Why the Cartier Timepeace Belongs in Every Serious Collection
The Cartier Timepeace is one of those rare watches that feels special the moment you see it—and even more so once you hear its story. It's a standout in the Cartier lineup, blending classic elegance with a thoughtful concept that makes it a favorite for many collectors, including you.
This piece is built on the Santos-Dumont Extra-Large platform in 18-karat yellow gold. The rectangular case (roughly 46.6mm x 33.9mm) keeps the signature look: clean lines, exposed screws on the bezel and lugs, and that iconic beaded crown finished with a green sapphire cabochon. It's slim at about 7.5mm thick, so it sits comfortably on the wrist and pairs beautifully with the green alligator strap.
What sets it apart is the dial: the first malachite ever used on a Santos-Dumont. The natural stone delivers those striking, flowing green patterns that catch the light in a subtle, organic way, contrasting perfectly with the warm gold case.
The real highlight comes with the numerals. Instead of a standard set, the dial features numbers drawn from multiple scripts and cultures—Arabic, Hebrew, Mandarin, Latin, and others like runic elements. It's a deliberate mix, without any borders or hierarchy, to represent how time unites people from different backgrounds. The blued sword hands move smoothly across it, driven by Cartier's reliable manual-wind Caliber 430 MC (with around 38 hours of power reserve).
The watch came about through Cartier's New Special Order program (now discontinued), limited to just 25 pieces. It was the vision of Yoni Ben-Yehuda, head of watches at Material Good, who approached Cartier with the idea of celebrating the connections formed in the watch community across cultures. What began as a personal project grew into this meaningful limited edition, with each piece numbered. Examples have appeared at auctions (like Phillips) and been spotted on notable collectors, including Jimmy Fallon.
For anyone who appreciates Cartier at its best, the Timepeace combines impeccable craftsmanship with a quiet message of unity. It's not flashy, but it's deeply considered—elegant, unique, and always ready to start a conversation when someone notices those diverse numerals.
