The watch : Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon
Buoyed by the extravagant size of the skeleton Roman numerals, a distinctive brand signature, the Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon asserts its powerful aesthetic at first sight. On closer inspection, it reveals the full measure of the mechanical creativity that the Manufacture has been displaying in recent years. This complex watch featuring a dual-time indication, a tourbillon and a moon phase, is nonetheless a model of functionality and readability. Majestically enthroned in the upper part of the pink gold case, a first polished meteorite stone dial symbolizes Earth, with a dual-time disk rotating around it in 24 hours. The lower part is home to the tourbillon and also reveals the moon phase on demand. Pressing the 4 o’clock pusher causes the Moon portrayed by a meteorite stone disk to partially or entirely conceal the tourbillon, with the resulting crescent indicating the age of the Moon. The visual strength of this splendid function is highlighted by a 3D immersion into the heart of the case.
Its architectural alter ego : 1111 Lincoln Road, Miami, by Herzog & de Meuron
In 2005, the city of Miami decided to develop a new multi-purpose, mixed-use building at 1111 Lincoln Road. Designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, the project was inaugurated in 2010.
Located at the heart of one of the city’s most dynamic and lively streets, the building is entirely in tune with the development and expansion of the district. Housing a car park, a shopping mall, as well as a private residence, the architecture of the building represents a complete break with all known traditional design codes and indeed totally reinvents them.
The architects offer a façade-free structure open onto the outside world and revealing the heart of the building, with majestic proportions playing across several levels. The modular areas are also designed to host temporary events. The sculptural unenclosed staircase connecting all floors is located at the center of the building and enables visitors to discover the premises, with natural circulation inevitably leading to vantage points from which to enjoy panoramic ocean views. The car park is distinguished by concrete slabs serving as ramps, columns and floor plates, with the location and form of these elements resulting from a series of forces acting upon each other.
The overall architecture plays with light, chiaroscuro effects, solids and voids, radiating structural simplicity within conceptual complexity.
The same mindset can be seen in the shapes and structure of the Rotonde de Cartier Earth and Moon. Both of these fascinate and intrigue us, capturing our attention by superimposed elements, and showcasing inseparably entwined and complete mastery of both technology and history.2005, the city of Miami decided to develop a new multi-purpose, mixed-use building at 1111 Lincoln Road. Designed by Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, the project was inaugurated in 2010.
