Cartier, the undisputed master of mysterious timekeepers and the illusion of flying hands since 1912, when the French Maison partnered with the ingenious watchmaker Maurice Couet, unveils the Masse Mysteriéuse, a spectacular haute-horlogerie wristwatch that makes us rethink the perception of time. Its movement is not only miniaturized into a semi-circle, but also transformed into an oscillating weight that seems to float within the center of the case that is fully on display thanks to two sapphire panes.

The two hands that indicate the hours and minutes create the illusion that they move independently, with no obvious connection to the caliber 9801 MC. According to Cartier, this automatic manufacture movement is the brand’s most complicated as of yet and was developed over the course of eight years. It took five different designs before a prototype could be launched, with two further prototypes needed to come up with the final version.
Thanks to the skeletonized architecture of this oeuvre, the ingenuity of the design with all the superbly finished components is fully revealed to the eye. This traditional technique also adds to the illusion that the movement seems weightless. In the center, a refined differential system that was borrowed from the automotive industry has been integrated to prevent the time display from being caught in the mass.

The Cartier Masse Mysteriéuse is available in a limited edition of 30 pieces and has its entrance in pla...