This particular savoir-faire allows polished and satin-brushed surfaces to co-exist on the same piece, all while maintaining the clean lines that render the design so striking. Polishing a watch can require up to two hours of manual labour. To achieve the satin-polish of the Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch, more than 50 successive operations are needed.

Mineral crystal production in watchmaking relies on a synergy between ancestral glasswork savoir-faire and precision in watchmaking. The combination of both these expertise is preciously conserved by Cartier. To mould Cartier shaped cases, artisans heat the glass to more than 500°. Under the heat, the crystal becomes deformed before being poured into its mould. The quality depends on how the crystal is cooled and the precision of the various operations, which guarantee the watch's water resistance. Several crafts come together to transform the glass from its raw state into the crystal glass that is characteristic of Cartier designs. This process can take up to 2 weeks.

The shape of Cartier watches is characteristic. Each design will require a specific concept, a specific manufacturing process and precise training for employees. In fact, for each shape, specific tools are designed and produced for Cartier Watchmaking. Producing a shaped case requires more than 50 operations spread across four main crafts: stamping, machining, polishing and assembly, as well as all the checks carried out between these operations. Stamping consists of shaping the case exterior by distorting the material under more than 125 tonnes of pressure in a hard steel mould. The piece is then worked in machining devices, where tools are used to remove the material and cut the piece to its precise dimensions. Then, the polishers' hands are responsible for achieving the complex finishes of a Cartier watch: alternating between polished and brushed areas is only possible with a skill that requires several years of training and experience.