As a preview of the new watches that will be shown at SIHH 2013, Cartier has announced the new Calibre de Cartier chronograph with in-house 1904-CH MC movement. A chronograph is the obvious choice to extend the Calibre de Cartier line, since the watch case is intended as a sporty, masculine style.

This will be available in rose gold or steel, with the option of a leather strap with folding buckle or a matching bracelet.

The chronograph retains several of the design cues of the time-only Calibre de Cartier, like the three-date aperture as well as the prominent crown guards.

A thoughtful detail is the minute track that is engraved on the inner rim of the bezel.

Specs of the Calibre de Cartier chronograph:

Diameter: 42 mm
Crown: seven-sided crown in steel adorned with a faceted blue synthetic spinel
Crystal: sapphire
Case back: sapphire
Water-resistance: 100 m / 330 feet / 10 bars
Dial: silvered opaline dial, snailed in part, stamped on the XII numeral, the hour markers and aperture, Roman numerals and black transferred hour markers. Two snailed counters (hour/minute) with diamond-set bevel.
Bezel: steel with engraved rail-track
Hands: sword-shaped in black oxidised steel with a luminescent coating

And movement specifications:

Movement: Manufacture self-winding mechanical chronograph calibre 1904-CH, calendar window at 6 o’clock
Casing-up diameter: 11 ½ lines, 25.58 mm
Total diameter: 26.18 mm
Thickness: 5.71 mm
Number of jewels: 35
Number of parts: 269
Balance: 28,800 vibrations / hour (4Hz)
Power reserve: 48 hours
Finish: côtes de Genève

The movement is based on the 1904 MC and highlights include:

- Column wheel, visible through display back

- Vertical clutch Linear hammer for chronograph reset

- Double barrels

- Ceramic ball bearings for rotor 

- Bi-directional click winding mechanism

Notice that the chronograph construction is very similar to calibres from other Richemont brands, notably JLC.

For those wondering the click winding mechanism is similar to Seiko's magic lever.

Live photos to come soon.

- SJX