Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir 2356
Collection : Tortue Monopoussoir
Model reference : 2356
Case/Size : Yellow gold, 43x35mm
Dial : Silver with black accents
Movement : Manual-winding
Functions : Hours, minutes
Condition : Excellent
Accessories : Accompanied by a Cartier international warranty, product literature and a red leather presentation box
1990s was a defining decade for the mechanical watch industry. It had recovered from the quartz crisis and was gaining momentum again. These were the times when the watch forums, blogs and social media were non-existent. Just true connoisseurs sharing their passion for mechanical watches. Although within the small community, the interest in high-end mechanical movements could be reeked in the air.
And Cartier could smell it. In 1998, Cartier dedicated a separate division for mechanical watches, as a special collection called Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP).
It comprised of some iconic models such as the Santos, Tank and Tortue, with movements manufactured by other big names within the watch industry such as JLC, Piaget, Frederique Piguet and THA Èbauche among the others. The calibers were then finished in-house by Cartier before housing them into some of its historic designs. Some pieces were made as a limited edition of 100pcs and others were a limited production of 200 – 250 timepieces.
CPCP was operational between 1998 and 2008, after which Cartier decided to dive deep into high-end in-house watchmaking dedicating a new manufacturer in 2008 called the Fine Watchmaking (FWM). It did not generate expected results and was shut down in 2018.
The present watch is one of the rare CPCP Tortue Monopoussoir (reference 2356) housing a hand-wound movement made by THA Èbauche. THA was an independent movement manufacture by Vianney Halter, Denis Flageollet (founder of De Bethune), and François-Paul Journe. One can only imagine how special this timepiece is.
The 43x35mm high-polished yellow gold tortue case features a white guilloche dial with the minutes track, chrono counters and the logo printed in ink black. The yellow gold polished dot markers compliment the case. And the heat-blued Breguet hands match with the rest of the dial.
On the inside is the Calibre 045MC made by three of the most coveted independent watchmakers. The movement architecture is a work of art. The bridges are decorated with the Cartier logo and feature a find hand-beveling on the edges.
This ultimate collector’s piece comes as a full set, on a brown leather strap and yellow gold Cartier deployant clasp.
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