Recently unveiled at Watches&Wonders 2014 exhibition in Hong Kong and boasting a retrograde dual time zone and big date function, the Rotonde De Cartier Second Time Zone Day/Night Watch is conceived as the brand’s entry level, “small complication” timepece. The newest member of the Rotonde de Cartier collection is issued in three variants: stainless steel, 18-karat rose gold, and 18-karat white gold one with shimmering flinque enamel dials.
This elegant newcomer is housed in a round case which measures 42mm in diameter and 12mm in thickness. On the right side of the case there is a crown which, depending on a model, is set either with a synthetic cabochon-shaped spinel (for the steel model) or with a sapphire cabochon (for the gold ones).
Rotonde De Cartier Second Time Zone Day/Night Watches
The second timezone on this watch is marked via a “1″ to “12″ retrograde scale which is located in the upper left dial at the 10 o’clock position. This unusual retrograde scale can be advanced in one hour increments by pressing the crown. After it reaches 12, the hand will snap back to one to count the next 12 hours. Besides the second timezone there is also a day/night indicator near the 4 o’clock position which will provide information for the wearer whether it is time for breakfast or dinner in the second timezone.
The dial also comprises a big date window at the 12 o’clock position and a running small seconds counter at the 6 o’clock position. There is also a very nice set of decorative elements, such as a couple different guilloché motifs, Breguet-style hands, as well as the cut-off Roman numerals.
Caliber 1904-FU MC
The beating heart of the Rotonde De Cartier Second Time Zone Day/Night watch is the in-house caliber 1904-FU MC which is Cartier’s latest and simplest in-house “complication” movement.
The self-winding movement is compiled on the 27 jewels, has the frequency of 28,800 alternations per hour (4 Hz), 48-hour power reserve, and functions of hours, minutes, small seconds, retrograde second time zone, large date and day/night indication. The movement that consists of 230 individual parts features traditional finishing, including large Côtes de Genève on the plates, the bridges, and the winding rotor.
Rotonde De Cartier Second Time Zone Day/Night Watch
The rose gold and steel model feature a silvered, guilloche dial with blued steel Breguet hands and numerals, which are typical Cartier in style, while the white gold model boasts an attractive, dark blue dial and white numerals.
Whichever model you choose, you can be sure that you will get a stunning timepiece at an attractive price range. The steel version is the most affordable with the price tag of $9,650, while the gold versions are priced: $26,000 for rose gold model and $27,800 for the white gold one.
The Rotonde De Cartier Second Time Zone Day/Night watch is teamed with an alligator leather strap, ending with a folding buckle matching the case metal.
