Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon
Cartier’s Earth and Moon offers a new and creative take on the moon-phase display. The tourbillon aperture represents the moon. Pressing the pusher at two o’clock brings the lapis lazuli disk out from beneath the upper portion of the dial. The lapis disk covers part of the tourbillon aperture, and the exposed portion of the aperture represents the current moon phase. So, for example, if the entire tourbillon aperture is visible, the moon is full. The moon-phase display is controlled by a cam, and it is accurate to one day in 126 years.
The time display features a second time zone, and the pusher at four o’clock advances the 24-hour display.
With its bright blue dial and 47-mm platinum case, the Earth and Moon is not for the meek. A limited series of 50 pieces will be priced at about €230,000, or about $316,500. For those desiring even greater exclusivity, Cartier will produce a 10-piece edition with diamond baguettes priced at about €490,000, or $674,000.
SPECS:
- Case: platinum
- Diameter: 47 mm
- Crystal: sapphire
- Caseback: sapphire
- Crown: beaded in platinum set with a blue sapphire cabochon
- Dial: lapis lazuli with an 18K white-gold grid in the form of Roman numerals
- Bezel: platinum
- Hands: sword-shaped blued-steel
- Case thickness: 16.65 mm
- Strap: black alligator-skin
- Clasp: double adjustable folding buckle in 18k white gold
- Water-resistance: 30 meters (100 feet)
- Movement: Manufacture mechanical with manual winding, Caliber 9440 MC, tourbillon, second time zone, moon-phase on demand
- Casing-up diameter: 17¼ lignes (38.8 mm)
- Total diameter: 40 mm
- Thickness: 5.65 mm
- Number of jewels: 40
- Number of parts: 362
- Balance: 21,600 vph
- Power reserve: approx. 3 days
- Limited series of 50 numbered pieces
