Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir CPCP 2356 B

Ref. 2356BA very rare, fine, and attractive yellow gold single-button chronograph wristwatch

Manufacturer: Cartier Year: Circa 1999 Reference No: 2356B Case No: No. 0125 CC Model Name: Tortue Monopoussoir CPCP Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 045 MC, 22 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp Dimensions: 34mm Width and 43mm Length Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed. When the brand released the Cartier Privée Collection Paris (CPCP) in 1998, it offered an opportunity to update and modernize some of their most cherished and iconic designs. This extended to the Tortue model, first introduced by Cartier in 1912 and fitted with a European Watch and Clock movement. It was with great pride and fanfare that they reintroduced the Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir in 1999, alongside a flying tourbillon and time-only version. Named “tortue à pattes” or “turtle on legs”, it was a symbol of good fortune and longevity. The new watch was larger and contemporary, featuring the all-new chronograph caliber 045MC. This new movement is historic as it was co-developed by Vianney Halter, Denis Flageollet, and Francois-Paul Journe through their firm at the time, Techniques Horlogères Appliquées (THA). Together, they developed a single-button chronograph movement with a lever escapement and clutch system with a swivel pin. Essentially, this upgrade does away with the “jolt” or “skip” the user feels when re-setting the seconds hand and allows for a smoother re-set function. The CPCP only released watches from 1998 until 2008, when Cartier launched its Fine Watchmaking Collection, featuring in-house, highly complicated movements. Recently, the market has begun to acknowledge the sheer beauty and technical mastery of watches from the CPCP collection, in particular Monopouissoir models, and the current lot offers a rare opportunity to obtain this outstanding combination of horological innovation and classical aesthetics.