Back at the SIHH exhibition in January, Cartier introduced the cushion shaped Drive de Cartier collection, which ranges from a £5000 steel edition with just small second dial and date aperture, up to an 18ct gold version costing £18,200 that features a large date at 12 o’clock, retrograde second time zone at 10 o’clock, day/night indicator at half past three and small seconds at 6 o’clock.
There was even a limited edition model with a tourbillon at 6 o’clock.
Naturally, we gravitated towards the top end, admiring the 40x41mm 18ct gold case housing the self-winding calibre 1904 MC mechanical movement.
The classic silvered dial with blued steel sword shaped hands pointing at black Roman numerals, partially obscured in places by the complications, is a thing of beauty.
Even the choice of the semi-matt finish of the alligator skin strap was faultless for a watch we admire very much indeed.
