foversta
[PuristSPro Moderator]
20814
Hands on review of the Rotonde 8-days Power reserve
During the last weeks, we have talked several times about the new Rotonde Small Complications. Actually, the novelty brought by Cartier with these watches is the ability to get more complicated watches than the usual 2 or 3 hands pieces with stainless steel cases and so to offer them with more affordable prices. We don't have to forget that previously Cartier unveiled a quite wide range of watches which can be considered as belonging to this "small complications" segment but of course, with gold cases.
The Rotonde 8-days Power reserve is one of these watches. It is a watch I appreciate a lot because it manages to combine the classic approach of the Rotonde case and a quite unusual dial lay-out which brings it character. The Pink Gold case is very typical of the Rotonde line: a slender and balanced style, a 42mm diameter, the typical fluted crown decorated with a cabochon sapphire. Of course, some may argue that 42mm is too large for a dress watch. It is the reason why it is important to observe more carefully the dial.
Once again, the dial gathers the typical Cartier details which define its style in the Rotonde context: the large peripheral Roman figures (the hidden signature being in one leg of the VII), the silvered guilloché pattern and the apple-shaped hands in blued steel. The case diameter allows to preserve the Roman figures. The only elements which are overlapping them are the different displays of the watch: the large date at 7, the second hand subdial at 5 and the power reserve indicator at 11.
The original dial lay-out breaks any symmetry if you consider it horizontally or vertically. Even the brand name is located on the right side. It is at the end an excellent way to create a different harmony and to avoid the watch to enter a too boring style. I do believe that when a watch uses several displays, the perfect symmetry could lack spice on a long run. Of course, Cartier created this "unbalance" with a lot of care to the details. The central ring seems to unite the three displays and it is a very nice visual effect. The guillochage also nicely decorates the dial and gives subtle shades of light. The dial may appear to be a bit too busy at first glance but everything remains very legible.
I would like to also highlight another important detail which explains the originality of this watch. Look at the 3 displays: they have different sizes and shapes. These aesthetic gaps bring, at least for me, a very positive energy on the dial design.
The dial lay-out doesn't come obviously from scratch. It is the consequence of the use of the caliber 9910MC which comes from a JLC caliber base. And, if you remember well, the same configuration was used in the context of the Tortue 8 days.
The Tortue 8 days:
Credits: SRG
The long power reserve explains the interest of the presence of the power reserve indicator, dial side. It is not the first time that JLC offers this caliber to another Richemont company. The PAM 190 from Panerai was using the same base. But with a main difference. Look at the caseback of the Cartier:
And then of the PAM 190:
Credits: Bill
The power reserve indicator finds again with the Cartier its original location, dial side, like it is the case with the JLC. The JLC 8 days uses the caliber 877 and we can spot two main differences when compared with the Rotonde:
- the JLC features a day&night display
- the decoration styles of the movement are quite opposite: very sober with Geneva stripes in the context of Cartier, more demonstrative with a sunrays pattern in the context of JLC.
The Caliber 877:
Thanks to the dial lay-out, when I put the Rotonde 8-days Power reserve on the wrist, I didn't find it outsized. First of all, the watch is comfortable and the folding clasp allows to precisely set the strap. And then I could appreciate the harmony of the dial. It is the reason why I consider this Rotonde as a very charming watch because it manages to embody a kind of quiet originality thanks to the combo between its character and its classicism. I would like to add that despite the very long power reserve, the daily winding experience is almost mandatory thanks to the pleasure given by the JLC base. So why should we have to wait for one week before winding the Rotonde? It is even better everyday!
Thanks to the team of the Cartier boutique of Capucines.
