The Cartier Cle de Cartier | family history
The Cle de Cartier launched in 2015 with one formal innovation: a round crown integrated flush into the case side, turned with a rotational key motion rather than a pull-and-wind action. The case is round and slightly cushion-influenced; the lugs flow directly from the case without a break. The caliber 1847 MC automatic powers the entry reference; the caliber 9452 MC flying tourbillon is the family's mechanical statement.
Cartier’s 2015 contemporary dress line: a soft-round case with a crown set into the case-band rather than the side (the "clé", or "key", that names the line). 40mm steel and precious-metal references with the in-house cal. 1847 MC. Discontinued in 2019; the line sits in the catalog as a closed reference an estate-market buyer still encounters.
2015 · Launch with the caliber 1847 MC
Cartier released the Cle in 35mm and 40mm at launch, with the caliber 1847 MC automatic in the gents version. The integrated-crown detail was the design brief; the case itself is Cartier's most conservative round case since the Ronde. Steel and rose gold at launch. Critical reception was warm on the movement and neutral on the design; it competes directly with Vacheron Patrimony and Patek Calatrava for the clean-round-dress buyer.
2016-present · Flying Tourbillon 9452 MC
The Cle Flying Tourbillon carries the caliber 9452 MC, an in-house flying tourbillon with a 9-day power reserve and a hand-wound mechanism. The tourbillon cage is visible at 6 o'clock through the dial, with no bridge above it. This is one of the most technically credible pieces in the current Cartier catalog; production is limited and secondary-market examples are rare.
No references from this era in the catalog yet.
How to read this family
Two honest questions for any Cle buyer:
- Does the crown-key mechanic justify the price premium over the Ballon Bleu? The Cle's crown is a genuine engineering detail, not cosmetic. Whether it justifies the price difference over a 40mm Ballon Bleu is a personal question. The Cle is the cleaner, more minimal case; the Ballon Bleu has better secondary-market liquidity.
- Automatic or tourbillon? The caliber 1847 MC automatic is the attainable Cle. The 9452 MC tourbillon is a legitimate horological object with a 9-day reserve. The price gap between the two is substantial. Buy the tourbillon for the movement; buy the automatic for the design.
Related families: Ballon Bleu · Santos
References in this family
Which ref to buy
The Clé de Cartier (2015) introduced a novel crown integrated into the lugs -- the winding crown forms a key-shaped protrusion at 9 o'clock. It is a genuinely clever mechanical and design solution that reduces crown snagging. The family has not achieved the commercial traction of the Ballon Bleu or Santos.
- 1Open
Clé de Cartier -- underrated contemporary Cartier with a genuinely novel crown design.
- The case for it:
- The integrated crown is a real differentiator -- more comfortable on the wrist, lower snag profile, and a design solution with functional intent. Secondary market prices are depressed relative to the Tank and Santos, which creates buying opportunity for collectors who care more about wearing than flipping.
- Consider instead if:
- The Clé is discontinued in steel, which limits future parts availability. Collector awareness is low compared to heritage Cartier references -- resale will remain softer than the core families.
Rankings last reviewed 2026-06-07. Editorial perspective only. Not financial advice.