Restoration of vintage watches and assembly of ultra-complications are done in a small atelier.
Practically any vintage timepiece can be restored here, including clocks, pocket watches and pendant watches. And by restoration I mean the entire object, not just the movement. For example the diamond-set bracelet for this vintage ladies’ watch with the tiny LeCoultre cal. 104 below was remade from scratch.
Frequently, vintage Cartier watches with EWC movements are seen here, including the ultra-slim pocket watch below.
More recent complicated or complex watches are also serviced here.
Below: An 8-days calibre from La Joux-Perret, followed by a Tortue monopusher chronograph movement with tourbillon from Renaud et Papi
When the original parts are no longer serviceable and spares unavailable, the parts have to be made from scratch, either turned on a lathe here or if necessary made on the CNC machines in the manufacturing or prototyping departments. Frequently such parts have to be designed from scratch.
Below: Drawing for a replacement wheel
This workshop also does after-sales service for high complications, including movement overhaul and polishing.
Below: Timing tests followed by polishing
Because the watchmakers here are exceptionally competent, assembly of ultra-complications is also performed here. Assembly of bespoke or custom order complicated watches is also done here. So for instance the skeleton, monopusher chronograph with perpetual calendar and tourbillon is cased here, though the movement is from Renaud & Papi.
Below: A skeleton monopusher chronograph with perpetual calendar and tourbillon before casing
And this concludes the tour of the Cartier manufacture. My thanks to the team at Cartier Paris, Singapore and Geneva who made this amazing visit possible.
- SJX
This message has been edited by SJX on 2010-07-08 07:39:01