The Rotonde de Cartier Annual Calendar

The Rotonde de Cartier Annual Calendar made its first appearance this year at the watch show in Geneve. It’s a very large time piece with a case measuring in at 45 millimeters. The watch offers a new capability in which the crown adjusts all functions of the watch. Two versions of this watch are available. The first is available with an 18-karat white gold case and a black leather strap. The other version is available in pink gold with a brown leather strap. The function that makes this watch so unique and appealing is the multi-layer dial. Each layer is in charge of keeping track of a specific time. The first layer of the dial contains a weekday scale. The next layer out contains roman numerals for displaying the current hour. After that one will see the month scale and then last but not least, a minute track that runs in the outside rim. By the 12 hour roman numeral, one can find a date window, another great calendar function of The Rotonde De Cartier Annual Calendar. This luxurious time piece contains blue sword shaped minute and hour hands that point to the hours while red hammer shaped hands with only the tips showing, point to the week and month scales.

The Rotonde de Cartier Perpetual Calendar

The Rotonde de Cartier Perpetual Calendar is available in two versions just like the Rotonde de Cartier Annual Calendar. The first variation contains a polished round pink gold case. The other version offers a polished round white gold case. Both of the cases measure in at 40.5 millimeters in diameter, a decent average size watch that will fit just about any man. Both come with black alligator straps that contain gold clasps. The gorgeous silver dial is elegantly decorated with guilloche. The dial contains blue sword shaped minute and hour hands that point to large black roman numerals which indicate the hour. There is also a centrally located thin blue pointer that points to the date displayed on a circular scale inside of the outer rim. Located at the hour six, one will find a retrograde weekday indicator. Located at the hour twelve, one will find a disk that shows the month as well as a leap year. The crown is an absolutely stunning feature of the watch. It is decorated with cabochon blue sapphire and beads.

2012 has been good to Cartier so far, it will be difficult to top what they have accomplished thus far.

Cartier, the French jeweler and luxury watch manufacturer headquartered in Paris, is currently hosting an ongoing exhibition inviting artists from around the world to express themselves using mathematic principles.

Mathematics: A Beautiful Elsewhere

The exhibition, which began Oct. 21 and will run until Mar. 18, is being held at the Fondation Cartier in Paris. Its doorsand walls are open to mathematicians and artists alike, attempting to inspire the collaboration of ideas between two major properties of watch-making theory: Art and math.

Developed in partnership with IHES, the Institut des Hautes Etudes Scientifiques (Institute of Advanced Scientific Studies) and sponsored by UNESCO, the five-month exhibit seeks to showcase creative landscapes that thematically link to art and mathematics, the pillars of Cartier’s creations.

Many contributed to the exhibition who are not traditional artists. The overseers of the creation included eight global leaders in mathematics and science—Sir Michael Atiyah, Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, Alain Connes, Nicole El Karoui, Misha Gromov, Giancarlo Lucchini, Cedric Villani, and Don Zagier—each of which stems from a different discipline within their craft, with backgrounds in theory, partial differential equations, probability, biology, and multiple types of geometry. Joining these leaders were nine artists, chosen for their willingness and ability to learn complicated material, and from it create magnificence to share with the masses.

The artists, each of whom has been exhibited at the Fondation Cartier, or Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art, included Jean-Michel Alberola, Raymond Depardon, Claudine Nougaret, Takeshi Kitano, David Lynch, Beatriz Milhazes, Patti Smith, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Tadanori Tokoo, and Pierre Buffin and company, or “BUF.” Collaborating to transform mathematics, a typically abstract thought process, into a relatable experience for the human senses, these inventive thinkers succeeded in creating something both resplendent and satiating.

Considered a rare model of corporate philanthropy in France, the creative space was initially intended to serve as a meeting place for art and the generable public. Established in 1984 by the President of Cartier International at the time, Alain Dominique Perrin, the Cartier Foundation continues to promote public awareness of modern artistic endeavors. One way the center has done this is organizing a program each year based on an artist or theme that allows for a rich collection of artistic expression. Perhaps its most unique characteristic is its encouragement of combining the visual arts with other types of human expression—like mathematics—by embracing fields of varied subject matter. This year’s exhibit, Mathematics: A Beautiful Elsewhere, muffles the expected elitism of a luxury company like Cartier, and fosters artistic media that is praised by the public for its originality and accessibility.

Cartier Watch

Cartier watches as part of a new campaign and product offering is providing less ostentatious and less expensive watches than its regular watches in tune with the current market and current economy.

