Drive de Cartier – ‘Under A Raging Moon’
Last January, at the SIHH in Geneva, Cartier launched two new ‘Drive de Cartier’ models. Two models that, despite the name, not have that much in common besides the shape of the case and the large blued hands.
Drive de Cartier Moon Phases
One is the ‘Drive de Cartier Extra Flat‘, the watch that made headlines, as soon as it was presented, a stunning dress watch in white- or pink gold. And the other one is the ‘Drive de Cartier Moon Phases’ that we’re having here this week, a watch which is also not to be sneezed at.
The ‘Moon Phases’ model shares the typical details with the earlier ‘Drive de Cartier‘ models, that were launched last year. For instance the 40mm x 41mm cushion-shaped case, the guilloche dial and that beautiful domed crystal, that sets the model apart from most other Cartier watches. Sure it does give some distortion or reflection sometimes, but it also adds an almost vintage charm that I find hard to describe, it is something that needs to be experienced when the watch is on the wrist.
Next to the ‘Extra Flat’ version there are now four models; the ‘Time Only, the ‘Flying Tourbillon’, the ‘Small Complications’ and the new ‘Moon Phases’.
The ‘Drive with small Complications‘, we discussed HERE last year, is to me a unique concept. A great travel and every day watch, but for some the dial could be a bit busy.
For the ‘Moon Phases’ Cartier changed course and choose for a stunning minimalistic design without a date window and without a second hand.
I am sure many of us will embrace this serene concept. A ‘Moon Phase’ is my favourite- and also one of the more affordable and best looking complications, one can have. The fact that all unnecessary elements were left out, to drag all the attention to the ‘Moon Phases’, was a brave decision.
One disappointment however is the word AUTOMATIC, located underneath the Moon Phases, above the number 6. It was probably decided that it was necessary, to prevent that people might see this model as a quartz watch, since the second hand is missing. But in my vision it cheapens the watch a bit. The word automatic was not on the ‘Time Only’ model and it was not on the ‘Drive de Cartier Small Complications’ either, but both of these two models have a second hand.
The nicely shaped octagonal crown, set with a sapphire is easy to wind, but since the ‘Drive’ sports the automatic winding 1904-LU MC caliber with 48 hours of power reserve, winding is not really necessary.
To adjust the Moon Phases, there is a very small, hardly visible button, next to the crown, that can be pressed with a ballpoint, it should however be done with the supplied ‘pusher’, don’t worry, this needs only to be done, once in every 125 years. While these Drive de Cartier models, should not be seen as dress watches as they fit easily under a cuffed shirt but they look as great when paired with a suit as with a good pair of jeans and leather jacket. Cartier’s own caliber, based on their 1904MC, beats at 28800vph and offers 48 hours of power reserve.
The ‘Drive de Cartier’ with Small Complications will set you back Euro 8400,-; the new Moon Phases model, that will be available early April is set at Euro 7650,- Both models are delivered on a black or brown semi-matte alligator skin strap and Cartier’s 18 mm double adjustable folding buckle.
More information about the Drive de CARTIER
