Manufacturer: Cartier Year: Circa 2010 Reference No: 2396B Case No: 0178CC Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 045MC, 22 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Cartier deployant clasp Dimensions: 34mm Width and 43mm Length Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Cartier presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
The present Tortue Monopoussoir was launched in 1998 as part of the Collection Privée Cartier Paris. At the time of production and still today, the CPCP collection is particularly beloved by collectors as it references the past while giving a fresh and modern update to Cartier's most iconic designs.
While the first monopoussoir, or monopusher, chronograph was released by Cartier in 1928, this particular iteration is powered by the manual caliber 045MC. It was co-developed by F. P. Journe, Denis Flageollet and Vianney Halter.
It is offered in excellent condition with crisp hallmarks and numbers beneath the watch.
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.