Feline hourglass

Cartier has caused a sensation with this new model, based on the idea of the hourglass, and with a thousand golden balls on either side of the dial that flow down to form the stylised head of the brand’s favourite animal, the panther

The first time a panther appeared in the Cartier collections was in 1914. Since then, the feline has become the symbol of the Parisian brand and its creative, velvet paw can be found practically everywhere, with jewellery and watchmaking being particularly favourite hunting grounds. So, it is no surprise to see it at the SIHH among the new models introduced by Cartier, particularly on a much talked about piece: Révélation d’une Panthère.

While at first sight this model – a pink gold Ronde Louis Cartier watch – seems to have no special features, the magic occurs when you move its black lacquer dial towards you, by gently turning your wrist. A thousand little golden balls “fall” from the upper part of the dial like a shower of jewels and run from all directions towards the lower part of the dial. In the process, the tiny spheres gather together to form the stylised head of the famous panther, while unveiling the hour and minute display in the background. While they are “falling”, two curved Breguet “moon” tip hands made of pink gold appear on the dial.

This ephemeral picture arising from a modern reinterpretation of the hourglass is the result of a technique imagined, designed and patented by Cartier.

The 37mm-wide case is topped with a bezel set with 45 diamonds and containing a pearled crown, also set with a diamond. It houses the calibre 430 MC, a manual winding movement driving the hour and minute hands.

Révélation d’une Panthère also exists in a green or red version, in two limited editions of 100 pieces each.

Price: 108,000 EUR or 111,000 CHF

By Sharmila Bertin