The Cartier Rotonde De Cartier Day & Night Retrograde Moon Phase watch hands-on

Purity and elegance are two adjectives that we must use to define one of the best timepieces ever crafted by Cartier: the Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Day and Night retrograde Moon-Phase watch. The reading of the retrograde hours takes place on an arch rather than on a circle. The watch was presented during the SIHH 2016 and, since its launch, it has been a very successful timepiece both among the male and the female audience. Despite its 40mm-diameter-size (quite an important dimension for a female wrist), this watch contains all the sophisticated characteristics that Cartier is renowned for. The polished case is made of 18-carat-gold and it contrasts with the gold bezel embellished by 68 brilliant-cut diamonds totaling 0.99 carats. The gold crown is also as valuable as the case and the bezel, since it sports a 0,12-carat-diamond.

The lacquered dial completes the refined stylishness of the Rotonde de Cartier; it features Roman numerals that are usually found on the items crafted by the most famous and appreciated French jeweler in the world, they also highlight the classicism of the style. 118 brilliant-cut diamonds (totaling 0,29 carats) complete the sober dial together with 28 blue sapphires used for the day and night indicator. The idea to combine these different types of precious stones makes the Rotonde de Cartier even more radiant, thus making it the perfect watch for a female wrist. The minutes hand is crafted in the shape of sword. As it if were running on a never-ending trail, the retrograde hand instantly goes back to its initial position.

From the outside, the beauty of this timepiece might leave you breathless, but it is the inside of the Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Day and Night Moon Phase that hosts the 9912 MC caliber (an automatic-winding mechanical movement that oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour). The movement measuring 30mm in diameter is numbered and is made up of 290 components (including 44 rubies) and despite its limited 6,44mm–thickness, it is able to host such an important complication. This timepiece can guarantee a power reserve of up to 48 hours and is water-proof up to a 30-meter-depth.

The gorgeousness of the Cartier Rotonde de Cartier is fully reached when you look at its see-through case-back made of sapphire glass, as it fully displays all the extremely refined finishing touches you are looking for; the two “C” letters appearing on the oscillating mass are, once again, Cartier’s distinctive trademark. An alligator leather strap in a vibrant blue color wraps the wrist of those, who wear a Rotonde de Cartier, an adjustable foldable clasp made of rhodium-plated 18-carat-gold that guarantees a perfect latching, this is enriched with 43 diamonds totaling 0,42 carats. For a modern woman, being able to wear a watch on any occasions and throughout the day, is something that is made possible by this timepiece.

I would like to highlight that, in the past, when it came to watch-making, the female universe focused exclusively on the aesthetic side of a timepiece, whereas, nowadays, a woman is proud to wear even a complicated watch. The mechanics hosted within the precious case of the Rotonde de Cartier are a plus-side that only a very few women can have the privilege to talk about and something that is quite hard to give up.

(Photo credit: Horbiter®’s proprietary photo-shooting)

Mirella Codeghini @Horbiter®