Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir Chronograph Platinum - LTD 200 pcs

Origin

While Cartier is eternally Parisian at heart, international business was fundamental to their worldwide expansion during the 20th century. London was the second location where Cartier expanded to outside of France, and the first showroom opened in 1902 to coincide with King Edward VII's coronation. In 1906, one of Louis-François Cartier's grandsons, Jacques Cartier, took over the London showroom from his brother Pierre before moving to 175-176 New Bond Street, where they remain today. Pierre left to establish Cartier New York, the third string to Cartier's bow, and famously secured 653 Park Avenue by trading a pearl necklace for the building in 1916.

Cartier's innovation has always stemmed from a balance of Parisian elegance and mechanical boldness, with few collections exemplifying this duality better than the Tortue. First sketched by Louis Cartier in 1912, the Tortue is named after its tortoise-shell-inspired silhouette and was a departure from the linearity of the Tank and the roundness of traditional wristwatches. Its soft, curved case ushered in an era of more sensual design, and in its monopoussoir chronograph form, the Tortue stands among Cartier's most mechanically sophisticated creations. Seen in the late 1990s as part of the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP), the Monopoussoir combines classic form with a historically significant complication. It's a homage to early Cartier chronographs of the 1920s and 1930s, offering a single-button chronograph housed within a softly curved tonneau case. In 2024, Cartier revisited this beloved reference with a fresh iteration in platinum, reviving the soul of the CPCP era and the early 20th century for a new generation of collectors.

The Watch

If there's one word to define the Tortue Monopoussoir, it's poise, and this 2024 edition leans heavily into Cartier's legacy of restraint and refinement. A limited run of just 200 pieces within the brand's CPCP catalogue, this model was one of the highlights of the year's releases at the time and has remained a favourite of the reincarnated classics.

Realised in platinum and measuring 34mm by 43mm, the Tortue Monopoussoir walks the line between compact and prominent proportionally, yet stylistically, it speaks in a more hushed tone with nuanced charm. The single pusher integrated into the cabochon crown is the only hint of its complexity, giving the case a smooth, unbroken silhouette with a polished finish. Hugging the wrist with its soft camber, the piece feels sculptural and considered as each line flows deliberately from one to the next. The platinum case adds a sense of ceremonial occasion.

The dial of the Tortue Monopoussoir offers a masterclass in considered restraint. An opaline finish forms the base, nodding to vintage Cartier chronographs of the early 20th century while lending the watch a warmth that contrasts gently with the cool platinum case. Polished Roman numerals encircle the dial and sit within an external minute track and a second ring, forming a sectoring of the dial form. The bi-compax form of the piece only works to underscore the elegance of this release, as concentric circles and further blued hands reside within both registers. 

The hands are classic pomme-style, heat-blued for a subtle flash of colour and elevated elegance. These elements create a dial that feels both archival and contemporary, a distillation of Cartier's ongoing conversation between design and time. La Maison's design language is revered for its simplicity and aching elegance, but pieces such as this Tortue Monopoussoir demonstrate its multifaceted appearance that excels whether on time-only pieces or complicated chronographs. 

The Movement

Inside is the hand-wound calibre 1928 MC, a new calibre by Cartier, which, aside from a column wheel configuration, striping, polished edges, and a power reserve of 44 hours, is actually shaped to fit the tonneau shape of the Tortue case.

How It Wears

There's something quietly intoxicating about how the Tortue Monopoussoir wraps around the wrist. It has presence but not the sort that shouts across the room. The platinum case gives it a reassuring weight, balanced by the lugs' curvature and the strap's taper. As with all great Cartier designs, it speaks fluently in the language of proportion. Whether peeking from beneath a cuff or worn more boldly on the wrist, this is a timepiece that feels undeniably special.

Condition

This Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir in platinum is presented in like new, excellent condition as a full set, having first been delivered in April 2025.

* Every watch is delivered in a Mr WATCHLEY Membrane Protection Box for a safe transportation in addition to its original set * 

If you desire to take a closer look at this precious timepiece, don't hesitate to contact us and make an appointment. We are based in Ghent, Belgium