Nostalgia ‘Keeps Ticking’
Watches can be magical. Form the right bond, and they have the power to carry you through thick and thin. My relationship with Cartier watches started a few years ago, when the Cartier Ronde Croisière Replica made an expected fall in my lap.
Th 42mm diameter, 9.7mm thick timepiece with a faux bezel is not at all what would conventionally be construed as a classic Cartier timepiece. In fact, ask a purist and he/she might shun the idea of even calling these a part of quintessential Cartier watches.
But to me it features all the elements that make the DNA of High Quality Cartier Replica watches: it retains the typical spinel cabochon spinel crown, central guilloche, the B/W railroad peripheral track, and the Roman numerals, but in addition, brings in a more contemporary and youthful vibe.
The Cartier Ronde Croisière features a rather unique diver’s style but immovable bezel with contrasting Arabic numerals, a wearable for even my slim ~16cm wrists lug-to-lug casing of only 46mm, a modern date wheel with matching colour to that of the dial, vintage 1950s/60s sports watch styling, and a plethora of dial finishes.
A lot of Exact Cartier Replica Watches timepieces have premium real estate on the case-back, and make them ideal for engravings. The difference between them and say Rolex case-backs is that the former are generally completely devoid of any inscriptions, and in my opinion look too blank. Cartier watches, or even Tudor or Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces on the other hand usually have a bit of texts, and are engraving in the most of all that doesn’t appear jarring.
Behind this central disc is a slightly raised sunray-treated dark grey or slate colour, almost anthracite, with the stereotypical Roman numerals of a Cartier Best Replica Watch, and the contrasting gold tones aid legibility. Since these are decals, they do not contain a secret signature, but provide a more three-dimensional look.
Not only is the base wheel black to match the dial, it’s nicely framed by a white case and matching white date numerals. The classic Cartier Replica Watches China black and white theme is very present, even filtered out. Above all, I love how the hour markers at 3 o’clock are truncated but finished. It doesn’t cut in suddenly. Special details there.
Following this ring is the peripheral minute track, again with a black/white theme. But what I like about it is that it’s angled, reminiscent of a kid’s railroad toy. It feels “alive” and adds to the 3D appeal of the watch face.
The AAA Cartier Replica Watch bezel may be functionally useless, but aesthetically it helps layer the timepiece, allowing it to wear less than its 42mm diameter. So it fits nicely on my slender wrist of about 16cm. The combination of these aspects made me appreciate Cartier watches even more; since then, I have even been interested in “simple” Cartier tanks.
