Complications
SJX provides an authoritative clarification on the Cartier Central Chronograph's movement, the Caliber 9907 MC, directly from the Cartier manufacture. This post addresses community questions about its origins and technical specifications, offering crucial details on how it differentiates from its JLC-based predecessors through Cartier's unique enhancements and finishing.
[Photo position edit for smaller computer screens - MTF]
As a follow-up to a recent thread (click here for the earlier discussion), I obtained the response from Cartier manufacture, thanks to Christopher Kilaniotis of Cartier Singapore.
Cartier 9907 MC central chronograph movement
The information below is from the manufacture. In summary, the cal. 9907 MC in the Central Chronograph is based on a JLC calibre of the central chronograph display (as oppose to two counters on the JLC). However, the movement is assembled and finished at Cartier manufacture, hence the higher standard of finish which is less industrial than that seen on the JLC.
- SJX
Response from Cartier:
"The 9907 MC caliber used in the Rotonde de Cartier Central Chronograph is sharing some elements of conception and components with the 8100 MC Cartier manufacture movement. The 8100MC movement was developed through a collaboration between Cartier and JLC and it is hand finished and assembled at the Cartier Manufacture at La Chaux de Fonds.
The 8100 MC caliber is a Cartier specific version of the JLC 750 with two main differences :
- a flexible linear hammer that enable us to have a perfect reset over time: the flexibility of the hammer prevents the components to be used after several resets of the chronograph.
- a hands display of the functions instead of an apertures display.
The central chronograph 9907 MC movement has been further developed and reconstructed by the Cartier Manufacture in La Chaux de Fonds in order to add several improved systems. These elements are not seen on the 8100 MC neither on the JLC 750 or the FP1185:
- a new Cartier vertical clutch which keeps the same chronometry whether the chrono is on or off, and which allows all the chronograph functions to be put at the center
- a Cartier minutes counter for the chronograph that replaces the usual hand knowing that this switch is more than challenging knowing the diameter and inerty of such a disc
- a Cartier secounds counter for the chronograph that had to be put over the minutes counter
As regards the FP 1185, the 9907 MC central chronograph has also other important differences in its conception :
- a double-barrel movement that offers an equal chronometry whether the barrel spring is fully wound or not, compared to the one-barrel movement of the Piguet
- a jewelled vertical clutch which helps keeping the same amplitude whether the chrono is on or off, compared to the vertical clutch of the Piguet movement which has no jewels thus different amplitudes
- a 4hz frequency (28'800 vibrations per hour) which assures a more constant chronometry, compared to a 3hz frequency on the Piguet (21'600 vibrations per hour)
The 9907MC movement is hand finished and assembled in the Cartier Manufacture in La Chaux de Fonds and it is just a part of the beginning of a series of new in house movements to come from the Cartier Manufacture".
This message has been edited by SJX on 2009-05-16 09:47:50 This message has been edited by MTF on 2009-05-17 11:30:13Thanks SJX and Cartier! This kind of fascinating and forthright development information goes a long way towards instilling confidence in enthusiasts like myself with regards to the brand's technical efforts and, more importantly still, their integrity and honesty about the origins of their work and the historical precedents. No brand is an island. Thanks so much for getting to the bottom of the question and helping us to appreciate this new watch and movement even more! Kudos! _john
Cartier is open because the product is strong. The brand's responsiveness and openness is really admirable, especially for an established brand that can get away with fobbing off a customer with a crock of BS. - SJX
You're right, in this instance, the product is strong, HOWEVER Cartier is guilty of fobbing of customers with a load of BS in relation to other products. Take for example the smaller of the gents Santos 100 models. UK rrp is £3250 in steel with a leather strap; inside is a LADIES ETA movement. Not cool. This level of quality is common right across the brand's lower echelons, the watches are of solid quality, but they're outrageously overpriced! IMO at least 50% of the rrp is because it has Carti
Cartier is straightforward in acknowledging the source of its movements - it reveals that the Santos 100 contains an ETA2000 - rather than misleading the customer. Sure, you may think the watch is expensive considering the movement inside, but that's not my point. My point is that Cartier is open in terms of its watchmaking which is admirable. Price-value analysis is relative and generally subjective. - SJX
in so far as they are willing to share such information, but in reality, such information is generally only useful to the minority (i.e. us) who understand what it actually means! The fact is, that Cartier enjoys an immense reputation amongst an incredibly large and diverse demographic, a reputation that was forged many years ago and that it has been 'dining out on' ever since. I would say that 90% of Cartier customers have no idea what the information in point really means, nor how it relates t
to use the example you mention, there are certain low-end JLC watches that are mediocre AND overpriced, like the Polaris reedition. Lots of other well loved brands which have forums here make equally mediocre timepieces. Lastly, in my humble opinion, Cartier offers a standard of dial and case finishing that is ABOVE par for the price range it competes on; i will not dispute the movements are boring and cheap. - SJX
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