The Breitling Watch Blog

A rare review of a ladies watch – but this is such a stunner, I had to review it! This is the model WB520005, featuring a beautiful 18k pink gold ellipse case, first introduced by Louis Cartier in 1906. This beautifully crafted piece is the largest of the Baignoire line, featuring a case measuring 44mm x 34.07mm and is 10.05mm thick. It is a statement piece from Cartier, with many little features and highlights that I’ll talk about.

First a frontal shot to really appreciate the watch and the presence it carries. Two rows of brilliant cut diamonds, totaling 149 and a reverse set brilliant-cut diamond in the crown with a total carat weight of 1.44. The dial is silver flinque-engraved, and features Cartier’s signature roman numerals.

The reverse-set diamond in the crown is truly a thing of beauty, and a very unique feature from Cartier that really sets the watch off. It may be one of my favourite features of this watch! A nice change of pace from the usual sapphire cabochon. The sides of the case are polished 18k pink gold.

The mechanical manual winding caliber 430 MC is in-house designed and looks fantastic through the sapphire see-through caseback. It is signed and features the Cartier logo monogram on the bridges. Its rare to see a ladies watch with a mechanical movement these days, with most electing to have quartz so this is a nice little bonus.

The 18k Pink Gold deployant clasp a precision crafted thing of beauty! It requires folding of the strap for installation and will not take most aftermarket straps. I also purchased a fuchsia crocodile strap for this watch and it costed about $300. It is not as easy to user-replace as others from Cartier, but it is doable.

Lastly a beauty shot, which unfortunately came out a little fuzzy. Still a heck of a looker that any woman would be proud to wear on her wrist! This might be one of the most beautiful, yet slightly understated (if it weren’t for the diamonds) luxury ladies watches out there. The long case allows it to stretch across the wrist, and really shows it off, while still being comfortable and relatively light and wearable.

Specs:
Model: Large model
Case Material: 18K pink gold, diamonds
Strap: Fabric strap
Size: 44mm x 34.07mm
Thickness 10.05mm
Reference: WB520005

A very cool little read about some key dates and times in the history of the development of the Wristwatch from the first wristwatch created in 1868 until the present. Was just emailed this by Borro, and its a short read, but very interesting. Shows how some of the brands we see today such as Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier and even Swatch contributed to the evolution of the Wristwatch as we know it today:

http://www.borro.com/luxury-watches/history-of-wristwatch/

Posted the video review of my beloved Cartier Calibre. One of my favorite watches in my collection, and continutes to be one of my go-to staples. I really enjoy this watch. For some reason the video is showing up squashed, but Youtube has been having some problems for me lately.

Finally got a chance to review one of my mini-grails that I picked up a few months back: The Cartier Calibre. I’ve owned several Cartiers in the past, but none of them really hit the spot for me. I had considered picking up a Roadster Chronograph, until the prices starting going up. Then came the Cartier Calibre, introduced at SIHH 2011. I simply had to have it!

The beautiful large aperture sapphire crystal covered dial is looks larger than one might presume from initially looking at it. The case measures 42mm in diameter, and features a cool screwed on crown guard with a larger blue cabochon inlaid in it. The watch has a small seconds at 6 o’clock, and an extra-large date window at 3 o’clock.

The dial has luminumous square-dots at 12, 3, 6 and 9 o’clock as well as luminous hands. The dial is relatively “flat” in design, with only slight grooves and raised indices. The bezel is an inverted shape angling inwards towards the dial, giving the watch a saucer-like shape on top and the majority of the stainless steel surfaces are brushed.

A good shot of the crown guard and cabochon, as well as the screwed-in bracelet and lug holders. Notice the machining detail on the crown guard and the superb finishing quality. The bracelet is similar to an oyster bracelet with recessed middle links and also ressembled the Roadster bracelet, but with a wider middle link. It is extremely comfortable and features a double butterfly clasp with no lock.

The new Cartier 1904-PS MC Movement featured in the Cartier Caliber is a completely in-house movement, and finished quite well featuring 27 Jewels. Nothing too fancy but great Geneva Striping in very cleanly designed bridges. The ball-bearing mounted Rotor is signed very simply and lends to the understated class of the watch. Notice the very flat case back with sharply down-turned lugs.

And finally the a good wrist shot of the 42mm diameter watch on my 6.75″ wrist. The watch to me wears much larger than 42mm, and seems to feel like a 44mm watch. It wears very flat to the wrist due to the case shape and the lug shape, which reduces the amount of perceived bulk on the wrist. While being the size of a sport watch and wearing closer to those types of dimensions, I feel that the Calire still feels more at home with a suit or business/smart casual type of dress, and less with T-shirt and jeans. Overall a superb watch that I absolutely love to wear.

With SIHH starting, there are tons of new models introduced. Some of the most notable in my opinion are the offerings from Cartier’s new Manufacture In-House movement department. They have some new models out including the Cartier Caliber and The Cartier Rontondo Astro.

The Cartier Caliber Collection. Beautiful watches from Cartier with does a fine job of combining the signature Cartier look with new and modern looking cases and dials. 42mm and available in steel and gold.

The Cartier Caliber 1904PSMC. Cartier’s first completely in-house designed Automatic Movement.
27 Jewels
28,800bph
48 hours power reserve

Cartier Rotonde Astro Tourbillon. In-house caliber 9451MC manual winding movement with Tourbillon complication.

Some very nice pieces from Cartier for sure. Also a really neat looking piece that will obviously cost two arms and six legs from Panerai..

Panerai Radiomir Tourbillon GMT Ceramique PAM348 with the in-house Panerai P.2005/S movement.

Another Panerai is the Mare Nostrum Re-Issue in a HUGE 52mm Size. Very cool looking:

Keep your eyes peeled for more new models from SIHH 2010!