Introducing Cartier Brings Back One of Its Oldest Releases, the Tortue

Since 2017, Cartier has been reintroducing some of its classic designs through the Cartier Privé collection, also known as the CPCP collection, including historical models like the Tank Cintrée. This year, the brand is reviving one of its earliest pieces, originally launched in 1912, the Tortue. However the brand is adding a monopusher chronograph that harkens back to the Tortue chronographs of the 1920s. Additionally, the new Tortue collection also features a trio of time-only models, one of which is set with diamonds. 

Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir Chronograph

As mentioned, the Tortue dates back to 1912, making it older than almost every other Cartier design except for the Santos-Dumont, which was introduced in 1904. The case has a turtle shape, as indicated by its name, since "tortue" is French for "turtle”. The big news is the reintroduction of the Tortue monopusher chronograph, known in French as monopoussoir. The case, which comes in either platinum or yellow gold, measures 43.7mm by 34.8mm with a thickness of 10.2mm. This is about the same size as the CPCP Monopusher, but the movement inside is entirely different, we'll go back to that later.

Both the gold and platinum versions come with a silver opaline dial. However, the platinum model features applied rhodium-plated Roman numerals, while the gold version has printed black numerals. Both versions share Blued Breguet-style hands. Beneath the sapphire crystal caseback is the caliber 1928MC, a new movement with a column wheel chronograph that operates at 28,800 vph (4 Hz) and provides a 44-hour power reserve. 

The watches are paired with an alligator leather strap and a platinum or gold buckle. The monopusher chronograph is limited to 200 individually numbered pieces in each metal, the gold variant is priced at CHF 49,100, equivalent to AED 200,000, while the platinum variant is priced at CHF 57,000, equivalent to AED 230,000.

Technical specifications: Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir Chronograph

• Reference: (platinum) WHTTO0008, (yellow gold) WHTO0007 
• Case: gold or platinum, sapphire crystal, sapphire crystal caseback 
• Diameter: 43.7mm by 34.8mm 
• Height: 10.2mm
• Dial: silver opaline dial, applied rhodium-plated Roman numerals, or printed black numerals, Blued Breguet-style hands, small seconds subdial at 9 o'clock, chronograph counter at 3 o’clock 
• Movement: caliber 1928MC, manually-wound, column wheel chronograph
• Power reserve: 44 hours
• Frequency: 28,800 vph
• Functions: chronograph, hours, minutes, small seconds 
• Bracelet / Strap: alligator leather strap with a platinum or gold buckle
• Availability: Each variant is limited edition to 200 pieces 
• Price: gold variant (CHF 49,100/AED 200,000), platinum variant (CHF 57,000/AED 230,000)

Cartier Tortue Time only 

The Tortue time-only variant shares the same design as the chronograph but comes in a slightly smaller case, measuring 42.4mm x 32.9mm with a thickness of 7.2mm. Like the chronograph, the Tortue time-only releases are available in platinum and yellow gold cases and feature a silver opaline dial.

The time only variant is powered by the caliber 430 MC, a manual-winding movement based on Piaget's caliber 430P, which operates at 21,600 vph (3 Hz) and provides a 38-hour power reserve. The gold version is priced at CHF 27,100, equivalent to AED 110,000, while the platinum version is priced at CHF 30,200, equivalent to AED 122,000. Each variant is limited to 200 pieces. Additionally, Cartier has introduced a platinum model set with 54 brilliant-cut diamonds, priced at CHF 51,600, equivalent to AED 210,000, with only 50 of these to be produced.

For more information please visit Cartier’s official website. 

Technical specifications: Cartier Tortue Time only 

• Reference: (platinum) WGTO008, (gold) WGTO006 , (diamond-set) WJTO0010 
• Case: gold or platinum, sapphire crystal 
• Diameter: 42.4mm x 32.9mm
• Height: 7.2mm
• Dial: silver opaline dial, applied rhodium-plated Roman numerals, or printed black numerals, Breguet-style hands
• Movement: caliber 430 MC, manually-wound 
• Power reserve: 44 hours
• Frequency: 28,800 vph
• Functions: hours, minutes
• Bracelet / Strap: alligator leather strap with a platinum or gold buckle
• Availability: Each variant is limited edition to 200 pieces/ Diamond set is limited to 50 pieces
• Price: gold variant ( CHF 27,100/AED 110,000), platinum variant (CHF 30,200/AED 122,000), diamond set (CHF 51,600/AED 210,000)