Cartier introduced the Caliber 1847 MC in 2015 as its modern, robust in-house automatic movement designed for everyday luxury watches. Named after 1847 — the year Cartier was founded, the movement represents the brand’s transition toward reliable manufacture calibers used across multiple core collections.
Today, the 1847 MC powers many iconic Cartier watches including the Santos, Tank Must, Ballon Bleu, Clé de Cartier, Pasha, and more.
Technical Specifications — Cartier Caliber 1847 MC
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Movement Type | Automatic (self-winding) |
| Manufacture | Cartier In-House |
| Diameter | 25.6 mm |
| Thickness | ~3.7–3.8 mm |
| Power Reserve | ~40–42 hours |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph (4 Hz) |
| Jewels | 23 |
| Functions | Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Date |
| Winding | Bi-directional rotor |
| Anti-Magnetic | Nickel-phosphorus components + soft iron shield |
| Shock Protection | Incabloc |
| Stop Seconds | Yes |
Sources confirm the movement is a 4Hz automatic caliber with ~42h power reserve, 23 jewels, and 25.6mm diameter.
Cartier 1847 MC — Movement Overview
The Cartier 1847 MC was designed as a reliable, versatile everyday automatic movement rather than a high-complication showcase. Introduced first in the Clé de Cartier (2015), it quickly became Cartier’s standard automatic caliber across multiple collections.
Key Features
1. Everyday Reliability
Cartier positioned the 1847 MC as a durable all-rounder suitable for daily wear, focusing on stability rather than extreme technical complexity.
2. Anti-Magnetic Construction
The movement uses nickel-phosphorus components and a soft iron shield to improve resistance against magnetic fields — a practical upgrade for modern environments.
3. Proven Architecture
It includes:
- Swiss lever escapement
- Ball-bearing rotor
- Flat hairspring
- Glucydur balance wheel
- Incabloc shock protection
4. Slim & Efficient
With only ~3.7mm thickness, the movement allows Cartier to maintain elegant, slim case profiles while offering automatic winding.
5. Practical Complication Set
Simple display: central seconds + date, prioritizing usability over complexity.
All Watches Using Cartier Caliber 1847 MC
Below is a consolidated list of known models powered by the 1847 MC.
Core Collections
Clé de Cartier (Original launch platform)
- Clé de Cartier 40 (Steel / Two-Tone / Gold)
- Clé de Cartier 35
- Clé de Cartier Diamond & High-Jewelry variants
- Clé de Cartier Flying Tourbillon (case family using 1847 base)
Santos de Cartier
- Santos de Cartier Medium
- Santos de Cartier Large
- Santos Titanium
- Santos Skeleton (non-skeleton automatic variants use 1847 MC)
Tank Must Automatic
- Tank Must Extra Large Automatic (Steel)
- Tank Must XL Bracelet version
Ballon Bleu de Cartier
- Ballon Bleu 42 Automatic Carbon
- Selected larger automatic Ballon Bleu models
Pasha de Cartier
- Pasha de Cartier 41 Automatic (Steel / Gold variants)
Ronde Croisière de Cartier
- Steel / Two-Tone models with date
Typical Characteristics of Watches Using 1847 MC
Across different models, watches powered by this movement usually share:
- Automatic winding
- Central seconds + date
- 100m water resistance in sport models (Santos / Pasha)
- Slim profile cases
- Anti-magnetic protection
- Designed for daily wear
Position of the 1847 MC in Cartier’s Movement Lineup
| Movement | Position |
|---|---|
| 1847 MC | Entry-to-mid in-house automatic (daily wear) |
| 1853 MC | Earlier automatic generation |
| 1904 MC | Higher grade twin-barrel automatic |
| 9452 MC / Skeleton / Complications | Haute Horlogerie |
The 1847 MC is not a haute horlogerie movement, but it is Cartier’s most widely used modern automatic caliber — valued for reliability, slimness, and practicality.
Final Thoughts
The Cartier Caliber 1847 MC represents the brand’s modern automatic foundation — a robust, anti-magnetic, everyday luxury movement that powers many of Cartier’s most iconic watches. While technically simple compared to high complications, its importance lies in consistency, reliability, and versatility across collections like Santos, Tank Must, Ballon Bleu, Clé, and Pasha.
For collectors and dealers, understanding the 1847 MC helps identify modern Cartier automatic models, their servicing expectations, and long-term wear performance.
