The Art of The Dial: Exploring Cartier’s Maison des Métiers d’Art


Rotonde de Cartier 42-mm watch, Panther

The face of the panther on the dial of this watch, introduced in 2013, is made of 22-karat yellow gold. Cartier creates the panther using the granulation technique, which Cartier says is like “sowing seeds of gold.” Cartier makes gold beads using wires that are cut up, rolled in charcoal dust and heated with a flame. The beads are then assembled one by one and fused with the gold sheet to create the relief of the panther face. The panther is made up of nearly 3,800 gold beads, attached to the dial in groups of five. It took about 320 hours to attach the beads. Some 3,500 firings were required to complete the picture. This limited-edition watch (20 pieces) comes in an 18k-gold case with brilliant-cut diamonds. Inside is Caliber 9601 MC, a manual-wind manufacture movement. Price: $248,000.

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Ronde Louis Cartier 42-mm watch, Two Panthers

The two panthers on the dial of this new watch are produced by filigree work with the application of lacquer and with gem-setting. The filigree technique uses 22k-yellow-gold wire and 950-platinum wire, which are twisted and flattened by a hammer. The wire is then shaped to form the panthers and then soldered. The filigree work for this dial took 10 days to complete. The panthers’ eyes are emeralds. The watch is a limited edition of 20 pieces. The 18k-gold case is set with brilliant-cut diamonds. Inside is a manufacture movement, manual-wound Caliber 430 MC. Price: $186,000.

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  1. Rotulación a Mano

    Amazing, love to see arts and crafts in all splendor.

    Reply
  2. Pedro Maiz

    The toucan is the one and perhaps only one I like. I don’t like blue tigers.

    Reply
  3. Debashish

    Enjoyed your article immensely, thanks!

    This type of articles compels me to visit your website at least once every day and induces me to purchase your magazine regularly.

    Reply
  4. CCN 1410

    Fantastic! Great technique and a lot of patience is required.
    Congratulations to Cartier and also to its employees.

    Reply
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