Reuters has just reported that Richemont has appointed Stanislas de Quercize, as CEO of the Cartier.

"De Quercize, at present CEO of Richemont subsidiary Van Cleef & Arpels, will replace long-time Cartier chief Bernard Fornas at the end of the year when Fornas is due to retire, Richemont said."

International Watch magazine says, "De Quercize will be succeeded as CEO of Van Cleef & Arpels by Nicolas Bos, currently creative director of Van Cleef & Arpels and chief executive of Van Cleef & Arpels North America."

Cartier is the cash cow of the Richemont group, according to analyst Jon Cox, "Cartier represents half of group sales and two-thirds of operating profit."

The Cartier Masse Secrète Panther Decor Ladies' watch was unveiled during the Salon International de la Haute Horology show last month in Geneva and although it may look like a typical haute joaillerie piece -- it is not.

Yes, it has the prerequisite diamonds, in their perfect pavé settings -- but there is a secrète. The Panther motif you see on the dial - in white gold, paved with diamonds and black lacquer spots - is not just for looks. The Panther is also the oscillating weight which winds the movement's mainspring, which powers the hour and minute hands. The mechanical movement is visible through the sapphire case back, and because of this unique configuration, has the aesthetics of a manual movement, while maintaining the convenience of an automatic. Furthermore, Cartier watchmakers took special care to make sure the Panther does not spin uncontrollably, as it is on the dial side and that would deter from reading the time.

READ MORE

Cartier introduced a large selection of timepieces at the Salon Internation de la Haute Horology (SIHH) last month. Apart from the amazing minute repeater tourbillon, the beautiful high jewelry pieces and the skeletonized Santos - the model that really stands out to me is the Cartier Tank Anglaise.

The Cartier Tank Anglaise is a generously sized tank-shaped (rectangular) wristwatch. It is part of the newly revived vintage inspired Cartier Tank series, which also includes the Tank Américaine and Tank Française.

READ MORE

Cartier will be introducing the Rotonde de Cartier Cadran Lové Tourbillon at SIHH 2012 in January.

The 18k polished white gold case measures 46.4 mm in diameter. The manual-winding movement, Caliber 9458 MC, features a flying tourbillon, Geneva Seal, 19 jewels, 167 parts, runs at 21,600 (3 Hz) and has a power reserve of 50-hours. Functions include hours, minutes and tourbillon seconds.

Sapphire crystal on the front and case back. The crown is a beaded and set with a cabochon sapphire. Water-resistance is 30 meters. Folding clasp in 18k white gold.

Limited series of 100 individually numbered timepieces.

This is a short video that demonstrates Cartier's new Astroregulator, which was introduced at SIHH 2011 in January. The Astroregulator features a complication, that like a tourbillon, offsets the negative effects of gravity on the movement. Cartier spent five years developing Calibre 9800 MC Astroregulator, a mechanical movement that was designed, developed, produced and assembled in-house.

READ MORE

(Click image for gallery - 2 photos)

For SIHH 2011, Cartier introduced a new skeletonized version of their iconic Santos timepiece - the Santos Dumont Black Titanium. Measuring 39 mm x 47 mm, the rectangular case is made of titanium and is coated in Cartier's version of Diamond Like Carbon (ADLC). The crown is made of ADLC coated titanium as well, and features a faceted black synthetic gemstone. The dial displays hours and minutes, and is skeletonized in the form of Roman numerals. The movement is a manually wound Cartier calibre 9612 MC, and has a 72-hour power reserve. A black alligator strap with an ADLC-coated white gold deployant buckle is included.

Ref W2020052

Press Release PDF

Retail $41,500

Source: Cartier

When I first saw the photos of the Cartier Concept ID One, I thought it was basically a Cartier Balloon Bleu with a darkened case, darkened movement and a trimmed rotor. But after reading about this concept piece, that was designed and manufactured by Cartier, completely in-house. That is when I realized, that the aesthetic elements, are just the beginning of the story behind this timepiece.

READ MORE

The Cartier Santos 100 chronograph is treated with a special amorphous DLC coating. Cartier says this specific treatment process is used on military equipment and that they have the exclusive rights to use this treatment for watches. What makes it different than other DLC treatments?

READ MORE