Manufacturer: Cartier Year: Circa 2006 Reference No: 2610E Case No: 20/25 Model Name: Tortue Minute Repeater Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 9401 MC, 34 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp Dimensions: 35.5mm width x 43mm length Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Cartier Certificate of Origin, product literature, Cartier presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Cartier introduced the Tortue in 1912, a name derived from the French word for "turtle," making it one of Cartier's oldest shapes, surpassed in age only by the Santos-Dumont (1904). Always pushing the boundaries of aesthetics and design, Louis Cartier broke convention by eschewing the traditional round wristwatch, favouring an unusual and elongated case design. By the 1920s, Cartier began incorporating complications like monopushers and minute repeaters into the Tortue, marking some of the brand's earliest efforts to combine its distinctive style with mechanical innovation.
The present limited edition yellow gold tonneau-shaped minute repeating wristwatch is from Cartier’s Privée Collection Paris (CPCP), launched in 1998. The watch is number 20 of a limited edition of 25 examples, and is a modern-day interpretation of the storied model. Fitted with a minute repeating mechanism that chimes with great tone and clarity, the present watch pays tribute to Cartier's past, while staying absolutely modern in its proportions. It is furthermore preserved in excellent, and most probably unpolished condition and accompanied by its original accessories.
The watch is offered at auction for the first-time, having been donated to Chabad of Hunterdon County, which provides assistance and guidance to disadvantaged youth. With the 2024 release of the Tortue Monopusher within the brand’s flagship Cartier Privé collection, the present lot is a wonderful opportunity to acquire an exceptional Tortue model housing perhaps one of the most prestigious high complications that can be found in a wristwatch.
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.
Ref. 2610E A highly rare and attractive limited edition yellow gold tonneau-shaped minute repeating wristwatch with certificate of origin and presentation box, with proceeds of the sale benefitting Chabad of Hunterdon County
Circa 2006 35.5mm width x 43mm length Case, dial, movement and buckle signed.
