Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon
Case : platinum, sapphire crystal and back Size : 47 mm in diameter, 16.65 mm thick Movement : mechanical hand-wound (Caliber 9440 MC), 21,600 vibrations/hour, 362 parts, approx. 3-day power reserve Functions : hours, minutes, tourbillon, dual time and moon phase on demand Dial : lapis lazuli, 18K white gold grid forming Roman numerals. Blued steel dagger-shape hands Water resistance : 30 meters Strap : black leather with 18K white gold double adjustable folding clasp in 18K white gold Limited series : 50
2014 will be the year of space travel. Great timing, since Cartier offers an authentic suborbital flight with its Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon watch. What does the moon look like on the dial of this complication model? Like a tourbillon. Pressing the pushbutton at 4 o’clock brings a cover down over part of the tourbillon carriage, thereby forming a crescent shape on the dial identical to that of the satellite in the heavens. A polished lapis lazuli dial, a polished 18K white gold skeletonized section indicating a second time zone along openworked and beveled Roman numerals: no aesthetic detail has been left to chance. On the back of the case, semi-openworked bridges form a constellation pattern like a nod to the earth and moon. Collectors share the same objective as those who will take the first commercial flights to the stratosphere : being one of a lucky few (in this instance, the 50 people lucky enough to acquire one of these limited-edition watches).
