Cartier - Masse Mystérieuse

1 0 Thursday 31 March 2022 Edit this post

Mystery clocks and watches represent a special chapter in the history of Cartier. They are referred to as “mystery” because their hands appear to float over the transparent body of the timepiece, with no connection to the movement.

The principle is based on an ingenious concept: the hands are not directly linked to the movement, but are attached to two crystal discs fitted with serrated metal edges. Activated by the movement, these discs then turn the hands, one for the minutes hand and the other for the hours hand. So that the illusion is perfect, the edges of the discs are concealed by the hour circle.

The latest expression of this fine watchmaking specialities is the new Cartier Masse Mystérieuse, a spectacular watch whose beating heart, a manufacture calibre in the shape of a semi-circle, is transformed into a skeletonised oscillating weight.

The Masse Mystérieuse watch brings together two of the Maison’s watchmaking signatures: the mysterious movement and the skeleton. The movement has not only been miniaturised to fit watch cases but, for this new creation, it has also been reimagined to make the oscillating weight a real ornament.

Housed in a 43.5 mm x 12.64 mm platinum case with a crown set with a ruby cabochon, the new calibre 9801 MC required eight years of work in order to ensure that the effects of gravity do not affect the chronometer. It took five different constructions before a prototype could be launched, with two further prototypes needed to develop the final version of the calibre.

The sword-shaped hands float in the space of the case, without being connected to any gears but also the whole movement seems weightless coming to life at the slightest touch of the wearer. All components that receive energy from the movement, transmission and regulation are integrated in the rotor.

In the centre, an ultra-sophisticated differential system - borrowed from the automotive industry - has been integrated into the movement to prevent the time display from being caught in the mass.

The mysterious rotor uses an innovative principle that ensures the balance wheel always remains in the same vertical position. For this to happen, the rotor rotates in both directions at an irregular speed.

Beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, this extraordinary movement guarantees an autonomy of 42 hours.

Matched to a semi-matt dark grey alligator leather strap, the Cartier Masse Mystérieuse is a numbered limited edition of 30 pieces with a price of Euro 305,000. A version in platinum set with baguette-cut diamonds, as well as a version set with baguette-cut diamonds and a platinum bracelet set with baguette-cut diamonds are also available. cartier.com

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