At SIHH 2016, Cartier unveiled the Drive de Cartier, an unabashedly masculine watch from the French brand that was instantly recognizable and more importantly, accessible. A versatile watch – it was introduced with seven references including two complications and in a choice of steel and precious metals like rose gold. The entry level model in stainless steel was priced at $6,250.
This year, the brand added an ultra-slim dress watch to the mix. The new Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat has a slender profile that hugs the wrist. At just 7 mm thick, it is 40 percent slimmer than the original from last year at 11.5 mm, and promises to be a discreet presence beneath the sleeve of a dinner jacket. One of the stand-out features of the Drive de Cartier range was the presence of the clean lines and that distinct shape.
The dial of the Extra Flat features a sunray satin-finish dial that is fitted with a flat sapphire crystal. The characteristic Roman numerals take up quite a bit of real estate on the dial. There is no subsidiary seconds dial on this watch, unlike the time only example from last year. The sword-shaped minutes hand skirts the bottom of the numerals and the winding crown again is shaped like a bolt, a nod to the design of classic automobiles.
The Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat watch is fitted with the in-house Caliber 430 MC, a handcranked movement based on the ultra-thin Piaget 430P. A 3 Hz movement with a power reserve of 36 hours, it has previously been used in watches like the Cartier Tortue Extra Thin.
Available in pink gold, or in a limited edition of 200 pieces in white gold, the watch is fitted with an alligator leather strap. Understated and elegant, this is a really elegant new dress watch for men from Cartier.
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