Cartier made waves with the debut of the men’s Drive de Cartier collection (hands-on here) that featured an all-new cushion-shaped case that has really seemed to resonate with longtime fans last year at SIHH. However, this year, Cartier has added two new models with the Cartier Drive de Cartier Moon Phases watch and the Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat. Initial impressions here are that the Drive de Cartier Moon Phases presents a sufficiently pleasant, yet somewhat option in steel or gold that adds variety to the collection and differentiates itself enough that it will be just right for some, and for others may simply say a “why not?” The Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat, however, looks sleek and sexy. I feel like the Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat realizes what the Drive de Cartier line should be all along to some extent. But the watch is only available in white or rose gold.
The Drive de Cartier Moon Phases Replica watch remains the size of a 40mm x 41mm cushion-shaped case and is crafted either from steel (shown here) or 18k pink gold. On the latter, the octagonal crown is made of 18k pink gold, and both models are produced with the best sapphire. Two blued-steel hands glide across the guilloche dial with the nice and popular Roman numerals. At 6 o’clock, you’ve got the moon phases sub-dial, and I can already tell the addition of the text reading “AUTOMATIC” is going to (ahem) “drive” some people nuts. So likely, it’s there because Cartier didn’t want a sudden break from the minute markers on the inner dial and because a lack of a second hand is common to quartz pieces. The white gap would look rather shinning, but it’s the only watch in the line that has the addition of this text, and all the models in the line including automatic movements. Maybe the aesthetic choice just outweighs anything else.
Cartier understands they will intend to take some folks with the fact that a steel model of the Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat isn’t available (at least, at present), but it has the confidence to enter the next year since its beginnings, the Drive de Cartier line is being sophisticated. We checked out a gold “small complication” model that had a busy dial and polarized people. I feel that the Drive de Cartier Moon Phases might get the same reception but the Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat is only a miracle, subtle stunner that makes me want an invite to a black-tie affair right now.
If there’s one word that Cartier is striving for in their development of this piece, I think it must be “timeless.” Anyway, whatever you may think of the Tank and Santos watches, there’s no doubt with their timeless appeal. I don’t think Cartier is there yet, but that’s not meant as harsh criticism, and rather that I feel that the brand is on the right path. If the Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat is a glimpse into where they are going, then I expect for SIHH 2018 and what they have to offer then.
The Drive de Cartier Moon Phases watch is matched with a semi-matte brown alligator leather band with a cost at $7,850 for the steel and $21,100 for the 18k pink gold. The Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat white gold variant has a restriction of a 200 piece run and comes on a semi-matte grayed alligator leather bracelet while the 18k pink gold model receives the brown. Prices for the Cartier Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat are $16,700 and $15,600, with availability beginning in April 2017 individually.