A watch that we were patiently awaiting to see at the SIHH 2017 and one that is definitely part of our short list of favorite and most impressive timepieces this year is the Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon. 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.

The Dial

The new Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon features a fully carved case on the inside with no dial —fully openworked— and the skeletonization work is so impressive that it goes as far as revealing the hairspring on the 3.5 day barrel that provides a power reserve of 84 hours when fully wound. The openworked dial shows the mysterious double tourbillon with double axis rotation at 10 o'clock , 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 Minute Repeater

The second complication on the Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon is a Minute Repeater unlike other traditional minute repeaters and worth talking about separately. In order to maximize the sound quality and acoustics in general when striking the time, this exceptional timepiece is 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 Strap

The Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon is delivered on a black gomma alligator strap with titanium folding buckle.

The Movement

The new Cartier Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon is powered by the in-house Cartier calibre 9407 MC that is certified by the Poinçon de Genève. This manual wound movement composed of 448 parts and 45 jewels features a black rhodium finish and provides a power reserve of 3.5 days when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph —3 Hz. thanks to its 3.5 day single barrel.

On the Wrist & Pricing

On the wrist, the new Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Mysterious Double Tourbillon wears true to its 45 mm diameter size and quite light on the wrist thanks to its titanium case and skeletonized movement —total weight of the watch is only 63.8 grams. A timepiece that is impressive by all means and one of the coolest and less formal looking minute repeaters out there. The watch is available in a limited edition of only 50 pieces worldwide.

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