Tested For You: Taking The Drive De Cartier Extra-Flat Collection For A “Drive”

Since its debut at SIHH 2017, the Cartier ‘Drive De Cartier’ collection has captured the hearts of many collectors. Clean lines coupled with an extra-flat case sporting a thinness of just 6.60mm makes the Drive de Cartier a collection worthy of a second look. Which is why Watchonista recently took the opportunity to put two of our favorite Drive de Cartiers through their paces.

Cartier has a rich history in driver's watches, dating back almost to the very invention of the automobile. As one of the very first manufactures of the wristwatch, Cartier has been outfitting active gents for well over a century. Angled driving watches were all the rage in the 1930s, and Cartier quickly embraced the trend while continuing to evolve their lineup of driver's pieces. Today, the Drive De Cartier embraces the brand's rich history while evolving its design for the modern millennium.

For this review, we would need an exceptional location, with the gracious assistance of Maria Stilo and her team at Sotheby’s International Realty, we pinpointed a 1927 English manor house in Purchase, NY. Located in idyllic Westchester County, and built as the country estate for a turn-of-the-century banker, this sumptuous estate echoes the glamour of the Cartier stamping on the Drive’s dial.

Located on 11.6 acres of pristine land, this 12,800 sq ft manor style home at 7 Sky Meadow Farm fit the bill for a variety of reasons. Upon arriving, you drive through an ornate metal and stone gate which leads to a winding driveway up to the circular motor court. The Sprawling Sky Meadow Farms was robust enough to handle an afternoon with Watchonista. 

Thanks to Carriage House Motorcars, we were able to pair the Drive de Cartier timepieces with two exceptional automobiles. After our arrival in Greenwich, CT we hopped behind the wheel of an extraordinary 1959 Mercedes 300SL roadster in anthracite grey. This wasn’t your typical Mercedes by any means having restored by the legendary Mark Allin and considered the finest example in the world. A previous 2004 Amelia Island Concours d' Elegance winner is rumored to have been acquired at auction just a few years ago for the heady sum of $2 million dollars. 

Hot on our tail was a 1962 Jaguar Series 1 E-Type in white with a luxurious red leather interior. Another of Carriage House's impeccably restored motorcars, this E-Type kept pace with the 300SL as we drove through mile after mile of fall foliage. Indeed, the Jaguar may be better suited to a daily driver role than the expensive 300SL, but both cars provided a style and elegance needed for a day with Cartier.

Throughout our testing, I found the Drive de Cartier to be quite svelte while retaining a masculinity typically associated with more robust tool watches. Both models paired well with driving gloves and fall sweater, all that’s necessary for a drive through the countryside with the top down and heat at full blast.

The Drive de Cartier is priced at $5,600 in steel on a supple blue leather strap and $15,400 in yellow gold on gray leather. A rather appealing price in steel, however, quite a jump once you get to the precious metals considering the movement and all other components are nearly identical to the steel version. However, on the gold version, you get a genuine blue sapphire on the crown, compared to the synthetic sapphire on the steel version.

(Photography by Liam O’Donnell)