Innovation for sale; FROM ID-ONE to ASTRO TOURBILLON CARBON CRYSTAL While I am sure everybody would think it would take a few more years, before we would see the first commercial result, of the many years of research that went in the ID-ONE and the ID-TWO, Cartier surprised the group of journalist, last month, at the ID-TWO presentation in la Chaud-de-Fonds, by presenting also the first commercial watch, that benefits from the technology in regulation and lubrication free ID-ONE; THE ASTRO TOURBILLON CARBON CRYSTAL, in a limited edition of 50 pieces. AstrotourbillonCarbonCrystal.jpg mod_embed_images_loadimage('a58633850ef067e0435f1e4b7d8bf9a0', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2FAstrotourbillonCarbonCrystal.jpg', 'http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/Pasha_1950/AstrotourbillonCarbonCrystal.jpg', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2FAstrotourbillonCarbonCrystal.jpg', '', 1007832, 1300, 3000, 'Loading image ...', false); AstrotourbilCarbonCrystal.jpg mod_embed_images_loadimage('1b8a831c7e549d7949fb5ca1f4a6a96f', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2FAstrotourbilCarbonCrystal.jpg', 'http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/Pasha_1950/AstrotourbilCarbonCrystal.jpg', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2FAstrotourbilCarbonCrystal.jpg', '', 1007832, 1300, 3000, 'Loading image ...', false); When one realizes, that from the 'Fine Watch Making Collection', the Astro Tourbillon (that was released last year), was Carole Forestier's favorite, it will not come as an surprise, that this is now the watch that, will officially be introduced at the 2013 SIHH in Geneva, as the first escapement adjustment-free and lubrication free tourbillon, that will be commercially available for the more serious watch connoisseur. The main reasons for selecting the Astro Tourbillon as the watch to do the premiere were; - Rebounds of a Tourbillon carriage - Mechanical strength - Lightness - Durability - Aesthetic This new 'Astro Tourbillon Carbon Crystal' will be released in a Nobium titanium case, a lightweight and non-magnetic alloy, that resists corrosion, scratches and shocks and will have the carbon escapement of the ID-ONE, that will not need lubrication or adjustment at all! The tourbillon bridges and escape wheel are build in carbon crystal and made by DRIE, which makes parts with an extreme high standard. DRIE technology (Deep Reactive Ion Etching) is a technique that makes it possible to produce micro mechanical components with an extreme precision, besides that it lends itself particularly well for carbon crystal. To ensure maximum performance of the escape wheel, all the teeth are crafted with the utmost precision. Compared to the carbon escapement, even very good ordinary escape wheels, are much less reliable. Since the carbon crystal is so hard, smooth and well finished it does not need any lubrication. These carbon crystal components reach ultra-precise tolerances, to a thousandth of a millimeter, i.e. one micron, and have extremely smooth surfaces. Qualities like this are essential for the escape-wheel and the mono-bloc anchor, which dispense their life-essential impulses, with maximum efficiency and........don't forget, I can't say it too much, no need for lubrication! This smoothness is essential in the Astrotourbillon carbon crystal, since the lack of lubrication means the teeth of the escape-wheel dispense six precisely timed motive impulses per second to the mono-bloc anchor. These impulses maintain the continual swinging of the oscillator. Other parts that do not need lubrication are the steel tubes, SteelTubes.png mod_embed_images_loadimage('4ce6402147aa810e2f21f3d58ca62297', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2FSteelTubes.png', 'http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/Pasha_1950/SteelTubes.png', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2FSteelTubes.png', '', 1007832, 1300, 3000, 'Loading image ...', false); All the pivots are made out of tungsten carbide and are housed in steel tubes that are, like in the ID-ONE, ADLC coated. ADLC is a superior form of DLC which is known as "amorphous diamond-like carbon" coating. ADLC was first used on parts in the ID-ONE and later on as a coating on the cases of the Santos 100 and Santos Dumont Squelette. It has proven to be imperishable. I have the black Santos myself and unlike ordinary PVD, the ADLC coating does not