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1002Σ

Cartier

Ref. 2496

Cartier Tortue

A lady’s fine and dazzling yellow gold and diamond-set tortue-shaped wristwatch with Roman numerals, certificate and presentation box

Estimate
HK$150,000 - 200,000
€17,800 - 23,800
$19,200 - 25,600
HK$151,200
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Cartier
Year
Circa 1999
Reference No
2496
Movement No
3462
Case No
334636MG
Model Name
Cartier Tortue
Material
18K yellow gold and diamonds
Calibre
Manual, cal. 430MC, 18 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Crocodile
Clasp/Buckle
18K yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp
Dimensions
33mm length x 34mm width
Signed
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by blank Cartier certificate, instruction manual, product literature, CD, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
One of the most emblematic and classic watch cases of the early 20th century is the Tortue. Designed by Louis Cartier in 1912, the rounded tonneau-shaped case was elegant and sophisticated and named “tortue à pattes” or “turtle on legs” both for its similarity to the animal’s shape and symbolism of good fortune and longevity.

Elegantly proportioned, the Tortue-shaped case is set with two rows of brilliant-cut diamonds throughout. Housed inside is the firm’s signature guilloche dial with Roman numerals. Once flipped one can witness a display caseback revealing the highly praised manual cal. 430MC from the coveted CPCP collection.

Offered in excellent overall condition, the present timepiece is complete with its full set of accessories.

Cartier

French
With the Constitution of 1848 came a new standard for luxury in France. Founded one year prior by Louis-Francois Cartier, the house of Cartier was one of the first to use platinum in jewelry making. This incredibly expensive material became the stepping-stone for Cartier to experiment in form, mechanisms and attitude. It helped men move from pocket watches to wristwatches, effectively making the watch much more functional and prominent in a man's overall wardrobe.Cartier did not only touch on functionality. Inspired by a commissioned painting by George Barbier featuring a black panther at the feet of an elegantly bejeweled woman, Cartier began incorporating wild animals in his designs—most notably, Cartier Panthère rings, bangle bracelets and watches. Yet it wasn't until the late 1960s that the house of Cartier debuted their iconic yellow and rose gold LOVE collection, which includes the famous bracelet that only a special screwdriver can open. 
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