ReviewCalibre de Cartier II – Redefining Simplicity

Here is a classy men’s watch that takes simplicity to a completely different level. The entire timepiece is designed in colours that are so easy on the eyes that it becomes almost difficult to take one’s eyes off it. The watch is powered by the Cartier Calibre 1904-PS MC, an automatic mechanical movement that is amongst the best Swiss made movements available in the world today.

Cartier’s history of watchmaking and jewellery designing is as illustrious and royal as they come. Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847 by Louis-Francois Cartier. By the early 20^th century, Cartier had soon won fame among the royal courts of Europe. In 1904, the Prince of Wales, who later became Edward VII, granted Cartier the first Royal warrant as supplier to the court of England. This was followed by many other royal commissions across Europe. Cartier has over the years been a favourite of many stars and celebrities as well.

Cartier is the “Jeweller of Kings and King of Jewellers”

 -Prince of Wales, 1902

The Calibre de Cartier II has a solid stainless steel case that has a diameter of 42 mm and thickness of 10 mm. The bezel is fixed and also made of stainless steel. The timepiece is fitted with a scratch resistant sapphire crystal and is water resistant to a depth of 30 metres. One of the most distinguishing features of the watch is the polygonal steel crown, which is adorned with a faceted blue synthetic spinel. This gives the timepiece a highly sophisticated look and adds a touch of royalty to it. Of course, Cartier watches have always been known for their association with royalty and this small yet significant detail reinforces the fact that the timepiece comes from the house of the legendary French watchmaker.

The timepiece has a silvered and textured opaline dial. There is a seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock and the date is displayed through an aperture at 3 o’clock. Black roman numerals mark hours 9 to 3 while hours 4 to 8 are represented by stick markers. 12 o’clock is marked in big black roman numerals and gives a definitive look to the elegantly designed dial. An external rail track scale marks the outer rim of the dial and displays the minutes in Arabic numerals. The hour and minutes hands are made of black oxidized steel and are both luminous and sword-shaped. The bracelet is made of stainless steel and comes with a deployant clasp.

The silver opaline colour of the dial gives the timepiece a classical touch that is difficult to find in times when technology and design are usually trying to push things forward so fast that simplicity and readability have almost completely been forgotten. The Calibre de Cartier II is the perfect timepiece for those who appreciate a sense of refined simplicity in a modern timepiece.