Concept watches such as Cartier ID One and Cartier ID Two were never meant to be marketed, despite the years of research and all the investment that went into making them. Their role is to express a vision of the future and point the way to future goals.

Each of the innovations they contain may one day become a reality. And Cartier’s new Astrotourbillon Carbon Crystal watch, presented in July 2012, uses some of the technological solutions tried and tested in Cartier ID One: the niobium-titanium case, carbon crystal components, and the adjustment-free and lubrication-free pallet and escapement wheel. From the one-off concept-watch to the production run, Cartier innovation pushes back the boundaries of watchmaking while cultivating the esthetic values of Fine Watchmaking.

Cartier has totally rethought the concept of the tourbillon and come up with a carriage with its axis of rotation at the center of the movement. The off-center balance wheel bridge is designed as an arrow and turns once round the dial every minute, pointing out the seconds.

Movement	:	Mechanical with manual winding
Caliber	:	9460 MC
Escapement	:	Adjustment-free and lubrication-free
Tourbillon	:	with axis at the center of the movement Tourbillon bridges, pallet and escapement wheel in carbon crystal
Escapement pivots	:	in tungsten carbide
Number of jewels	:	17
Power reserve	:	50 hours
Diameter	:	40.1 mm
Thickness	:	9 mm
Number of components	:	195
Frequency	:	3 Hz, or 21,600 vibrations per hour
Case	:	Rotonde de Cartier 47 mm, niobium/titanium
Crown	:	Circular-grained set with black synthetic spinel cabochon
Strap	:	Alligator
Clasp	:	Adjustable folding clasp in 18-carat white gold
Water resistant	:	to 30 m / 100 ft / 3 bars