By Jovan Krstevski
If you remember last year’s SIHH, Cartier introduced the much-awaited men’s Drive de Cartier collection featuring a new cushion-shaped case that many Cartier fans wished for. Don’t ask me but I’m pretty sure the addition was quite a big hit among horology fans too mainly because the collection involved complicated timepieces. This year’s SIHH, Cartier made new additions to the collection which I’m sure you’ll find interesting. Here comes the Cartier Drive de Cartier Moon Phases watch and the Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat. As we move on with each of the watches, it is worth noting that the Moon Phase one is the only watch that offers steel version while the Extra Flat comes only in white gold. Since the Extra Flat version is really thin, a white or rose gold version seems more appropriate than a steel one.
Moving on, the Drive de Cartier Moon Phases watch still comes with the 40mm x 41mm cushion-shaped case made of either steel or 18k pink gold. For the gold one, its octagonal crown is also made of the same material. The design of the case is well cushion-type which somehow looks fancy or shapely, normally I’d want a rounded one or at least with sharp corners. Anyhow, if fashion is what you’re after, Cartier sure knows their stuff. With sapphire topping, the overall appeal of the case sports a very lean look, and I thought lean only pertains to men, just look at the lugs and the crown, they sport rather a very slim fit.
The guilloche dial of the Drive de Cartier Moon Phases watch looks pleasant. I like the subtle contrast between the two blued steel hands and the classic Roman numerals. Then there’s the new “AUTOMATIC” label at 6 o’clock where the moon phases sub-dial is located. The clarity is good and if there’s one thing I really like about the dial, it’s the minimalist moon phase, it really completes the “guilloche” display.
What powers the Drive de Cartier Moon Phases watch is the automatic winding 1904-LU MC with 48 hours of power reserve. The best part of it is that you have to wait 125 years to readjust the cycles of the moon for its moon phase complication, now that’s really a long long wait.
Moving forward, the Cartier Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat really means business. At 6.6mm it’s pretty much twice thinner than its previous models. This might not be for all since I have this nagging feeling that maybe just maybe a little pointy pinch would break it. Nah, I’m sure it’s tough plus it’s “barely there feel” makes it a must have for hyper-minimalist people.
The 38mm x 39mm case of the Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat is smaller than the Drive de Cartier Moon Phases watch. It’s also rated with 30m water resistance. Aside from the smaller and thin profile of the Extra-Flat, it pretty much resembles the other version. It’s very slim profile seems enticing but not so much if you really like to lug bulky timepieces.
As for its sunray satin-finished dial, well it looks clean and the same as the dial of the other version, however, it replaces the guilloche styling seen on the Moon Phases. Since the Extra-Flat also comes with a steel version, you’d definitely like how light plays with bare metal contrasts on the sunray dial.
Moreover, a manually wound 430 MC powers the Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat. This movement is based on the Piaget 430P which is well known for its very thin profile. At 21,600 vph frequency, it cranks 36 hours of power reserve which is more than enough although some might want for more since there’s no second feature here.
A semi-matte brown alligator leather strap comes with the Drive de Cartier Moon Phases watch priced at $7,850 for the steel and $21,100 for the 18k pink gold. Meanwhile, the Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat white gold model is limited to 200 pieces only and comes on a semi-matte greyed alligator leather strap. The 18k pink gold model, however, comes with a brown one. The Cartier Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat is priced at $16,700 and $15,600 respectively. For more info, please visit cartier.com
