Cartier first launched the "Collection Privée, Cartier Paris" in 1998 to celebrate the manufacture's most iconic timepieces, including, but not limited to, the Santos, Tank and Tortue models. Each of the selected models paid homage to the classic and elegant designs from the storied jeweler's past.

Cartier's luxury objects, whether jewelery or timepieces, were always designed for their elite clientele: the nobleman, the driver, the pilot, the sportsman, or the world-traveler. To reflect the demands of the latter, Cartier has since its earliest days produced watches with multiple time zones; even as early as 1927, they created a custom pocket watch, likely for a distinguished patron, crafted in platinum and displaying three separate time-zones. The first Cintrée was released six years earlier, in 1921, as the largest and boldest variation of Cartier's line of Tank watches. Over the next nine decades, it has been produced in small batches, with a variation of materials and dial architecture, but never losing its curved, elongated form. Indeed, it was most recently released in an updated form at le Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie de Genève in 2018 to much fanfare from both vintage and modern enthusiasts of Cartier.

The present Cintrée also shares identical dimensions with that same vintage Cintrée watch released in 1921, measuring 46mm long and 23mm wide, enabling the wearer to reminisce and imagine the model in its most original form. It was released in 2004 in limited quantity for the Asian market only, as evidenced by the second time-zone featuring Chinese numerals at the quarter hours. This white gold version is furthermore presented in exceptional condition, retaining its original accessories, including the original certificate stating the watch is numbered 37, and part of a limited edition series of just 100 examples.