Original price was: £3,050.00.£2,550.00Current price is: £2,550.00.
In stock
The Cartier Clé de Cartier represents a contemporary masterpiece in the maison’s storied horological collection. Named for its distinctive key-shaped crown (“clé” meaning “key” in French), this elegant timepiece introduces a fresh silhouette to Cartier’s repertoire while maintaining the brand’s signature refined aesthetic that has captivated connoisseurs for over 170 years.
Presented on an integrated stainless steel bracelet that flows seamlessly from the case, this sophisticated 40mm timepiece showcases a silvered flinqué dial with sunray effect creating a captivating interplay of light and shadow. The balanced proportions offer versatile elegance suitable for diverse wrist sizes and occasions, while the signature blue-steel sword-shaped hands and classic Roman numerals maintain the unmistakable Cartier design language that defines horological luxury.
Condition: Immaculate pre-owned condition
Includes: Original box and warranty
Guarantee: Valid until 2027 (dated December 2019)
Shipping: Free UK delivery
Since its founding in 1847, Cartier has established itself as “The Jeweller of Kings and the King of Jewellers,” creating timepieces that have graced the wrists of royalty, celebrities, and discerning collectors worldwide. The Clé de Cartier collection, first introduced in 2015, represents a significant addition to the maison’s distinguished watchmaking portfolio, demonstrating Cartier’s continued ability to innovate while respecting its illustrious heritage.
The collection’s defining feature ,the key-shaped crown, reflects Cartier’s genius for transforming functional elements into distinctive design signatures, an approach that recalls the brand’s earlier innovations such as the revolutionary square Santos (1904) and the iconic rectangular Tank (1917). The Clé continues this tradition of elegant innovation, marrying technical excellence with the refined aesthetic that has made Cartier timepieces coveted symbols of sophistication and status for over 170 years of uncompromising luxury.
The distinctive key-shaped crown represents the defining characteristic of the Clé de Cartier collection, giving the watch its name (“clé” means “key” in French) while demonstrating Cartier’s exceptional ability to re-imagine fundamental watch components. Unlike traditional cylindrical crowns, this innovative rectangular design rotates smoothly like turning a key, providing tactile feedback with a satisfying click when returned to its original position after time or date setting.
This elegant solution combines ergonomic functionality with aesthetic distinction, transforming a purely utilitarian component into a signature design element that immediately identifies the timepiece as a Clé de Cartier. The crown is crowned with a synthetic blue spinel cabochon, maintaining Cartier’s tradition of incorporating precious stones into functional elements. This innovation exemplifies Cartier’s design philosophy of finding beauty in functionality, proving that even the most basic watch components can become expressions of artistic excellence when approached with creativity and craftsmanship.
The Calibre 1847 MC represents Cartier’s commitment to horological independence, being an entirely in-house automatic movement developed and manufactured by the maison. Named for the year Cartier was founded, this sophisticated calibre features bidirectional winding for efficient power generation and delivers a reliable 40-hour power reserve that ensures consistent timekeeping even when unworn through weekend periods.
The movement incorporates advanced anti-magnetic technology through nickel phosphorus components and paramagnetic alloys, providing crucial protection against magnetic interference encountered in modern daily life from electronic devices and magnetic fields. This technical sophistication ensures the movement maintains accuracy despite contemporary environmental challenges, while the precision rating of -4/+6 seconds per day demonstrates exceptional timekeeping performance. The combination of reliability, magnetic resistance, and impressive power reserve makes the 1847 MC a technically accomplished heart for this elegant timepiece, proving Cartier’s capability in both aesthetic design and mechanical engineering.
The silvered flinqué dial with sunray effect represents a pinnacle of Cartier’s dial craftsmanship, combining traditional guilloché techniques with contemporary finishing methods. The flinqué process involves creating fine geometric engravings on the metal base through precise engine-turning, which is then covered with translucent silver coating that allows the underlying pattern to show through while adding luminous depth.
The sunray pattern radiates from the centre, creating dynamic light play that changes with wrist movement and varying lighting conditions throughout the day. This delicate artisanal finish provides sophisticated depth and dimension to the dial surface, while the crisp black Roman numerals and signature blue sword-shaped hands ensure excellent legibility against the textured background. The result achieves perfect balance between decorative refinement and functional clarity, demonstrating how traditional craftsmanship techniques can enhance both aesthetic appeal and practical usability in contemporary watchmaking.
The Clé de Cartier achieves remarkable versatility through its thoughtful balance of formal elegance and contemporary sophistication. The 40mm case size occupies the optimal dimensions that work well for most wrist sizes, providing substantial presence without overwhelming smaller wrists or appearing insufficient on larger ones. The integrated steel bracelet provides sporty sophistication appropriate for business environments, while the refined dial and distinctive crown ensure sufficient elegance for formal occasions.
The watch’s design successfully bridges traditional dress watch refinement with modern casual elegance, making it suitable for everything from boardroom meetings to weekend social gatherings. The stainless steel construction offers durability for active wear, while the sophisticated finishing and classical Roman numerals maintain appropriate formality for black-tie events. This adaptability makes the Clé de Cartier an excellent choice for individuals seeking a versatile luxury timepiece that can serve as either a cornerstone piece in a broader collection or as a comprehensive “one watch” solution for diverse lifestyle requirements.
Within Cartier’s extensive range of iconic watch designs, the Clé de Cartier stands out as the maison’s most contemporary interpretation of classical elegance, representing a deliberate evolution of Cartier’s design language for the 21st century. While legendary collections like the Santos and Tank represent historic designs from the early 20th century that established Cartier’s reputation in watchmaking, the Clé (introduced in 2015) offers a thoroughly modern silhouette while maintaining unmistakable Cartier DNA.
The rounded case with flowing lines represents a significant departure from the geometric shapes that characterise other Cartier collections, yet signature elements like Roman numerals, blue sword hands, and the cabochon-set crown maintain clear family connections. This balance of innovation and tradition makes the Clé particularly appealing to collectors who appreciate Cartier’s heritage but seek a fresh expression of the brand’s design philosophy. The collection successfully captures contemporary aesthetic preferences while preserving the timeless elegance that has made Cartier synonymous with luxury watchmaking excellence for over a century.
The Clé de Cartier represents an ideal entry point into luxury watchmaking due to its perfect balance of accessible design and authentic prestige. Unlike more complex or niche luxury watches that might intimidate newcomers, the Clé offers immediately recognisable elegance through classical elements like Roman numerals and the distinctive Cartier aesthetic, while the innovative key-shaped crown provides a conversation piece that distinguishes it from generic luxury timepieces.
The versatile 40mm size and integrated bracelet eliminate the complexity of choosing accessories or worrying about proportion issues, while the comprehensive warranty and established service network provide confidence for long-term ownership. The watch’s timeless design ensures it won’t become dated, protecting the investment value that’s crucial for first-time luxury buyers. Most importantly, the Clé offers authentic luxury heritage and craftsmanship at a more accessible price point than many complications-focused pieces, allowing newcomers to experience genuine Cartier quality while developing their appreciation for fine watchmaking without overwhelming technical complexity.
For any purchases online, we offer a 14 day refund as long as they are returned exactly as sold. Any purchases in person are final.
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