It’s fun to reminisce about childhood, because the memories that stick out are often the embarrassing scenes, the secret mischievousness and the ridiculous behavior of desperately trying to grow up. But beyond that, I can’t forget the hourly chimes in my Cheap Cartier watches grandmother’s room and how she opened the door underneath the wall clock and used the key to wind it up. The clock, which should have been obsolete in the modern style of decoration, was treasured by my grandmother as a symbol of her memories. (Watch model: WJCL0031)
Always innovative and avant-garde, Cartier has looked to the past for inspiration, to an era when watches were wound and set the time with keys. Combining this source of inspiration, Cartier has reinterpreted the modern crown and created a winding crown that resembles the way it was historically wound. This new sapphire-set crown became the hallmark of the collection, hence the name Clé de Cartier. The new Clé de Cartier watches with glossy fuchsia crocodile leather straps are a dream come true, like a mauve dream.
As time goes on and on, the memory of our childhood becomes more and more blurred, the year when we laughed and the year when we fell down. The Clé de Cartier Key collection, with its nostalgic design, seems to recall a time when keys were used for winding and setting the time, bringing us back to our childhood.
The 31 mm case in 18-carat pink gold is perfect for a slender wrist. The dial features a guilloché dial with sunburst effect, 10 brilliant-cut round-cut diamonds as hour markers, sword-shaped blued steel hands and a date window at 6 o’clock.
The crown, which resembles a key and is topped with a sapphire in 18-carat rose gold, is the finishing touch to the watch. The crown, which must be unscrewed in order to wind the watch or to set the time, resembles the winding key of an old watch. After winding or setting the watch, the crown is returned to its original position with a pleasant “click”.
This watch is equipped with the new Cartier 1847MC caliber, a refined self-winding movement developed, crafted and assembled by master watchmakers at Cartier’s Swiss Watchmaking Workshop. It takes its name from the year 1847, the year in which the brand was founded, and reflects the exceptional care and attention that Cartier has devoted to this movement. The 25.6 mm diameter, Côtes de Genève-decorated movement is self-winding in both directions and has a power reserve of 40 hours.
Only exquisite watchmaking techniques can stand the test of time, and only watches that stand the test of time can be treasured as collector’s items that seal memories. With a history of nearly one hundred and seventy years, Cartier’s constant innovation in design and its relentless pursuit of precision and accuracy make this dream watch a collectable memory.