At the 2024 Watches & Wonders Geneva, Cartier introduced the vintage-inspired Privé Tortue Monopusher Chronograph. Its design faithfully revives elements from the 1928 Tortue chronograph, while the new 1928 MC movement uniquely features a barrel-shaped mainplate mirroring the case’s form, making this one of the most attention-grabbing chronographs of the year.
The Tortue line is among Cartier’s most historic watch collections, launched in 1912 and named after the French word for “turtle” due to its elegant tonneau-shaped case.
This new model preserves the refined spirit of the 1920s Tortue watches while adapting to modern visual proportions. The tonneau-shaped yellow gold case measures just 10.2mm in thickness, with a carefully reimagined silhouette. The bezel is broader and more rounded than the original, and the three-dimensional crown enhances operability, topped with a domed-cut sapphire.
The grained champagne dial retains the dual-subdial layout: a 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock and a small seconds at 9 o’clock. Circular guilloché adds depth to the subdials, while triangular motifs at the corners echo the case’s shape. Classic Cartier elements—Breguet-style hands, railroad track chapter ring, and numerals—complete the dial.
This new model preserves the refined spirit of the 1920s Tortue watches while adapting to modern visual proportions. The tonneau-shaped yellow gold case measures just 10.2mm in thickness, with a carefully reimagined silhouette. The bezel is broader and more rounded than the original, and the three-dimensional crown enhances operability, topped with a domed-cut sapphire.
The grained champagne dial retains the dual-subdial layout: a 30-minute chronograph counter at 3 o’clock and a small seconds at 9 o’clock. Circular guilloché adds depth to the subdials, while triangular motifs at the corners echo the case’s shape. Classic Cartier elements—Breguet-style hands, railroad track chapter ring, and numerals—complete the dial.
The watch is powered by the new 1928 MC manual-winding movement, beating at 28,800 vph with a 44-hour power reserve.
It comes on an alligator leather strap and is priced at USD 51,000, limited to 200 pieces.
Specifications:
Case: Yellow gold, 43.7 × 34.8 × 10.2mm,Crown: Faceted, set with domed sapphire,Crystal: Sapphire,Dial: Grained champagne, blue-steel hands,Movement: 1928 MC manual-winding, 28,800 vph, 44-hour power reserve,Strap: Alligator leather, pin buckle,Water resistance: 30 meters,Complications: Chronograph (monopusher).
