         1904 MC

Getting its name from the year Cartier created its first wristwatch, the 1904MC is the first mechanical self-winding movement created and developed by the Maison. The brand developed the movement with a double barrel, i.e., two reservoirs, to ensure better chronometric balance for the power reserve. This strength allows the movement to accommodate complications like Chronometer, Moon Phase and 6 o’clock second counter. Furthermore, a shield of paramagnetic alloy embedded in the case protects the movement.

·         1847 MC

The moniker 1847MC pays homage to Cartier's year of foundation and is perhaps one of the thinnest movements made, measuring only 3.8 mm. It is suitable for thin timepieces. A dedicated watchmaker creates this exceedingly precise movement meeting the highest standards of Swiss watchmaking. The escape mechanism made with non-magnetic components helps withstand the strong magnetic fields and maintain precision in everyday life. Finally, a shield of paramagnetic alloy integrates into the case to protect the movement.

·         1917 MC 

Cartier named it to pay homage to the iconic Tank. This tiny mechanical movement with manual winding is less than 3mm in thickness, and the challenge was to fit the standard circular movements into Cartier’s unique-shaped cases. The skilled artisans decorated it with Côtes de Genève, seen on elegant timepieces. A paramagnetic alloy shield is integrated into the case to protect the movement.

·         Quartz movement

Cartier launched a new, more efficient type of movement, the Quartz movement, in 2018 with the autonomy of eight years. The manufacturers revised and resized the movement to make it more energy efficient and incorporated a new high-performance battery to support the mechanism. The high-efficiency Quartz movement features a long life, a water-resistant battery, halved self-discharge and an additional 5% capacity.

·         Skeleton movement

Skeletonised elements have been Cartier’s signature style since 2009 as they filed a patent for this unique movement. This spectacular movement type stands out both aesthetically and architecturally. Roman numerals form the base, with the bridges supporting the other functioning parts.

·         Mysterious movement

Staying true to its name, the Mysterious movement hosts an unusual and fascinating movement style. It came into existence in 1912 after Louis Cartier met with Maurice Couet. French magician Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin’s clocks inspired the first Mysterious clock, Modele A. It is a large mantel clock of rock crystal with an almost invisible dial. As you can see, the dial, in no way, connects to the mechanical movement. It seems like magic!

·         Mysterious Double Tourbillon

The Mysterious Double Tourbillon doubles the art of magic after Cartier patented it in 2013. The watches play on a double illusion. You can see the flying tourbillon completing a full rotation in one minute, but the sapphire disk holding the tourbillon rotates every minute with no observable gear train. This whole mechanism functions effortlessly and seamlessly, creating a double illusion. The movement appears to be levitating in open eyes. However, it is the racks at the margin of the sapphire disks that convert them into gear wheels.

Furthermore, Cartier chose a 5-minute rotation to limit energy consumption. Otherwise, it would have required almost 25 times the energy consumed for a one-minute rotation.

That’s all of it. Cartier has a flair for making enchanting watch designs that always look fantastic irrespective of the era. With its intricate mechanism, it’s no wonder that you need to take proper care of the watches.

CARTIER WATCH CARE

Your Cartier timepiece deserves attention and care. Consider doing the following things regularly to preserve it for long.

Ø  Avoid prolonged contact to magnetism.

Ø  Refrain from wearing your Cartier watch to sleep.

Ø  Do not wear a bracelet along with the watch on the same wrist.

Ø  Do not wear your watch while playing outdoor games like tennis or golf.

Ø  Avoid sudden and extreme changes in temperature (saunas).

Ø  If your Cartier has a leather strap, avoid too much water exposure as it accelerates the wear & tear of the strap.

Ø  If you have a rubber strap, enjoy the watch in normal conditions. Exposing your watch to a dense environment like intense sunlight or an urban environment may cause early ageing of the strap.

Ø  To keep the metal bracelet of your watch in good condition, we recommend cleaning it once every two months. Also, ensure that you adjust it properly to fit closely to your wrist. Please ensure not to pull out the crown of your timepiece before cleaning.

Ø  Cartier watches are certified water-resistant. However, please do not pull out the crown while you are in contact with water. When the watch is underwater, do not start the minute-repeater, the second time zone or the push-pieces for the chronograph.

Ø  Avoid changing the date between 10 pm – 2 am as it may damage the gear settings already set in motion.

Well, these are just a few most important considerations we recommend you follow daily to keep your beloved Cartier timepiece in good working condition for years.

CONCLUSION

Cartier watches embrace elegance related to the bygone era but beautifully blend into today’s world. Thanks to their classic design and precise movements, the watches are icons in the industry. For watches so prestigious and specific, it is always better to trust professionals for any repair and care service.