Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon Platinum

In Context

At 47 mm this is exceptionally large for something worn on a wrist, closer to a pocket watch given lugs. At 16.65 mm it is very tall, and sits high off the wrist. The case back is open, so the movement is visible without taking the watch apart, and the sapphire crystal will resist everything short of deliberate abuse. Rated to 30 m, it is protected against rain and splashes and nothing beyond that.

The movement is hand-wound, so winding it becomes part of the day rather than something the watch does for you. 72 hours of reserve puts it well past a weekend — several days off the wrist and it is still going. At 21,600 vph the seconds hand advances 6 times a second, the slower and more audible rate of an older design.

W1556222 was introduced in late 2013 as a limited edition of 50 pieces. The case is platinum and paired to a dial in lapis lazuli with a white gold Roman grid. It was also available in baguette diamond-set case - this version was limited to 15 pieces. is one of 2 executions of the W1556222 base reference. Underneath they are the same watch; what separates this one is a blue dial and a platinum case. It was a limited edition. Introduced in 2013.

Hand-wound movement with tourbillon escapement and second time zone (24h). Moonphase on demand; at its wearers request, a round disc will obscure the tourbillon opening to indicate the moonphase.

2 other watches in the library run the Cartier 9440 MC.

Cartier

Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon Pink Gold

WHRO0013 · 47 mm

Cartier

Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon Platinum / Baguette

W1556222 · 47 mm