Photo: Cartier

For its SIHH teaser, Cartier makes the barrel-shaped case incredibly irresistible again with models in a classic style as well as a dual time zone option.

Cartier introduced the tonneau shape to a wristwatch in 1906 as another viable alternative to the round watches. Two years earlier, the Parisian house had already bucked convention when it debuted the Santos with its square case.

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Platinum (left) and pink gold (Photo: Cartier)
Above Platinum (left) and pink gold (Photo: Cartier)

Based on the original model, the Tonneau watch has been reinterpreted with new materials, namely pink gold or platinum case, each limited to 100 pieces. The polished, rhodium-plated Roman numerals and railway track have been refined for a more modern flair, while the crown is topped with an eye-catching ruby cabochon – red for the pink gold, blue for the platinum. Powered by the manual winding 1917 MC calibre, the dial is champagne for the pink gold version and silver for the platinum model.

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Dual time zone in platinum (left) and gold (Photo: Cartier)
Above Dual time zone in platinum (left) and gold (Photo: Cartier)

Also rendered in either pink gold (limited to 100 pieces) or platinum (20 pieces) is the two-time zone model that features an openworked dial with separate displays for the time zones. Each time display is adjustable via the dedicated crowns at ‘2’ and 4’.

To fit the elongated form of the case with its curved underside to fit comfortably on the contours of the wrist, the wheels of the manual 9919 MC calibre are aligned in a straight line from top to bottom, lending it a unique aesthetical feature that can be viewed via the transparent caseback.

Also see: 5 watches from the Cartier Libre Collection that reshape the perception of time

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