Movements

MOVEMENTS

All our watch movements have been carefully developed. They are all tested and approved in our laboratory to ensure a high level of reliability both in terms of precision and stable performance, and in terms of shock resistance and mechanical ageing. On the one hand, each component has been meticulously studied to ensure the appropriate size and material, and on the other, all of the assembly operations are extremely precise and detailed to ensure that each movement conforms perfectly to our requirements.

1904 MC

Named 1904 MC as a homage to the date the first Cartier wristwatch was created: Santos, the first mechanical self-winding movement entirely created and developed by Cartier watchmakers. With its double barrel, i.e., a double reservoir with mechanical energy for the movement, this calibre was designed to guarantee better chronometric stability for the entire power reserve. This strength also enables it to accommodate Moon Phase, Chronometer and 6 o'clock Second counter complications. A shield made of a paramagnetic alloy is integrated into the case to ensure proper protection of the movement.

1847 MC

The name 1847 MC is a nod to the year the Maison was founded. This mechanical self-winding movement was entirely created and developed by Cartier watchmakers and engineers. Measuring only 3.8 mm thick, it can be used in thin and elegant watches. Thanks to its adjustment system, each movement is individually and meticulously adjusted by a watchmaker to ensure high precision that meets the high standards of Swiss watchmaking. To effectively resist the strong magnetic fields a watch can be exposed to in everyday life and maintain its precision, the escape mechanism has been designed with non-magnetic components. Finally, a shield made of paramagnetic alloy is integrated into the case to ensure proper protection of the movement.

1917 MC

A homage to the Tank by Cartier's creation date, this mechanical movement with manual winding has been created and developed by Cartier watchmakers. The challenge was to adapt standard circular-shaped movements into Cartier's shaped cases. With its 12.9 x 16.4 mm tonneau shape, this tiny movement, which is less than 3 mm thick and decorated with Côtes de Genève, is featured in fine and elegant watches. A shield made of a paramagnetic alloy is integrated into the case to ensure proper protection of the movement.

HIGH-EFFICIENCY QUARTZ MOVEMENT

In 2018, Cartier introduced a high-efficiency quartz movement with an autonomy of approximately 8 years – twice as long as traditional movements. To achieve this feat, the Cartier Manufacture reworked and resized the movement to reduce its energy consumption and combined this with a new high-performance battery.
This is a new generation, more water-resistant battery that boasts a longer life, optimising self-discharge by halving it and has, in addition a 5% higher capacity.

SKELETON MOVEMENT

First appearing in the 1930s, skeletonised pieces have been a Maison signature since 2009. A patent has been filed for this unique movement.
The skeleton movement with Roman numerals stands out with both its aesthetic and its construction. Roman numerals form the base and the bridges and serve as a support for the calibre's functioning parts. .
This movement is entirely created, developed and assembled by Cartier watchmakers.

MYSTERIOUS MOVEMENT

Iconic in Cartier's watchmaking history, the Mysterious movement was created in 1912 after a meeting between Louis Cartier and watchmaker Maurice Coüet. The first Mysterious clock, named Modèle A, took its inspiration from the clocks of the famous illusionist and father of modern magic, Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdini.

MYSTERIOUS HOUR

The Mysterious Hour's display reinterprets the concept of the first iconic mysterious clocks by Cartier watchmaking by rendering it miniature to the scale of a watch.
These complications appear suspended in mid-air as the hands are not directly connected to the movement. They are attached to two sapphire discs fitted with teeth around the edge. These discs, activated by the movement, turn the hands – one for the minutes hand and the other for the hours hand.

MYSTERIOUS DOUBLE TOURBILLON

Patented in 2013, the Mysterious Double Tourbillon plays on a double illusion: not only does the flying tourbillon complete a full rotation within 60 seconds (like in a classic construction) but the sapphire disk holding the tourbillon turns on itself every five minutes - all without any visible connection to a gear-train.
The whole thing thus appears to be levitating. In reality, the rack placed at the edge of the sapphire disk transforms it into a gear wheel. A 5-minute rotation was chosen in order to limit energy consumption: it would have required 25 times more energy for a one-minute rotation.