83
Cartier
Ref. 2356E
Tortue Monopoussoir CPCP
A fine and attractive yellow gold single button chronograph wristwatch with certificate and fitted box
Full-Cataloguing
- Monopusher chronograph encased in yellow gold
- Part of the prestigious Cartier Privée Collection Paris (CPCP)
- Fitted with the early Mk I version of the 045MC movement
Few modern Cartier watches capture the spirit of the maison’s watchmaking revival quite like the Tortue Monopoussoir. Introduced in 1999 as part of the Cartier Privée Collection Paris (CPCP), it combined one of Cartier’s most iconic historic case designs with a beautifully executed modern chronograph movement, becoming one of the standout creations of the collection.
First introduced in 1912, the Tortue quickly became one of Cartier’s most recognizable shaped watches. Its curved, organic case, inspired by the form of a turtle shell, offered a softer and more refined alternative to the architectural lines of the Tank. The monopusher chronograph continued a tradition that Cartier had established as early as 1928, when the maison created its first single-button chronograph, valued for both its elegance and mechanical simplicity.
The present watch is part of the celebrated Cartier Privée Collection Paris, launched in 1998 as a tribute to Cartier’s most important historical designs. Powering the watch is the calibre 045MC, developed by Techniques Horlogères Appliquées (THA), the workshop founded by Vianney Halter, Denis Flageollet and François-Paul Journe. With its innovative construction and refined execution, the movement perfectly reflects the creativity and ambition that defined this important period for Cartier.
Fitted with the early Mk I version of the calibre 045MC and bearing the early serial number 0016, this example is a particularly desirable piece for collectors.
Cartier
FrenchWith 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.