Cartier is one of the most well respected luxury brands in the world and known for its excellence. The French company’s watches are a staple in affluent society due to their style and workmanship. But among high-end watch aficionados Cartier was seen as lacking in technical sophistication offered from the highest echelons of high-end luxury watch makers .

So five years ago Cartier set out to correct that area that could be seen as its weakness relative to their stellar product line. A new division was created dedicated to the production of highly complicated and technically challenging timepieces with movements made in-house by Cartier under the supervision of Carole Forestier. Each year since its creation the division has released new limited production models which began to gain notoriety among the horological enthusiasts.

This year at the SIHH 2012 Cartier is set to debut their finest timepiece yet, the new “Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon.” This is Cartier’s first attempt at a minute repeater watch, these types of watches mechanically “repeat” the time to the user via a series of chimes produced by a series of small hammers and gongs. The chines are activated from a push button close to the 7 o’clock position. Cartier used a button rather than the traditional slide for technical and weight saving issues. One of the reasons Cartier took several years to develope this watch was to seek perfection in producing one of the most harmonious minute repeaters on the market.

Cartier used a titanium case (45 mm diameter) which should produce a louder, clearer and more consistent chime sounds than other precious metals could produce. The sound is said to be measured at 68 decibels. An outstanding Catier innovation on this watch is a silent air governor which will eliminate the soft grinding noise that is common for watches with this complication.

Cartier will also offer the watch in 18k pink gold for those who like to be different.

The Cartier produced caliber 9402 MC is hand wound with 447 components and 45 jewels. The beautiful movement brings all the minute repeater functions to the front of the dial, which bears the seal of Geneva, which are viewable through the skeletonised face.

The final details are a blue sapphire crystal cabochon crown and a black alligator strap with double adjustable folding clasp in 18-carat white gold. Also the watch is water resistant to 30 meters. The piece will be limited production with 50 pieces in titanium and 50 pieces in pink gold.

This Rotonde de Cartier Minute Repeater Flying Tourbillon will rank among the best of a supreme line-up during the upcoming SIHH 2012.

Price +/- $290,000