 |
|
Created by Cartier in 2010, the Astrotourbillon has been the
subject of a great deal of watchmaking research since its very conception.
Thanks to this watch with its spectacular dial, it today stands as one of the
emblematic watchmaking complications of the Cartier Fine Watchmaking
collection.
In 2010, Cartier offered a new vision of traditional
tourbillon design with the Rotonde de Cartier Astrotourbillon watch. For the
first time, this complication was no longer limited solely to its function,
which consists of guaranteeing better timekeeping and reducing the effects of
gravity, but instead was fully incorporated into the aesthetics of the watch. Indeed,
unlike classic tourbillons that rotate around their own axis, the
Astrotourbillon is distinguished by its elongated cage, which enables the
balance to circle the dial in a minute, thus marking the seconds and evoking a
star.
In 2012, on the back of research led by the innovation
program responsible for the ID One and ID Two concept watches, which explore,
among other areas, the performance of materials never before seen in
watchmaking, Cartier decided to use carbon crystal for the Astrotourbillon,
thus making it the first Cartier movement available for purchase to benefit
from this incredible technical advancement.
 |
Made in-house, Cartier's 9461 MC movement |
It is as a sculptor of shapes that Cartier has approached
this new interpretation of the Astrotourbillon. Entirely laid bare,
disentangled from all other mechanisms in order to move into the foreground, it
has been entirely rethought and created according to the strictest rules of
proportion, harmony and balance. Behind lies an aesthetic intention, a daring
creative stance that aims to highlight the movement’s structure so that it “disappears”
behind the imposing XII and VI on the dial – a true Cartier signature. Freeing
up this space allowed the maison’s watchmakers to showcase the Astrotourbillon
in all its majesty and increase the amplitude of its rotation.
Watchmaking Signature
Entirely skeletonized, the main plate of the 9461 MC
movement rests on just these two Roman numerals. In this unique architecture,
these bridges powerfully structure the caliber, defining its appearance and
supporting the construction.
Weightless Rotation
This architecture is aerial both in terms of its structure
and its tourbillon cage. In fact, its elongated form enlarges the amplitude of
its trajectory and evokes a celestial body traveling through space. At the
crossroads of technical progress and a daring artistic vision, the Rotonde de
Cartier Astrotourbillon Skeleton watch embodies the maison’s ambitions: at once
creative and innovative, from both a technical and aesthetic perspective, it is
at the heart of the great challenges met by Cartier Fine Watchmaking. Today it
has accomplished the double feat of reducing the movement to an almost
sculptural form and generously enlarging the orbital trajectory of this unique complication:
the Astrotourbillon.
Technical Specs
Limited series of 100 numbered pieces
47mm case in 18-karat white gold
Beaded crown set with a sapphire cabochon
Sword-shaped hands in blued steel
Black alligator-skin strap
Double adjustable folding buckle in 18-carat white gold
Sapphire caseback
Case thickness: 15.5 mm
Water-resistant to 30 meters
Calibre 9461 MC: manual winding manufacture movement with astrotourbillon
complication
Power reserve: approximately 48 hours
No comments:
Post a Comment