show any scratch at all, after years of almost daily wear. Hardness is another important factor. Carbon crystal exceeds 10.000 Vickers. Bearing jewels become superfluous. Hardness.png mod_embed_images_loadimage('8db9e04b8805295c7b058772c1686c7e', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2FHardness.png', 'http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/Pasha_1950/Hardness.png', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2FHardness.png', '', 1007832, 1300, 3000, 'Loading image ...', false); Extreme hardness is only one aspect in the spectrum of horological innovations. Carbon crystal is not only transparent and non magnetic, it is also very light. The escapement-wheel must be momentarily halted and instantly reaccelerated, six times per second, so every milligram of weight, that can be pared away results in significant energy savings. So producing the escape-wheel and the anchor in was done to bring the weight down as much as possible. EscapementWheel.png mod_embed_images_loadimage('a80f7f9702575b6e974a1e9b6879ec9a', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2FEscapementWheel.png', 'http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/Pasha_1950/EscapementWheel.png', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2FEscapementWheel.png', '', 1007832, 1300, 3000, 'Loading image ...', false); The same counts for the tourbillon’s rotating cage. Carbon crystal is used as the material for the elongated bearing plate and for the three bridges which bear the balance staff, the shaft of the pallet and the shaft of the escape-wheel (respectively). Thus, the whole Astrotourbillon cage achieves an impressive lightness of an unbelievable 0.46 gram, and that's including the platinum counterweight! montage4.jpg mod_embed_images_loadimage('b9b4bb01e39c739cc6159f64c93409e6', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2Fmontage4.jpg', 'http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/Pasha_1950/montage4.jpg', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2Fmontage4.jpg', '', 1007832, 1300, 3000, 'Loading image ...', false); montage5.jpg mod_embed_images_loadimage('f0547c738e724fcc6f89aef5fc4fb77f', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2Fmontage5.jpg', 'http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/Pasha_1950/montage5.jpg', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2Fmontage5.jpg', '', 1007832, 1300, 3000, 'Loading image ...', false); montage3.jpg mod_embed_images_loadimage('6399de1d379c5341633336d13c0bc00f', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2Fmontage3.jpg', 'http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a65/Pasha_1950/montage3.jpg', 'http://revo-online.com/forums/main/addon.php?33,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fi9.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fa65%2FPasha_1950%2Fmontage3.jpg', '', 1007832, 1300, 3000, 'Loading image ...', false); By choosing the 'Astro Tourbillon Carbon Crystal' as the first commercial watch, to be launched with this high-tech technology, Cartier did select a watch, that will really benefit enormously from all the new technique and new materials used in this watch. CASE Niobium titanium 47 mm Rotonde de Cartier case Circular-grained crown set with sapphire cabochon Alligator strap Adjustable folding clasp in 18-carat white gold. Water resistant to 30 m / 100 ft / 3 bars MOVEMENT Manual mechanical movement 9460 MC Adjustment-free and lubrication-free escapement Tourbillon with axis at the center of the movement Carbon crystal tourbillon bridges, anchor and escape-wheel Tungsten carbide escapement pivots Number of jewels: 17 Power reserve: 50 hours Diameter: 40.1 mm Thickness: 9 mm Number of pieces : 195 Frequency: 3Hz i.e., 21’600 oscillations/hour Since in general, the service on a tourbillon is pretty complicated and labor-intensive, it has a higher price tag than other watches like a chronograph or a time only watch. If the service on these tourbillon movement can now be reduced to hardly none, the sky will be the limit, for future tourbillon owners. Official presentation January 2013. GEO http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007832#msg-1007832 Wed, 22 May 2013 20:22:16 -0500 Phorum 5.2.13 http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1009262#msg-1009262 More Images as supplied by Cartier. http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1009262#msg-1009262
astrocc.jpg





