Debuted during SIHH in 2011 and developed completely in-house by Cartier, the timepiece took more than 5 years of research and development into the acoustics and art of announcing the time of day by means of sound. Produced as a limited edition series of 50 pieces only, the watch was available in pink gold or titanium like the present example. Dynamic in proportions, the timepiece measures at 45mm in diameter wears with incredible light weight thanks to the use of titanium, the metal also offers the highest gong mass to case mass ratio, allowing for optimal resonance throughout the watch. Symmetric and superlative in design, the dial exudes pure elegance from the “C”-shaped tourbillon carriage that indicates the seconds, to the classic Roman numerals, guilloché decorations paired with blued steel hands that are signature to the brand. Exposed at the 6 o’clock aperture in the open-worked dial, the organs and the display of the hammers can be admire anytime on the wearer’s wrist. To produce the constant striking of the hammers, the Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon watch is equipped with a mechanism known as an “inertia and friction governor”, which is particularly silent and sophisticated. Activated by the convenience of the oversized pusher at 8 o’clock instead of a traditional slider, the minute repeater enters into rotation as to control the speed of the winding of the minute repeater’s strike-train and at the same time ensures the regular emission of the notes sent out by the two gongs.

Turning the watch on its backside reveals the stunning in-house manual wound movement 9402 that bears the Geneva Seal marking the impeccable quality of craftsmanship that it proudly exhibits. Each movement is individually numbered, in this case number 11, and is comprised of 447 parts to produce a sound level of an incredible 68 decibels, beating at 21,600 vph with a power reserve up to 50 hours, the timepiece is also water resistant to 30 meters. Numbered 10 of a limited edition of 50 pieces, the present timepiece is preserved in excellent condition and is accompanied with its full set of accessories.