Replica Cartier Drive de Cartier Phases of the Moon, the review

More and more often I see watches on my wrist that are perceived and defined by the general public as “sporty but elegant” or “suitable for all occasions” and are labeled as “must-haves”. This group includes kids of my age (around 25 years old) who choose a brand because it represents a status symbol even before a watch and it is understandable considering that at this age we are approaching this world and we do not yet have sufficient knowledge of market and product.

I would like to try to make a reflection by reasoning with you readers about a particular collection: the Replica Cartier Drive de Cartier. Why particular? For the simple fact that it doesn’t appear so frequently among the desires of my friends, many of whom, I’m convinced, don’t even know it. The name, Cartier, needs no introduction, in jewelery as in watchmaking.

It was SIHH 2016 when the collection was presented to the public and from that moment it immediately achieved good success. Stylistically, the Cartier Drive de Cartier fills the gap between the Ronde de Cartier and the Santos de Cartier, addressing a preferably male audience, as expressed by its design which is clearly inspired by the world of (classic) motors.
In the Cartier Drive de Cartier I first find an uncommon synthesis of elegance and style, but what makes the Drive a spokesperson for these characteristics? The use of shapes. Cartier is queen in this, given the experience it also boasts in the jewelery field. Let’s look at the case, it is rectangular, almost square (41mm x 40mm) but the perception you get at the sight is that it is round and the polishing accentuates this sensation.

Elegance shines through in the clean lines and the reference to classicism in the color of the dial and in the use of Roman numerals instead of Arabic ones, which has always been a sign of recognition of a Cartier. The “dome” glass also plays an important role in the stylistic balance because it generates a volume that streamlines the watch and gives it an unmistakable personality. Finally, the lugs are well crafted and not too pronounced. The thickness, however, is not reduced as it might appear from the photos (11.25mm).

The other source of style and elegance is undoubtedly the dial. The play of shapes present on the case is reinterpreted using different processes. The external part, where the hour markers are arranged in a sunray pattern, is smooth while the central part features a guilloché workmanship (inspired by the grilles of a radiator) which generates interesting plays of light and shades. The dial is silver but a gray or black version is also available. I always like to underline that the index at 4 o’clock is made up of four consecutive Is instead of the canonical Roman numeral IV in order to give harmony and symmetry to the entire dial.

A detail that is not at all obvious. In this way, in fact, there are 4 indices characterized by the number I (I, II, III, IIII), 4 by the number V (V, VI, VII, VIII) and 4 by the number ). Even the design of the crown of a Cartier Drive de Cartier is not left to chance, but is inspired by a nut, like many found in engine assemblies; finally, the hands are in the shape of a sword in blued steel. Personally, I love these details, they enrich and characterize the watch wonderfully.

At 6 o’clock you can see the moon phase complication, introduced this year on the Cartier Drive de Cartier Moon Phase. There are many versions available and it is difficult not to find one that suits your tastes, especially when it comes to the variety of materials used. In fact, almost all models are available with both a steel and 18kt rose gold case. The available complications range from the classic hours-minutes-date-small seconds, to the marvelous time-only with flying tourbillon (even certified Hallmark of Geneva!), to the complicated with retrograde time zone, large date, day/night indication and small seconds, up to to the very elegant only time in white gold.

To complete the already vast range available, since last SIHH 2017, the version of the Cartier Drive de Cartier with moon phases (which replaces the small seconds) has been added. This is the version of the Drive that best meets my personal taste, it has a very clear vintage appeal and an uncommon warmth. Underscoring Cartier’s tradition as a watchmaker is the automatic 4Hz manufacture caliber 1904MC which guarantees 48 hours of power reserve. The name given to the movement is not at all random, 1904 is in fact the year in which Cartier began producing watches, while the additional acronyms present are the initials of the complication used (1904MC–PS where PS stands for “petite second” for example ).

The caliber is decorated with Côtes de Genéve and features refined technical solutions. One of the most important is the presence of two barrels which ensure an increase in the power reserve (increased by 14% compared to the 42 hours guaranteed by the 1847MC movement mounted on the Clè de Cartier) and greater precision throughout the power reserve, thanks to better torque distribution from the barrels to the timing train.
The barrel spring, as is known, does not constantly release its torque to the escapement, but releases more when it is fully wound, even more so if its dimensions become increasingly larger. Adopting two barrels therefore allows for two smaller springs which are able to guarantee a more constant release of torque, thus increasing the running precision of the watch and the duration of the power reserve itself.

The sapphire crystal on the bottom of the case allows you to admire the hairspring adjustment system which has the small screw connected to a Cartier C-shaped “cam” and the finely decorated rotor placed on a ceramic bearing. Details that make the difference on both an aesthetic and technical level. The Cartier Drive de Cartier is an interesting watch and different from anything the competition can offer. I am convinced that it will soon become an icon of the brand, as Santos already is, and the selling price when compared to the contents is highly competitive; if we exclude the gold and extremely complicated versions, a Cartier Drive de Cartier is positioned between 6100 and 8550 euros, depending on the versions.