Cartier  Clé de Cartier  Watches

Clé de Cartier Watches: The Spirit of Classic Elegance

With smooth lines, soft proportions, and a perfectly round dial, the Clé de Cartier line ticks all the right boxes. Cartier, the famous jewelry brand masters the art of subtleness and restraint in these sophisticated Clé de Cartier watches. Its collection name comes from the French word “Clé”, which means key as these timepieces incorporate a long crown. When turned, the crown imitates and feels like you’re twisting a key of a pocket watch or antique clock.

Unveiled in 2015, the Clé de Cartier collection is a mix of various sizes and materials of refined dress watches with fluid contours. These timepieces for men and women sport the accessory giant’s blued steel sword-shaped hands for the complete Cartier look.

Prices at a Glance: The Most Popular Clé de Cartier Watches

How much does a Clé de Cartier watch cost?

The French luxury brand never disappoints with its intricately made pieces of jewelry crafted with high-quality materials. Although a fairly fresh collection, the Clé de Cartier line wins its fans’ hearts with its soft curves and one-of-a-kind crown. Grab one of these Cartier watches that cost between $4,200 USD and $238,000 USD. 

Prices for the Clé de Cartier 31mm Models

With a water resistance of 30m, the stainless steel Clé de Cartier Ref. WSCL0016 completes its refined look with a shiny burgundy alligator leather strap. Its round 31mm case has a thickness of 11.04mm that’s made of stainless steel for a tough exterior. Can’t wait to get your hands on this fabulous piece? This Cartier women’s watch costs $4,200 USD.

If you’re diving into the world of diamond-embellished watches, there’s no better match for you than the Clé de Cartier Ref. WJCL0003. This 18K rose gold timepiece features a silver dial surrounded by a bezel that’s adorned with brilliant-cut diamonds. Enjoy this lovely watch at $27,795 USD.

Prices for the Clé de Cartier 35mm Models

Here’s a Cartier watch that marries a luxury diamond-embellished accessory with the impressive flying tourbillon, the Clé de Cartier 35mm Flying Tourbillon Watch. At $134,295 USD, this unisex timepiece perfectly balances style and functionality with a radiant alligator leather strap and a 50-hour power reserve. What’s more, the tourbillion located in the 6 o’clock marker allows you to have precise and accurate time.

Coming in a 35mm case, the Clé de Cartier Ref. W2CL0003 features an 18K rose gold accent on its stainless steel bracelet. The $6,749 USD timepiece houses the caliber 1847 movement that runs in 23 jewels with a power reserve of 42 hours. Furthermore, this silver-dialed piece is water resistant up to 30m. 

Prices for the Clé de Cartier 40mm Models

One of the dashing Cartier watches for men, the $4,700 USD Clé de Cartier Ref. WSCL0018 goes well with either casual and formal looks. This 40mm stainless steel dress watch is accompanied by an alligator leather strap and also has a water resistance of 30m. Similar to other 35mm and 40mm variants, it’s powered by Cartier’s Caliber 1847 MC. 

Searching for a conversation starter piece? The $56,000 USD cutting-edge Clé de Cartier Skeleton Ref. WHCL0008 will definitely get anyone’s attention. Showcasing skeletonized bridges that form into Roman numerals, the 41mm unique timepiece utilizes the Cartier caliber 9981 MC. This mysterious hand-wound movement includes 28 jewels and has a power reserve of 48 hours.

Fully encrusted with 447 brilliant-cut diamonds, the limited edition Clé de Cartier Ref. HPI01063 can be yours with a whopping $238,000 USD. It’s created with a 40mm rhodiumized 18k white gold case and a durable sapphire crystal for a sturdy structure. With only 30 pieces made, this glittering dress watch shows off an 18k white gold NAC-treated dial that’s also decorated with diamonds.

Clé de Cartier's History and Design Details

Warmly received by watch enthusiasts in 2015, the Clé de Cartier watches were unveiled in Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva, Switzerland. The earlier versions of the Clé line feature gold-plated cases that have cushion-shaped timepieces mirroring few designs from the ‘70s.

These Cartier watches also reveal the in-house caliber 1847 seen on the transparent sapphire crystal back. With a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, its automatic movement has a power reserve of 42 hours. Powering the mysterious series, the jewelry giant also released the caliber 9981 MC. And just like the previous one, the latter ticks at the same frequency with the same power reserve.

Aside from this, what makes this collection stand out is its oblong crown. Inspired by the winding keys of old clocks, this unconventional crown hides a clever move. It lines up vertically or horizontally so you can wind your dress watch but works normally when setting the time and date. The sapphire is melded within the crown, giving a seamless ergonomic feel. The entire look is then impeccably rounded up with the French icon’s signature blued steel sword-formed hands and roman numeral markers. 

Two years later, stainless steel versions of the Clé de Cartier line were released, offering more accessible versions for both fans of the company and dress watches.  

Reasons Why You Should Add the Clé de Cartier to Your Collection

Subtle yet striking, you can never go wrong with a Cartier watch. The Clé de Cartier line perfectly embodies the French luxury icon’s understated and ingenious dress watches. So if you’re searching for more addition to your timepiece collection, here are a few reasons why this  is a worthy contender: 

1. Perfect for any occasion

Whether you’re going out for a casual night out or attending a fancy gathering, the Clé de Cartier collection matches any outfit. Both the steel bracelets and leather strap ones go with any look and even elevates it effortlessly.

2. Timeless design

Oval-shaped, perfect circle dial, and roman numeral markers, these elements of the Clé de Cartier watch never go out of style. Plus, the sapphire tone trademark of the French brand and the square-shaped crown will always be adored by many.

3. A Good Investment

Cartier needs no introduction. With the brand itself, you’re sure that these watches will hold their value as the jewelry company also has technical mastery on accessories.

Who Wears the Clé de Cartier?

Jared Leto

Fresh off the collection’s release, the 40mm 18K white gold Clé de Cartier Ref. WGCL0005 was immediately spotted around the Best Actor awardee’s wrist at the 2015 Oscars. The Suicide Squad star took his look to new heights with this silver-dialed timepiece. Versatile and foolproof, this black leather strapped watch suits any occasion. 

Soffia Coppola

The American screenwriter was photographed in 2016 with the Clé de Cartier Ref. WJCL0012 wrapped around her left wrist. This diamond-adorned timepiece has a 40mm 18K rose gold case that’s matched with an alligator leather band. With a 30m water resistance, this gorgeous piece has a tough exterior as well as it includes an anti-reflective sapphire crystal.

Olivia Palermo

Similar to Soffia Coppola, the American socialite was also spotted serving a classy look with the Clé de Cartier Ref. WJCL0012. The fashion influencer complemented her white ensemble with this striking timepiece on the 10th Anniversary of the Cartier International Dubai Polo Challenge in 2015.

Clé de Cartier: A Timeless Dress Watch 

Cartier watches never disappoint. With the Cle de Cartier’s seemingly simple but ingenious harmonious design and modern movement, you’ll be sure that each timepiece is worth every penny. So if you’re on the lookout for the best dress watch, there’s no better match than these well-crafted timeless pieces.