Pros:
+ the elegance of the Rotonde case
+ the dial design and lay-out
+ the efficiency and reliability of the JLC caliber
+ the long power reserve
Cons:
- I prefer the decoration style by JLC for this caliber
This message has been edited by foversta on 2014-12-14 13:35:00
The Rotonde 8-days Power reserve is one of these watches. It is a watch I appreciate a lot because it manages to combine the classic approach of the Rotonde case and a quite unusual dial lay-out which brings it character. The Pink Gold case is very typical of the Rotonde line: a slender and balanced style, a 42mm diameter, the typical fluted crown decorated with a cabochon sapphire. Of course, some may argue that 42mm is too large for a dress watch. It is the reason why it is important to observe more carefully the dial.
Once again, the dial gathers the typical Cartier details which define its style in the Rotonde context: the large peripheral Roman figures (the hidden signature being in one leg of the VII), the silvered guilloché pattern and the apple-shaped hands in blued steel. The case diameter allows to preserve the Roman figures. The only elements which are overlapping them are the different displays of the watch: the large date at 7, the second hand subdial at 5 and the power reserve indicator at 11.
The original dial lay-out breaks any symmetry if you consider it horizontally or vertically. Even the brand name is located on the right side. It is at the end an excellent way to create a different harmony and to avoid the watch to enter a too boring style. I do believe that when a watch uses several displays, the perfect symmetry could lack spice on a long run. Of course, Cartier created this "unbalance" with a lot of care to the details. The central ring seems to unite the three displays and it is a very nice visual effect. The guillochage also nicely decorates the dial and gives subtle shades of light. The dial may appear to be a bit too busy at first glance but everything remains very legible.
I would like to also highlight another important detail which explains the originality of this watch. Look at the 3 displays: they have different sizes and shapes. These aesthetic gaps bring, at least for me, a very positive energy on the dial design.
The dial lay-out doesn't come obviously from scratch. It is the consequence of the use of the caliber 9910MC which comes from a JLC caliber base. And, if you remember well, the same configuration was used in the context of the Tortue 8 days.
The Tortue 8 days:
Credits: SRG
The long power reserve explains the interest of the presence of the power reserve indicator, dial side. It is not the first time that JLC offers this caliber to another Richemont company. The PAM 190 from Panerai was using the same base. But with a main difference. Look at the caseback of the Cartier:
And then of the PAM 190:
Credits: Bill
The power reserve indicator finds again with the Cartier its original location, dial side, like it is the case with the JLC. The JLC 8 days uses the caliber 877 and we can spot two main differences when compared with the Rotonde:
- the JLC features a day&night display
- the decoration styles of the movement are quite opposite: very sober with Geneva stripes in the context of Cartier, more demonstrative with a sunrays pattern in the context of JLC.
The Caliber 877:
Thanks to the dial lay-out, when I put the Rotonde 8-days Power reserve on the wrist, I didn't find it outsized. First of all, the watch is comfortable and the folding clasp allows to precisely set the strap. And then I could appreciate the harmony of the dial. It is the reason why I consider this Rotonde as a very charming watch because it manages to embody a kind of quiet originality thanks to the combo between its character and its classicism. I would like to add that despite the very long power reserve, the daily winding experience is almost mandatory thanks to the pleasure given by the JLC base. So why should we have to wait for one week before winding the Rotonde? It is even better everyday!
Thanks to the team of the Cartier boutique of Capucines.
Pros:
+ the elegance of the Rotonde case
+ the dial design and lay-out
+ the efficiency and reliability of the JLC caliber
+ the long power reserve
Cons:
- I prefer the decoration style by JLC for this caliber
More posts:
Hands on review of the Rotonde 8-days Power reserve
During the last weeks, we have talked several times about the new Rotonde Small Complications. Actually, the novelty brought by Cartier with these watches is the ability to get more complicated watches than the usual 2 or 3 hands pieces with stainless ste...
my grail watch!
Been waiting to find one of these used for several years now. They never come up.
Great review of the Cartier Retonde 8 days.
Reminds me of both the JLC eight days and the Panerai 190 eight days. But Cartier has added their own DNA. I liked the interpretation sans the power reserve on the front but as an essential function of the watch I can see the choice they made. Another gre...
