Cartier Calibre De Cartier Watches
Launched back in 2010, Calibre De Cartier watches were the first to house the manufacturer’s in-house calibers, hence the name. Prior to the Calibre de Cartier, the Parisian jewellery makers primarily utilised third parties for movements. Creating a watch with their own stamp throughout, from face to brand new calibers was a huge step into the modern day for one of the watch world’s most prestigious and famous organisations.
The History of Cartier Calibre De Cartier Watches
When it comes to making jewellery and watches, there’s not much that Cartier hasn’t achieved in their long history. The company is a pioneer of the industry, with a myriad of iconic watch designs in their back catalogue. But one thing that could be held against it was the calibres. For most of its history making watches, Cartier has exclusively used movements from other companies.
However, this all changed towards the end of the 2000s when Cartier began shifting their focus away from third-party movements, and instead began manufacturing their own, in-house. Cartier produced calibres were first introduced to the world in the Ballon Bleu Flying Tourbillon, an extremely limited, high horology collection, a tester for what was to come.
Cartier wanted to produce an in-house watch that was accessible by as many people as possible, that could be appreciated by more than just a select few. So in 2010 Cartier unveiled their watch for a new era, the Calibre de Cartier.
Initially released with an excellent variety of models, sizes, and materials, the Calibre de Cartier was released to great fanfare. One of the core appeals of the Calibre de Cartier is that you know, the high level of craftsmanship and artistry that goes into every minute detail of the outside of a Cartier watch, is now going into every aspect of the inside.
Upon release, the Calibre de Cartier had a sporty feel due to its large 42mm case, smoothed bezel and leather straps. But just because the internal mechanism may appear to be the main focus doesn’t mean that the aesthetic of the watch took a back seat.
The Calibre de Cartier is, without doubt, a Cartier watch. It comes with all of the traditional Cartier design features; from the sword-shaped hands, to the Roman numerals and sapphire. The Calibre de Cartier however does boast a unique design feature, with the fact it uses baton hour markers on the bottom half of the face, rather than continuing with the numerals, to allow for a small seconds dial.
Over the following years Cartier added to the Calibre collection with a selection of tweaked models, perfecting the Calibre de Cartier to suit any interests.
2011 brought a Calibre de Cartier which sported a distinct metal bracelet that matched the colour and material of the case. A year later, chronograph models were released, the same Calibre but with two elongated chronograph pushers either side of the crown. This was followed up in 2013 with the Calibre de Cartier Diver, which was similar in design to the traditional Calibre, but with additions to adhere to the strict ISO 6452 standards for diving watches, to allow total protection from the elements.
Then, a few years later in 2015, Cartier released the Calibre de Cartier 38. These alternatives to the previous releases stood out due to their smaller size at 38mm compared to the original’s 42mm. The Calibre de Cartier 38 released with a modified dial layout, and removed the seconds dial, instead opting to have the roman numerals go all around the face.
The Calibre de Cartier stands out amongst the distinctive models released by Carter since they created their first watch. Its status as the first Cartier collection powered exclusively by the Cartier automotive movement, the model is important to the history of this esteemed French brand.
Quest for Perfection
When Cartier, who despite being one of the most famous and successful watch brands on the planet, have no traditional manufacturing roots in their history, announced that they would be creating their own movements, starting with the experimental Ballon Bleu Flying Tourbillon, followed by the Calibre de Cartier, many in the industry considered it a publicity stunt more than anything.
Few could have known the veracity that Cartier would take to their new direction. When Cartier took over the production facilities of Roger Dubuis in Geneva, they began a full-on assault on the traditional watch manufacturing titans.
This new direction paired the artistic juggernaut of Cartier, with a new intricate, precise secret weapon. The creation of the first Cartier mechanical movements was an arduous one across many years. A long process was required if Cartier were going to translate the perfection and quality standard that they have set over the decades into their new manufacturing arm.
Sporting Elegance
The beauty of Cartier Calibre de Cartier watches is the diversity and multi-functionality. The Calibre de Cartier collection boasts 17 watches, all designed to suit individual speciality needs, while also managing to maintain design elements that allow it to seamlessly fit into any room in the world.
For example, the Calibre de Cartier Diver is, as the name suggests, designed to suit the needs of somebody wishing to go into the water. It is designed to function at up to 300-metres underwater with as high precision as if you were on the beach. It perfectly meets the core functional needs that come with a diving watch. It meets all technical requirements, boasts Superluminova covering every number on the dial and bezel, to make the watch readable in total darkness.
Despite being designed to suit the core needs of a diver, it also juggles that with continuing with the Cartier time-honoured traditional sense of style and luxury that is unmistakable in every watch released under the umbrella.
Each Calibre de Cartier watch has been carefully designed to be admired by people of varying backgrounds, with unique needs; from the boardroom to the barrier reefs.