This strategy is winning market share for Cartier particularly with its discreet timepieces such as the brand’s best-selling Ballon Bleu collection. The company expects to have grown by 25 percent in the fiscal year ending in March, 2012 compared to an overall industry growth of 20 percent.

Cartier history

Cartier is a well known French jeweler and watchmaker company that started in 1847. The company still has the name of the family of jewelers who started the company but who lost control of the company in 1864. The Cartier company was one of the first companies to make a wristwatch which was made in 1904 for the Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. The company has a history of serving royal families and received a royal warrant of supplier by King Edward VII of Britain in 1904. The company also sells a variety of luxury items including glasses, perfumes and other accessories. Cartier is also contemplating opening 20-30 more boutiques in 2012 mainly in South America, Asia and Europe adding to the 310 outlets the company already has worldwide.

Cartier Foundation

The Cartier Company also includes the Cartier foundation founded in 1984 as been responsible for redefining corporate sponsorship in France. The foundation has been a very strong voice in pushing the agenda of contemporary art and wants to bring the arts to the largest audience possible.

Mathematics Exhibition

The foundation is currently running a Mathematics Exhibition from October 2011 to March 18, 2012. The exhibition will focus on creating new, original and innovative creations that will be developed in partnership with the Institute des hautes études scientifiques (IHÉS, the Institute of Advanced Scientific Studies) and the patronage of UNESCO. As part of this exhibition and partnership, the Foundation Cartier has invited mathematicians and renowned artists to work together and express mathematics in a way that will inspire the intellect and the senses.

There are a number of activities that are being done under this exhibition. One is called the living library in which people can come into a library and rather than check out books, they borrow people for 20 minutes. The people give them a story about their own lives related to mathematics. This activity will take place on Tuesday January 30 –31, February 7 and 14, 2012.

When the brand name “Cartier” is mentioned or seen, one thinks of class, prestige, craft, and elegance. Exactly what the company was built on and continues to stand for to this day.

The well-known brand was founded in 1847 by Louise-Francois who took over the jewelry store he worked at in Paris. He was only 29 years old when he began this journey to becoming one of the most respected names in jewelry and watches.

Alfred, Cartier’s son ,followed in his footsteps and took over the business in 1847. He was a huge fan of the pocket watch and wanted to expand that part of the company, in which his father didn’t put too much effort.

After hearing Alberto Santos-Demon, a well-known pilot, make a comment about how unreliable pocket watches are during flight, Alfred jumped at the occasion to create a piece that would fit the needs of every pilot. The “Santos” collection came into the world.  The basic design was that of a wrist watch and is still being made today.

Thirty years later the brand expanded its locations to London, New York City, and St. Petersburg; the brand was  on itsway to becoming one of the most advantageous names in the watch making industry.

In 1942 Louis Cartier passed away, leaving the business at a loss. The company couldn’t keep the dream that Cartier had built alive. The company’s profits began to dwindle and even worse the brilliance that once was, was gone. The artist had died and couldn’t be replaced.

It wasn’t until Alain Perrin was appointed the new CEO in 1972, that Cartier get a second breath of life.  Perrin spent most of his life dealing with antiques; he used his experience and innovated ideas to create a new line of timepieces.

Today Cartier takes the world by storm with its unique designs that cater to the rich and famous. The company recently revealed this year’s new pocket watch design. The design was taken from pieces created in the 1930s, but with a modern twist, and will be revealed to the world this year at the SIHH in Geneva.

Even with Cartier’s ups and downs, it has been able to stay on top over the years and is nothing less than impressive.

Cartier's first minute repeater watch, to be revealed at SIHH 2012.

Written by: Vanessa Formato

When it comes to this year’s Salon de la Haute Horologie (SIHH), Cartier Watches is pulling out all the stops. Among the many exciting reveals the luxury watch giants will be making at the event is their very first minute repeater watch, the Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon.

Cartier has been anticipating this moment for some time now: the Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon has been in development for approximately five years, making the upcoming reveal in Geneva all the more exciting. The watch will feature complications like its namesake flying tourbillon and minute repeater, as well as some elegant visual details like blue hands and accents on the titanium version, accompanied by Cartier’s signature Roman numerals on the face. The flying tourbillon and the repeater mechanisms are visible through the piece’s face, a design aspect that is sure to delight enthusiasts. The watch will also be available in pink gold.

The watch’s availability will be extremely limited. Cartier plans to release only 50 watches in each casing. In addition, only 20 of these artisanal watches can be produced per year, so the demand for the pieces is sure to quickly skyrocket. This isn’t a watch for the casual collector with price tags set at $287,000 for the titanium casing and $294,000 for the pink gold casing. Reportedly, there is also a diamond-accented version planned for future release.

