The current collection of Tourbillon models by Cartier has increased to more than 10 different models and I am not even counting the different gold versions, just the various different models by themselves. From the first Ballon Bleu Flying Tourbillon, that was launched in 2007, to the spectacular Rotonde Flying Tourbillon Mysterieuse from the 2013 collection.

When we look at Cartier’s 2014 collection, two new amazing pieces were added; the Rotonde de Cartier, Astro Calendar, Tourbillon, a kind of watch that was never presented by any other brand before that our REVO USA Editor, Jack Forster wrote about (that you can find HERE )and the Rotonde Tourbillon Chronograph that will be the focus of our attention now.

There are certainly enough models to choose from, for the one that has taken the decision to step up to a tourbillon watch. Through the years, tourbillon watches, were in most cases, created as time only models and also started out that way, when in 1801 the tourbillon as complication, was invented by Abraham Breguet.

Since Cartier launched their Fine Watch Making line, the brand has made it a habit to add, almost every time, something extra to their complications and as they have done here, with the new Rotonde Tourbillon Chronograph. Carole Forestier-Kasapi (head of Movement Design at Cartier) and her team had already designed several tourbillon calibers and for this watch, she decided to rely on Renaud & Papi to develop a new caliber. This had to have a column-wheel chronograph, equipped with a lateral clutch, and an 8 day power reserve.

The 8 day power reserve of this watch is cool and practical, and it is an absolute joy to wind with its large sapphire facetted cabochon, located between the vertical shaped pushers.

It is handy that this doesn’t need to be done every day, so the watch is still ready to go, when you strap it on, after a long weekend on the golf course or at the beach.

As with most timepieces from the Fine Watch Making Collection, the white galvanised guilloché underneath the Roman numerals gives a deep almost three dimensional effect that, for a tourbillon watch, is quite unusual and a very attractive layout for the dial. The three round circles, one for the tourbillon on the left, the minute counter on the right and power reserve indicator in the middle, gives the watch a powerful and instrumental look.

The Rotonde Tourbillon Chronograph is available in a 45mm pink gold case only and produced in a limited edition of 50 pieces.

Time flies since the Fine Watch Making Collection was launched and I would almost say; La Maison Cartier, has now also become ‘Lá Maison des Tourbillons’.

–GEO is contributor of Revo-Online & Revolution Magazine and passionate about Cartier, independents and fine watchmaking.

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