The aesthetic of skeleton timepieces presents a flawless balance between the movement and the dial, making it seem as if the movement is suspended in air within the frame of the watch. This is certainly to be admired, and depending on how it’s carried out can be visually stunning while still retaining the readability of the dial. For Cartier’s 2023 skeleton releases, we are presented with new collections, each with its own iconic shape and design. The four collections being unveiled are: Santos-Dumont, Pasha de Cartier, Santos de Cartier and lastly a grand complications pocket watch.
Santos-Dumont Skeleton Watches
The iconic Santos-Dumont skeleton watch is now introduced in a new specially developed 9629 MC automatic skeleton calibre. The Santos-Dumont skeleton collection carries the elegance of the 1904 model, with visible screws, a beaded crown, and a blue cabochon, it features a skeleton movement with every structural detail paying homage to the aviator. The back of the timepiece also showcases a miniaturized functional oscillating weight in the shape of the Demoiselle replica, a trailblazing plane designed by the pilot in 1907.
The Santos-Dumont Skeleton collection comes available in three versions. A rose gold, steel, and a limited edition in yellow gold and navy lacquer. The navy lacquer in the yellow-gold version is presented in a number of details on the watch, including the bezel, case, and skeleton bridges. All three of the Santos-Dumont timepieces are presented in a 31mm square case with a water resistance of upto 30m (3bar).
Santos de Cartier Skeleton Watch
The Santos de Cartier Skeleton timepiece brings together the expertise of jewelry and high watchmaking. Through this combined expertise, it brings about a refined design that leaves its mark on this latest version of the Santos de Cartier. The timepiece is paved with baguette-cut diamonds and features a 9611 MC skeleton movement with manual winding.
The Santos de Cartier Skeleton is presented in a 47.5mm x 37.7mm white gold case set with 126 baguette-cut diamonds (totaling 5.88 carats). The faceted crown is set with a 0.22-carat brilliant-cut diamond. The watch is enhanced further by a more open-worked dial, which showcases the Manufacture manual winding calibre 9611 MC movement underneath the Roman hour indices which are interconnected with the case.
Pasha de Cartier Skeleton Watch
For the Pasha de Cartier, Cartier took its signature movement and matched it up with its oversized Arabic numerals. The symbolic design of the Pasha which is a square inside a circle has been more emphasised in this skeleton timepiece. Especially the details such as the square for the filigree rail track and the circle for the shape of the case. The Pasha de Cartier comes available with in a 41mm rose gold 750/1000 case with a fluted crown cap end set with sapphire. The movement beneath the Arabic numerals is the automatic winding calibre 9624 MC, operating at 4hz (28, 800 VpH) and a power reserve of 48 hours.
Rotonde de Cartier Grande Complication Skeleton pocket watch
The Cartier Grande Complication Skeleton pocket watch contains a minute repeater, a flying tourbillon, and a perpetual calendar, which equates to being one of the most complex movements ever created by Cartier Manufacture. The three of the most prestigious complications in fine watchmaking are bought together in the 9506 MC automatic calibre.
The skeletonised design of the 9506 calibre movement is optimised for its beauty to be appreciated, whilst of course, serving its purpose. Within the 56mm white gold 750/1000 case the perpetual calendar’s counters, time, date, minutes, the flying tourbillon, and finally the minute repeater’s gongs and hammers can be fully admired. The Rontonde de Cartier Grande Complication Skeleton pocket watch comes in two variations. One with white gold 750/1000 dial, hour markers, and a bezel covered in black lacquer, or the white gold case set with 263 baguette-cut diamonds (21.24 carats) with also the white gold dial set with 111 baguette-cut diamonds totaling 6 carats. Both variations carry the sam movement, which operates at a frequency of 3Hz (21, 600 VpH) and gives out a power reserve of 50 hours.
Reference: Santos-Dumont Skeleton Collection
Specification:
- Case: 31mm square case
- Case Material: Steel, Rose gold and Limited edition yellow gold
- Dial: Skeleton
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 30m
- Movement: Automatic Calibre 9629 MC
- Power reserve: 44 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: Blue alligator-skin, dark blue alligator-skin, grey alligator-skin, burgundy alligator-skin and brown alligator-skin straps.
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $50,500 (Steel), $66,000 (Rose Gold), $68,000 (Yellow Gold)
Reference: Santos de Cartier
Specification:
- Case: 47.2mm x 37.7mm
- Case Material: Rhodium-finish white gold 750/1000
- Dial: Skeleton
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 30m
- Movement: Manual Winding Calibre 9611 MC
- Power reserve: 72 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: Grey alligator-skin or black alligator-skin strap
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $49,500 (Steel), $57,500 (Two tone Yellow gold/steel), Rose Gold POA
Reference: Pasha de Cartier
Specification:
- Case: 41mm
- Case Material: Rose gold 750/1000
- Dial: Skeleton
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 30m
- Movement: Automatic Calibre 9624 MC
- Power reserve: 48 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: Black alligator-skin or grey alligator-skin strap.
Australian Recommended Retail Price: AUD $41,700 (Steel) Rose Gold POA
Reference: Rotonde de Cartier Grande Complication Skeleton pocket watch
Specification:
- Case: 56mm
- Case Material: White gold 750/1000 or White gold 750/1000 with 263 baguette-cut diamonds (21.24 carats)
- Dial: White gold 750/1000 dial, hour marker and bezel covered in black lacquer, white gold 750/1000 dial set with 111 baguette-cut diamonds totaling 6 carats, blued-steel apple-shaped hands.
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 30m
- Movement: Automatic calibre 9506 MC
- Power reserve: 50 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: N/A