A repeater is a complication that is capable of chiming the time at the press of a button (unlike striking clocks or watches, which sound the time at regular intervals). The increments of time that these watches are capable of tracking is dependent on the kind of repeater implemented. A minute repeater is capable of sounding the time down to the minute through a series of different tones to denote hours and minutes. Minute repeater watches were once a valuable and practical resource for watch-wearers operating in the dark as well as for the visually impaired, but light-up displays and other alternatives for the blind have largely taken their place. Today, they are primarily prized by watch enthusiasts for their intricacy and increasing rarity.

This year’s SIHH will be held January 16 through 20 in Geneva. The event is a private trade fair open only to invited individuals in the fine watch-making community.

The Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie or SIHH is a private, invitation-only event which features only 18 premium watchmakers. Per the SIHH website, the SIHH is where brands premiere their latest watches which are often the result of years of rigorous research.  The SIHH is also the place where watchmakers and designers, the representatives of an entire creative team, share their passion for watchmaking.The SIHH along with BaselWorld are the two major premium horology events that take place annually around the world.

The Cartier name is globally recognized for high-end jewelry and timepieces. The French brand was founded in 1847 in Paris and has been making pieces for royalty as well as celebrities for many years. Cartier has been hailed as the Jeweler of Kings by a Prince of Wales and often received orders for tiaras for coronation ceremonies in Britain as well as other countries.

With a rich history such as Cartier’s, it would only be appropriate for Cartier to be one of the exclusive brands to present their pieces at SIHH 2012.

The Cartier Cadran Love Tourbillion Watch

The Cadran Love Tourbillion Watch is delivered in a 46.2mm white gold case. The case captures attention with a sapphire-set crown at 3 o’clock with a hand-wound mechanical Cartier Calibre 9458 MC movement. The caliber supplies a 50-hour power reserve and has a black alligator watch strap.

Cartier's Masse Secrete Panther Decor Watch

The Masse Secrete Panther Décor watch is a piece that certainly demonstrates Cartier’s passion with jewelry with all of the dazzling diamonds and a white gold panther walking across the black watch dial. The watch features a patent mechanical 9603 caliber movement, which has 633 components much of which is made of precious stones and metals. The vibration rate of this movement is 28,800 vibrations per hour. The power reserve is for 48-hours before its needs a rewind in the movement to get back the energy.

Cartier's Skeleton Grant Complication Pocket Watch

And finally is the Skeleton Grant Complication Pocket Watch. Cartier’s Fine Watch Movement Developer Carole Forestier says “This pocket watch is something we really wanted to make. The idea came from vintage Cartier watches which we reworked.” The outcome of Cartier’s idea is a splendid skeleton case, sculpted from a solid 400-gram block of gold, whose Roman numerals enclose the heart of the watch which is also skeletonized. The complications in this timepiece, assembled from 457 parts, are a tourbillon at 6 o’clock, a monopusher chronograph and a perpetual calendar.

Cartier continues to make waves in the horology and jewelry making trade. The extravagant and quality craftsmanship that Cartier is famous for; along with their premium pricing will make any person feel like royalty.

Cartier watches, best known for their exquisite watches and jewelry, also has a foundation in Paris, France. Currently running until March 18, 2012, the Fondation Cartier is hosting a mathematics exhibition to bring together great thinkers in the world of mathematics and in the art world today called Mathematics: A Beautiful Elsewhere.

The Cartier foundation exhibits beautiful works of art, starting with the building itself. The Fondation Cartier was designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. Jean Nouvel boasts an impressive resume and is renowned all over the world for his beautifully modern designs. As well as designing the Fondation Cartier building, he has designed well over forty structures in countries all over the world including: the United States of America, France, Austria, and Japan to name a very few.

The Fondation Cartier exterior

Within the halls of Nouvel’s grand design until March 18, 2012, Cartier will be bringing together a wonderfully curated collection of pieces as they relate to art as well as hold sessions for great mathematical thinkers to speak. Taking their theme from mathematician Alexandre Grothendieck’s expression, “a sudden change of scenery,” the Fondation Cartier opened their doors to the mathematics community to help curate the exhibition. Only with the help of the number of scientists and mathematicians who helped plan and curate the event could have Cartier watches pulled off such a unique exhibition.

