Cartier first introduced the Drive watch in 2016, at the SIHH in Geneva. The Drive de Cartier is the watch of a man of passion and continues the long standing tradition of Cartier watches with distinctive shapes, with its character being cultivated in its cushion-shaped case.
With the patterning of the guilloché dial resembling the design of a radiator grill, the domed crystal, counter at 6 o’clock and the winding crown shaped like a bolt, the motor car is an indisputable presence in the Drive watch. This is an allusion that Cartier has diverted and enhanced, reinterpreting the distinction of its streamlined forms.
The first three Drive models were an hours, minutes, small seconds and date version, a second time zone, and a Fine Watchmaking version with a flying tourbillon, the watches respectively housing the 1904-PS MC, 1904-FU MC, and 9452 MC certified "Poinçon de Genève" manufacture movements.
In 2017, these Drive de Cartier watches were joined by two new models: a moonphase complication and an extra-flat watch that was 40% slimmer than the original model, with less than 7 mm thick. The Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat watch was fitted with the hand-wound mechanical movement 430 MC and available in pink gold, and in a limited edition of 200 pieces in white gold.
This Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat watch is back in 2018 with a choice of two new materials available: 18K yellow gold and stainless steel. The 38 x 39 mm case houses a silvered dial with signature black Roman numerals and blued steel sword-shaped hands. The watches are powered by the same 430 MC calibre. The gold version is worn on a grey alligator leather strap while the stainless steel watch is fitted with a blue alligator strap.
