Cartier

The Tortue Monopoussoir is equipped with a rare hand-wound movement, the caliber 045 MC. It was developed by the THA Ébauche complicated movement atelier, founded in 1996 by independent watchmakers Vianney Halter, Denis Flageollet and François-Paul Journe. The 045 MC, a fine piece of independent watchmaking in Cartier’s traditional design, is based on the layout of early wrist chronographs from the first quarter of the 20th century, whose functions were controlled by pressing the crown. Later, alternative designs with a separate button or two buttons were developed. In the mid-20th century, Cartier favored a chronograph controlled by the winding crown, apparently with the aim of creating a refined, minimalist look without additional controls on the case. For the same reason, this design was also used for this Tortue Monopoussoir watch from the CPCP collection.

The finishing of the caliber 045MC has a look typical of the CPCP collection. The bridges of the movement are decorated with the typical Cartier “double C” letters, which are applied by laser engraving. All parts are finished to a high standard. The edges are beveled and polished, the chronograph levers are straight-grinded and the screw heads are polished. The movement has a lateral clutch system with an oscillating pinion and was produced in two versions. In the early version (caliber 045MC Mk1), wire springs were used as springs of the chronograph mechanism and there was an additional bridge mounted counterclockwise from the balance, under which these springs were fixed. The movement of the later version (caliber 045MC Mk2) used only monolithic steel springs (except for the fixing spring of the minute counter, which is punched) and there was no additional bridge. This Tortue Monopoussoir watch has the caliber 045MC Mk1. According to our search results, the 045MC Mk2 versions are generally rarer. Further research shows that the caliber 045MC Mk2 is numbered in most cases – the caliber number is engraved between the balance and the chronograph bridge, while the mainplate of the caliber 045MC Mk1 version is not numbered.

In addition to this feature, which is a real temptation for the discerning collector, there are many other options for this model. The Tortue Monopoussoir was produced in 18k yellow (as in this example), rose or white gold, there were jewelrymodels with diamond-set bezels, and the watches were also fitted with dials in various designs. According to our research, there are at least nine versions of the Tortue Monopoussoir, not including the two versions of the caliber, which add to the number of types. All this increases the appeal of the Tortue Monopoussoir as a collector’s item and allows the collector to do their own research and find new, fascinating types. It should also be borne in mind that, according to our estimate, the total production quantity of all types of Tortue Monopoussoir is probably no more than a thousand pieces, which means that the value of a watch in good condition tends to increase.

This Tortue Monopoussoir features the traditional matt white, silver-plated Cartier dial with “lotus” guilloché, recessed and finely grooved sub-dials, black printed scales and Roman numerals, not forgetting the “secret” Cartier ‘signatureon the Roman VII, as well as magnificent blued hands in the style of the “Pomme de Breguet”.