Cartier Clé de Cartier

Introduced in 2015, the Clé de Cartier collection shows the French house working with shape and the soft geometry of the case. Its name means ‘key’ and refers to the unusual crown: instead of a conventional round crown, Cartier's engineers and designers created a rectangular, key-like crown set with a synthetic sapphire, which gives a soft, distinctive click when winding, reminiscent of starting an old table clock.

The Clé de Cartier case has a smooth, flowing cushion-oval silhouette with no sharp edges. Integrated lugs and a slightly curved caseback make it very comfortable: the watch hugs the wrist, which reduces its apparent size and lets it slip easily under a shirt cuff. The dials follow the brand's classic codes: a central guilloché pattern, blued steel sword-shaped hands and large Roman numerals.

Mechanically, the collection was the launch platform for the wide use of the in-house automatic calibre 1847 MC. This calibre offers improved resistance to magnetic fields thanks to paramagnetic components and has a 42-hour power reserve. The line includes cases in stainless steel and 18-carat pink and white gold, as well as jewellery versions with diamond-set bezels.

Clé de Cartier is a pragmatic choice for those who like a strict, formal look and want an alternative to the more widespread Ballon Bleu or Santos lines. The watches are accurate and robust enough for everyday wear in the city.