]]> Jaw Cartier Sun, 06 Jan 2013 01:43:32 -0600 http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007881#msg-1007881 Re.: Cartier is moving fast with their on going developments http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007881#msg-1007881 Hi Pedro, this new Astro Tourbillon Carbon Crystal, will officially be introduced at the next SIHH in January.
But I am sure that the 50 pieces, that Cartier will be producing, are all sold by then,
this is a watch for specialist and it will find it's way fast, to these specialists/collectors soon.
How this technique or parts from this technique will be used in the mainstream collection,
is a question for the future; Time will tell.
I expect that, for the time being, Cartier will concentrate first on the high end models,
but that's just my opinion.

GEO]]> Geo Cartier Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:56:38 -0500 http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007880#msg-1007880 Re.: Wow...amazed to see this technology will be available to the public so soon... http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007880#msg-1007880 Of course I was expecting to see new watches that had benefit from all this research too,
but not só soon and certainly not one of the most incredible tourbillons ever created by Cartier.
To me this was a huge surprise.
Now I wonder what the next step will be and which other products will be presented at the next SIHH.
Cartier's mens watch collection is expanding and expanding.
GEO]]> Geo Cartier Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:46:34 -0500 http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007879#msg-1007879 Re.: Thank you! http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007879#msg-1007879 in the months to come.

GEO]]> Geo Cartier Tue, 31 Jul 2012 11:34:42 -0500 http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007871#msg-1007871 Cartier is moving fast with their on going developments http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007871#msg-1007871 When will this watch be on the market exactly? And what will this mean for the normal watches in the future?
I mean the watch you, I and the guys here at the forum wear, because this tourbillon is of course a very top, top, top model.
Very interesting to see where this is going to in the next 5 years.
Pedro]]> pedro Cartier Tue, 31 Jul 2012 08:52:42 -0500 http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007868#msg-1007868 Wow...amazed to see this technology will be available to the public so soon... http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007868#msg-1007868 Hi Geo,

I figured it could years before technology such as this became available to the public. Granted, its still to expensive to make its way down to more reasonably priced watches but its still very cool that there will be people wearing such beautiful high tech watches soon! I look forward to the day when this technology will on some level reach their mainstream collection pieces.

Best regards,
Dino ]]> Dino944 Cartier Tue, 31 Jul 2012 08:27:53 -0500 http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007834#msg-1007834 Thank you! http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007834#msg-1007834
Amazing article! Great that finally somebody has broken down this technology in more easier to understand language. I am very surprised that Cartier already has achieved to get a lot of the innovations of the ID-ONE production ready! A truly amazing feat! It will indeed be very tempting to own a tourbillon that doesn't need expensive maintenance, especially when it looks like this Cartier! A splendid blend of classical design with modern innovation!]]> Martin Green Cartier Mon, 30 Jul 2012 06:07:38 -0500 http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007832#msg-1007832 Innovation for sale; FROM ID-ONE to ASTRO TOURBILLON CARBON CRYSTAL http://revo-online.com/forums/main/read.php?33,1007832,1007832#msg-1007832 While I am sure everybody would think it would take a few more years, before we would see the first
commercial result, of the many years of research that went in the ID-ONE and the ID-TWO,
Cartier surprised the group of journalist, last month, at the ID-TWO presentation in la Chaud-de-Fonds,
by presenting also the first commercial watch,
that benefits from the technology in regulation and lubrication free ID-ONE;

THE ASTRO TOURBILLON CARBON CRYSTAL, in a limited edition of 50 pieces.





When one realizes, that from the 'Fine Watch Making Collection', the Astro Tourbillon
(that was released last year),
was Carole Forestier's favorite, it will not come as an surprise, that this is now the watch that,
will officially be introduced at the 2013 SIHH in Geneva, as the first escapement adjustment-free
and lubrication free tourbillon, that will be commercially available for the more serious watch connoisseur.

The main reasons for selecting the Astro Tourbillon as the watch to do the premiere were;

- Rebounds of a Tourbillon carriage
- Mechanical strength
- Lightness
- Durability
- Aesthetic

This new 'Astro Tourbillon Carbon Crystal' will be released in a Nobium titanium case,
a lightweight and non-magnetic alloy, that resists corrosion, scratches and shocks
and will have the carbon escapement of the ID-ONE, that will not need lubrication or adjustment at all!

