One of the most intriguing watches created by Cartier thus far is the new Ballon Bleu Tourbillon. The Ballon Bleu Tourbillon is Cartier’s first that incorporates the brand’s new 9452MC tourbillon movement, which bears the Geneva Seal hallmark. The Ballon bleu de Cartier Flying Tourbillon watch is watchmaking piece of art and it’s a great example of High Watchmaking Craft.
The Cartier Ballon Bleu gets its name from the sapphire cabochon crown which is incorporated into its rounded case and this version is no exception. It is crafted from 18K pink gold, and it measures 46mm across in diameter. The watch also features sapphire crystal on the face as well as the transparent case-back of the watch.
The heart of the Cartier watch is the 9452 MC caliber, an exceptional manufacture-crafted mechanical tourbillon movement with manual winding. It is comprised of 142 hand-finished parts and decorated with 19 jewels. The Ballon Bleu Tourbillon vibrates at the rate of 21,600 beats per hour and has a power reserve is 50 hours. Measuring 4.5mm in depth, it is driven by a flying tourbillon that has C-shaped index displaying the seconds.
A Tourbillon is a watchmaking wonder invented in 1795 by French watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet. It is postulated that a tourbillon counters the effects of gravity by placing the escapement and balance wheel in a rotating cage, supposedly in order to negate the effect of gravity. The Flying Tourbillon is neither supported by a bridge or cock, at both the top and bottom, rather it is cantilevered, being only supported by one side.
The placement of the Cartier’s Flying Tourbillon is designed to display the aesthetic appeal of this luxurious timepiece. Instead of placing the tourbillon carriage in its traditional position, protected between the bridges and the main plate of the movement, the tourbillon on the Ballon bleu de Cartier watch has been designed in order to maximise aesthetic appeal.
The slate-colored guilloche dial reveals a sun-ray open-worked grid with Roman numerals. It is completed with sword-shaped, blued-steel hands. The watch embraces the wrist with a brown alligator strap fitted with dual adjustment folding clasp. The Cartier Ballon Bleu Tourbillon retails for $96,500 and is available at select online retailers although you’d probably prefer to purchase at a brick-and-mortar.
Features of the Cartier Ballon Bleu Tourbillon include:
- Movement: mechanical with manual winding, 9452 MC calibre, bearing the Geneva Seal
- Case in 18-carat pink gold
- Also available in 18-carat white gold
- Diameter: 46mm
- Fluted crown in 18-carat ping gold set with a sapphire cabochon
- Sapphire crystal
- Transparent case-back with sapphire crystal
- Galvanic, slate-coloured guilloche dial, sun-ray open-worked grid with Roman numerals
- Sword-shaped blued-steel hands
- Brown alligator-skin strap with dual adjustment folding clasp in 18-carat pink gold
- Case: Diameter 44 mm without crown, thickness: 14.5 mm
- Water resistant 30m / 100 ft.
