Cartier Calibre Chronograph featuring a Roman chronograph silver dial

Recently promoting Top Gun: Maverick in Mexico City, actor Tom Cruise was wearing a 42mm Cartier Calibre Chronograph in stainless steel featuring a Roman chronograph silver dial. In the sequel to the 1986 movie ‘Top Gun,’ which was a huge commercial hit and has reached mythical status, Hollywood legend Tom Cruise reprised his role from the first film as test pilot ‘Maverick.’

Overall Review

In 2010, the Calibre de Cartier was unveiled. This was the first Cartier in mass manufacturing using an in-house movement. It had previously only been used in a few of the Parisian product’s high-end timepieces.

A solid stainless steel bezel and an inscribed 0-60 second display are attached to Cartier’s iconic circular 42mm stainless steel casing. It alternates between polished and refined surfaces. The two Chrono subdials and the bezel also feature a beveled style. Although the bezel’s outer edge is totally cleaned, the interior has a satin-like surface. This thus contrasts wonderfully with the case’s predominant brushed finish.

An artificial spinal blue cabochon is placed in the seven-sided crown on the steel version. It is simple to modify because the push-in crown is a reasonable size, yet it isn’t too big to grind into your wrist. The pushers actuate in a clean, precise manner.

The brand-new 1904-CH MC caliber featuring column-wheel and a central vertical clutch is housed within the Calibre de Cartier Chronograph. It comprises 269 parts, 35 of which are gems, strikes at 4 Hz, has a max power reserve of 48 hours, and double barrels. A sapphire case back provides a peek inside the beautifully polished movement. It features circle graining on the mainplate and Côtes de Genève (Geneva stripes) on the bridging and oscillation weight.

The dial has a snailed portion and a silvered opaline finishing, making it appear white. On the top portion of the dial, the hours are indicated by the distinctive Roman numerals of Cartier, and on the bottom part, by conventional indexes. While the other 6 Roman numerals are engraved, the Roman numeral XII (12 o’clock) is embossed (transferred). The indicators have a bright finish and are printed.

The hourly and minute markers are formed like enormous swords and are made of black oxidized steel with a luminous coating. The chronograph counter indicators and the middle second hand are dark, without lume.

The date is shown in a horizontal panorama pane at six o’clock. The Chrono hourly counter, as well as minute counter, are located at 9 and 3 o’clock, respectively, on the bi-compax dial arrangement. With curved rings studded with diamonds, every subdial features a snailed finishing.

A sapphire crystal that has been glare-proofed and is slightly rounded guards the dial edge. With eight screws holding a flat sapphire crystal display, the caseback is made of stainless steel. 

The steel bracelet has a crown thickness of around 23 mm and a clasp thickness of approximately 20 mm. The refined central links match perfectly with the brushed finish of the bracelet’s other links. In addition, the Cartier Calibre Chronograph has up to 100 m of water resistance.

Price market: $8,000.00 USD

 Watch reference: W7100045

 Photo: Getty Images