Eight scientists and mathematicians act as overseers of the exhibition, although many more participated. They are Jean-Pierre Bourguignon, Alain Connes, Sir Michael Atiyah, Nicole El Karoui, Giancarlo Lucchini, Misha Gromov, Don Zagier and Cédric Villani. Each were selected for their unique studies and as a whole, they represent a very diverse range of mathematics and geography. Paired with these mathematicians and scientists are nine artists who were chosen for their abilities to listen and for their unparalleled sense of wonder and curiosity. These nine artists are: David Lynch, Raymond Depardon, Claudine Nougaret, Takeshi Kitano, Jean-Michel Alberola, Beatriz Milhazes, Tadanori Yokoo, Hiroshi Sugimoto and Patti Smith. All of these artists have been featured in past Cartier exhibitions. Together, these teams of mathematicians and artists worked together to help transform the abstract ideas and theories of mathematics into a visually stunning and coherent exhibition that can be enjoyed by anyone whether they are mathematicians, art lovers, or just regular people.

Not only will visitors to this exhibition be able to experience the wonders and beauty of this mosaic of art and mathematics by being physically present, but they will also be able to explore deeper the features of the exhibition catalog digitally through an iPad app.

Cartier watches’ long history of fine craftsmanship in their jewelry extends to their exhibitions at the Fondation Cartier. The same diligence and expertise employed to their expert jewelry craftsmanship is visible at the Fondation Cartier.

Cartier Fondation's, "Mathematics: A Beautiful Elsewhere" poster

Cartier's Must Have Men's Watch

This Cartier watches men’s timepiece breaks all the rules.  The CARTIER MUST 21 CHRONOSCAPH MENS WATCH W10172T2 is not your standard run of the mill Cartier creation.  The Must 21 is a must have for any up and coming young professional (with an extra $3,000 burning a hole in his pocket).  It features a grey dial with a patterned texture that kind of reminds me of a men’s suit.  The chronographic sub dials are presented in silver and perfectly match the steel case and bracelet.  The CARTIER MUST 21 CHRONOSCAPH MENS WATCH W10172T2 has a big and bold bezel that has been engraved with Roman numerals.  Cartier offers both a solid steel and a steel and black version of bracelet…both suit the watch’s design and are equally elegant.  What impresses me most about the CARTIER MUST 21 CHRONOSCAPH MENS WATCH W10172T2 is the way Cartier has pulled it all together.

Famous for their designs, Cartier is no novice to watchmaking, but the CARTIER MUST 21 CHRONOSCAPH MENS WATCH W10172T2 shows that you can teach an old dog a new trick.  The look is completely masculine and sophisticated and the Swiss quartz movement will keep ticking for many years to come.

Cartier Watches Tank Divan Falls Short

Cartier Watches Tank Divan Women’s Black Alligator Watch W6300655 may suit some, but it leaves much to be desired by me.  Honestly, the Tank Divan isn’t a good representation of Cartier.  The styling is much too heavy and really doesn’t follow Cartier watches style at all.  Maybe if this were a men’s version I would have a different opinion, but for a women’s timepiece I think it is too masculine and stiff in style.

Cartier Watches Tank Divan Women’s Black Alligator Watch W6300655 offers details that (on paper) sound wonderful.  The large rectangular dial and thick black alligator band of the Tank Divan sound opulent, but the end result is just too manly for my taste.  If I’m going to spend a couple of thousand dollars on a new Cartier…I really want everyone to know it’s a Cartier on my wrist.  This watch doesn’t give off that feel of timeless style, but it is a high quality piece.

Whether you are drawn to the styling of this watch or not, one thing is for certain…it is a Cartier and Cartier’s are well made timepieces.  All of the finest materials are used and the Cartier name means long lasting quality and accuracy, which is really what we want in a watch.

Cartier Watches Make Great Gifts

Ladies, are you hoping for the ultimate in luxury watch for your anniversary, this year?  If so, you are probably wishing for a Cartier.  Cartier watches offer a style and distinction, which no other watch maker can match.  The company has been fitting both royalty and celebrities with fabulous timepieces since 1847.  Yes, their reputation precedes themselves, and they’ve earned it.  If you are wearing a Cartier design on your wrist, it will get noticed, so which one will you choose?  Let’s look at one of the best selling women’s watches; The Cartier Tank Americaine.    These watches represent Cartier, beautifully.  They are not flashy, but their design is decidedly Cartier.  The elongated rectangular dials of the Tank Americaine and the delicately displayed Roman numerals are signature Cartier qualities.  If you are only going to own one Cartier watch, this might just be the perfect pick for you.  It’s stylish and elegant, and will compliment any outfit.  The price ranges, greatly depending on whether you get a leather strap or a gold bracelet, but there is one for every pocket book.  The Cartier Tank Americaine watch makes a great gift.  Let him know exactly what you want this year…a Cartier watch.