SIHH 2012 Preview – Cartier Skeleton Grand Complication Pocket Watch

Written by Boris Djuricic on December 30, 2011 in SIHH 2012, The Salon International De La Haute Horlogerie - 1 Comment

Taking the inspiration from the past and its pocket watches from 1930s, the renowned watchmaker created a new “grand complication” timepiece that will surly get a lot of attention at the upcoming watch show in Geneva. Cartier Skeleton Pocket Watch presents a stunning combination of classic style and contemporary craftsmanship, featuring a tourbillon, a perpetual calendar and a monopusher chronograph.

Cartier Skeleton Grand Complication Pocket Watch Last couple of years, visitors of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie have been able to enjoy in Cartier’s high end wristwatches, powered by Renaud et Papi “grand complication” mechanisms. The French manufacturer has continued with the intention to preserve its high luxury status. For the SIHH 2012, Cartier decided to recall the brand’s reach heritage, making a beautiful pocket watch in the very Limited Edition of just 10 pieces.

The same mechanism that has been previously used – Calibre 9436 MC Renaud et Papi hand-winding movement powers this art piece. It is completely skeletonized, so that all its elements, including a tourbillon with the characteristic “C” shaped bridge, are revealed from both sides of the watch.

Cartier Skeleton Grand Complication Pocket Watch This technological masterpiece has the great power-reserve of 8 days and it uses one pusher to navigate through various operations, including “start, stop, and reset”. The use of a perpetual calendar with jumping hands that immediately after command move into position, instead of usual discs, represents another great technological achievement. This perpetual calendar is adjusted to indicate day, date and month via three sub-dials, including a leap year.

Cartier Skeleton Grand Complication Pocket Watch is made of nicely polished white gold and it has the large diameter of 59 mm. The central part of the dial is framed with beautifully executed, skeletonized Roman numerals which are hand finished with bevelled edges, like the bridge of a movement. The white gold crown is beautified with a sapphire cabochon. The timepiece includes an obsidian and a rock crystal stand, as well as a white gold chain and a fob.

Cartier Skeleton Grand Complication Pocket Watch SIHH 2012 Along with this extra luxury timepiece, Cartier has prepared another stunning innovation to be presented at the SIHH 2012. It is the amazing Cadran Lové Tourbillon watch, as well as a new Retondo Minute Repeater.