Cartier's Magical, Mechanical Movements

Cartier designs have gained mass appeal. Their status has been heightened by their elegant designs, as well as their innovative, Swiss quality movements. Cartier offers three distinctive types of movements in their timepieces. Cartier produces their Quartz watches, the hand wound Mechanicals, and the automatic winding Mechanical watches. When looking to make a Cartier watch purchase, you will want to understand the differences in these different movements, and how each one will work for you. Today, I'd like to educate you on the hand wound Mechanical movement. What it is, how it works, and is this a good choice for you?

1. Where did the hand wound Mechanical movement come from? Hand wound Mechanicals are some of the earliest movements, dating back to the 13th century. At that time, these movements were ground-breaking. Certainly, watchmaking has come a long way since then, but hand wound movements are still popular, largely due to their continued accuracy.

2. How do they work? It works on the principle of centrifugal force. The winding of the watch, causes a winding of an internal spring. The spring wants to unwind, and when it does, the force it produces provides the energy source for the watch. The components that give rhythm to the movement are the spiral and the balance.

3. How often must I wind my Cartier Mechanical? In order to maintain proper functioning, this type of timepiece must be wound, everyday. It is highly recommended that you wind your watch at the same time each day, to ensure a constant rhythm.

4. Can I over wind the watch? Although, some of the hand wound Mechanical models are equipped with a safety mechanism to ensure you don't over wind, not all are. The best way to wind your Cartier watch is to take it off and hold it in the palm of your hand. Wind the watch slowly and feel for the tension. Stop winding when the watch dictates.

5. Why would I choose one? That choice is one of personal taste. The quality that goes into these individually created movements is exceptionally high, and the accuracy of these movements is undeniable, to within a few seconds each day. Although there is routine maintenance to consider, there are no electronics or batteries.

The choice to purchase a hand wound Mechanical Cartier timepiece is as individual as you. Whether you have a deep appreciation for the master watchmakers who, meticulously produce these amazing creations or just love that old world feel of winding your watch by hand...a Cartier hand wound Mechanical is a smart alternative.

Cartier's Magical, Mechanical Movements