Marking the first time that Cartier associates a Mysterious Complication with a Minute Repeater, this is a double complication like no other. The new Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon. Fitted with a grade 5 titanium case measuring 45 mm in diameter and a mere thickness of 11.15 mm, this new watch is powered by the new Cartier in-house calibre 9407MC. Featuring a mysterious double tourbillon with double axis rotation, the flying tourbillon cage —with a total weight of 0.28 grams— makes a full rotation in one minute and then the mysterious sapphire disc holding the flying tourbillon cage makes a full rotation every five minutes. And just as if the rotation of these elements wasn't impressive enough, the two sapphire discs that create the Mysterious Complication illusion and to which the flying tourbillon cage is attached, are only 1 mm and 0.5 mm thick but can withstand shocks of up to 3000Gs to protect the tourbillon. The movement is also equipped with a 3.5 day barrel that provides a power reserve of 84 hours when fully wound.

But What's so Special About this Minute Repeater?

Now, the second complication on this watch is a Minute Repeater unlike other traditional minute repeaters. In order to maximize the sound quality and acoustics in general when striking the time, the new Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon features a fully carved case on the inside with no dial —fully openworked— and equipped with a pusher instead of the traditional lever found on minute repeaters. Based on four minute repeater principles: intensity, tonality, tone and deadening; this new watch has its movement and gongs secured to the case by only six screws in order to maximize the vibration of the gongs. Also for intensity, unlike traditional minute repeaters that feature fully rounded/cylindrical gongs, the new Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon features hardened steel gongs with a square shape in order to provide a larger contact point for the hammers and to increase the vibration velocity. To deliver superb tonality, the gongs are perfectly tuned to 'B 5th Octave' for striking the hours and 'D 6th Octave' for the minutes, these musical notes deliver perfectly harmonious high and low pitches.

The watch is certified by the Poinçon de Genève, the movement features black rhodium finish and the watch is delivered on a black gomma alligator strap. The manual wound movement has a diameter of 39.30 mm, is composed of 448 parts, 45 jewels and provides a power reserve of 3.5 days when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph —3 Hz. The new Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon is available in a limited edition of only 50 pieces worldwide. A Minute Repeater like no other and a watch that we can't wait to see in the metal in January as we report live from Geneva at the SIHH 2017. Stay tuned for our coverage and live pictures.

Sticker Price $449,400 USD. For more info on Cartier click here.