Tortue Watch

Tortue

Since its creation in 1912, the Tortue watch has occupied a special place in Cartier's watchmaking repertoire. It is one of the brand's most iconic shaped watches, born of the desire to create a dialogue between curves and rigid lines.

The fruit of Cartier's innovative spirit, it quickly became one of the Maison's most desirable watches thanks to its singular shape. There have been many interpretations of this connoisseur's watch, and it returned to the fore in 2024 with Cartier Privé, when a design was unveiled that had been reworked but nevertheless stayed true to the original model.

Between purity and opulence: the new faces of the Tortue watch

Minimalism and chic

Today, the Tortue watch is part of a new collection. Completely reimagined by the design studio, it features new volumes and proportions that are rounder and more generous. The lines are softened, to the point of feeling fully rounded to the touch for greater tactility and smoothness.

There are five new versions available in combinations of polished yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and diamond-set. These delicate and strikingly elegant watches are available in small and mini models.

The Maison’s traditional watchmaking codes blend with new ones in this sleek new design. The iconic Roman numerals have been preserved, but the classic guilloché pattern on the dial has been replaced by an embossed motif that adds relief. The classic rail track has been transformed into a line of dots, paying homage to a historic watch from 1922 that featured a dotted line on the bezel. Lastly, on the graphic, minimalist dial, Cartier’s secret signature has been integrated into a stroke of the numeral X.

The yellow gold watch with a black patent leather strap features a winding crown set with a sapphire cabochon. In a precious version combining jewellery and watchmaking expertise, the Maison is releasing a model in rose gold and a model in white gold, each available in two sizes. For the pavé diamonds on the bezel, the design studio opted for a cut-down setting, which reduces the metal on the sides and maximises the gems’ brilliance. The octagonal crown is set with an inverted diamond. The white gold version has a blue patent alligator leather strap, while the rose gold version has a burgundy strap. The story of the Tortue watch continues, with dazzlingly precious creations.

When baguette diamonds enhance the Tortue watch

With its timeless, instantly recognisable design, the Tortue watch has a new look and comes in an ultra-precious evening version enhanced by baguette-cut diamonds, a cut emblematic of the Maison since 1910.

The bezel of this platinum LM watch is paved with 46 baguette-cut diamonds, a precious touch that extends to the octagonal winding crown paved with an inverted brilliant-cut diamond. Platinum, a material from the earliest stages of Cartier’s history that exalts the brilliance of stones, is the ultimate choice.

All the watch’s codes are there, from the Roman numerals encircled by the rail track to the secret signature in the numeral VII, highlighted by the rhodium-plated apple-shaped hands that turn serenely in the centre of the guilloché dial. Everything, right down to the 32 diamonds on the bracelet’s white gold ardillon buckle, evokes the ultimate in refinement.

This exercise in intense sophistication totals 3.41 carats and beats to the rhythm of the 430 MC mechanical manufacture movement, one of Cartier’s finest.

At Cartier, the Panther is everywhere. It even appears on shaped watches, like the Tortue, gazing mysteriously out from behind a curtain of rain. At rest, it seems to be observing, contemplating the falling drops. To create this tableau, the watchmakers of the Maison des Métiers d’Art and Cartier’s design studio have given the iconic feline even greater room for expression, extending it to the watch’s case middle.

The masterful use of champlevé enamel has made it possible to create a motif on two levels, playing with depth between the feline and the rain curtain. To make the drops, the craftsmen created tiny cavities in which they placed translucent enamel powder and gold or silver flakes. The slightly domed enamel of the drops stands in contrast to the Panther motif.

Over 15 different tones were used in each piece, requiring more than 36 separate firings. It took 80 hours to enamel the dial and 50 hours to enamel the case. 3 hours were spent setting the eyes.

Produced in two limited editions of 100 pieces each, this watch comes in two different colour palettes: one in white gold with emerald eyes, the other in yellow gold with tsavorite eyes. Further proof that the magnetism of Cartier’s favourite feline is endlessly inspiring.

Tortue Panthère Métiers d’Art Watch: Two Cartier Myths Meet

“The Maison des Métiers d’Art is a unique space where tradition, innovation and creativity meet. The Tortue Panthère Métiers d’Art Watch is a dazzling illustration of this and reflects what makes     Cartier               exceptional,      combining               watchmaking   and jewellery to explore new territories. I am particularly proud of the enamelling, which extends from the dial to the case middle and demonstrates a rare level of skill passionately maintained by our craftsmen at the Maison des Métiers d’Art.”

Karim Drici, Senior Vice President Chief Operating Officer