The tourbillon bridges and escape wheel are build in carbon crystal and made by DRIE,
which makes parts with an extreme high standard.
DRIE technology (Deep Reactive Ion Etching) is a technique that makes it possible to produce micro
mechanical components with an extreme precision, besides that it lends itself particularly well for carbon
crystal.

To ensure maximum performance of the escape wheel, all the teeth are crafted with the utmost precision.
Compared to the carbon escapement, even very good ordinary escape wheels, are much less reliable.
Since the carbon crystal is so hard, smooth and well finished it does not need any lubrication.

These carbon crystal components reach ultra-precise tolerances, to a thousandth of a millimeter,
i.e. one micron, and have extremely smooth surfaces. Qualities like this are essential for the escape-wheel
and the mono-bloc anchor, which dispense their life-essential impulses, with maximum efficiency
and........don't forget, I can't say it too much, no need for lubrication!
This smoothness is essential in the Astrotourbillon carbon crystal, since the lack of lubrication means
the teeth of the escape-wheel dispense six precisely timed motive impulses per second to the
mono-bloc anchor.
These impulses maintain the continual swinging of the oscillator.

Other parts that do not need lubrication are the steel tubes,



All the pivots are made out of tungsten carbide and are housed in steel tubes that are,
like in the ID-ONE, ADLC coated.
ADLC is a superior form of DLC which is known as "amorphous diamond-like carbon" coating.
ADLC was first used on parts in the ID-ONE and later on as a coating on the cases of the Santos 100
and Santos Dumont Squelette. It has proven to be imperishable.
I have the black Santos myself and unlike ordinary PVD, the ADLC coating does not show any scratch at all,
after years of almost daily wear.

Hardness is another important factor.
Carbon crystal exceeds 10.000 Vickers. Bearing jewels become superfluous.





Extreme hardness is only one aspect in the spectrum of horological innovations.
Carbon crystal is not only transparent and non magnetic, it is also very light.
The escapement-wheel must be momentarily halted and instantly reaccelerated, six times per second,
so every milligram of weight, that can be pared away results in significant energy savings.
So producing the escape-wheel and the anchor in was done to bring the weight down
as much as possible.





The same counts for the tourbillon’s rotating cage. Carbon crystal is used as the material for the elongated
bearing plate and for the three bridges which bear the balance staff, the shaft of the pallet and the shaft
of the escape-wheel (respectively).

Thus, the whole Astrotourbillon cage achieves an impressive lightness of an unbelievable 0.46 gram,
and that's including the platinum counterweight!











By choosing the 'Astro Tourbillon Carbon Crystal' as the first commercial watch, to be launched with this
high-tech technology,
Cartier did select a watch, that will really benefit enormously from all the new technique
and new materials used in this watch.

CASE

Niobium titanium 47 mm Rotonde de Cartier case
Circular-grained crown set with sapphire cabochon
Alligator strap
Adjustable folding clasp in 18-carat white gold.
Water resistant to 30 m / 100 ft / 3 bars

MOVEMENT

Manual mechanical movement 9460 MC
Adjustment-free and lubrication-free escapement
Tourbillon with axis at the center of the movement
Carbon crystal tourbillon bridges, anchor and escape-wheel
Tungsten carbide escapement pivots
Number of jewels: 17
Power reserve: 50 hours
Diameter: 40.1 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Number of pieces : 195
Frequency: 3Hz i.e., 21’600 oscillations/hour



Since in general, the service on a tourbillon is pretty complicated and labor-intensive,
it has a higher price tag than other watches like a chronograph or a time only watch.
If the service on these tourbillon movement can now be reduced to hardly none,
the sky will be the limit, for future tourbillon owners.

Official presentation January 2013.

GEO
]]> Geo Cartier Mon, 30 Jul 2012 04:39:30 -0500