Offered here is a highly rare, collectible and sought-after white-gold Cartier Ref.2396 Tortue Monopoussoir from the renowned “Collection Privée Cartier Paris” Collection.
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The Watch is running well in excellent condition. The Monopusher Chronograph functions perfectly.

The Dial is in its superb condition, with no significant markings or damages. Guilloche is clear and deep.

The Case is great condition, unpolished and left original with no deep scratches or any dings. Hallmarks are deep and crisp.

Year: Dated 2008

Full Set with its with Original Cartier white-gold deployment buckle, Original Cartier CPCP Box with Certificate of Origin and Cartier Folder.
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Brief summary:
An iconic case, a legendary calibre and an incredibly significant past, this timepiece is on a league of its own.
Launched in 1998 as a part of the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP for short). The Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir was part of a series of mechanical watches based on historical Cartier designs. The CPCP showed watch enthusiasts and collectors what Cartier was capable of producing at a time when the brand was known for producing quartz based time pieces.
Most models in the CPCP were designed for the men’s market and were available between 1998 and 2008 in very limited numbers (no more than 200-250 pieces) using mechanical movements from external suppliers, until the Fine Watchmaking Collection was introduced using movements developed in-house.

The classic Tortue Monopoussoir was introduced in 1999, as a part of that Collection Privée Cartier Paris, in three differing case-metals: white gold, yellow gold, and pink gold (with white gold being the most highly desirable).
Each bears its own vintage-inspired dial, with a mechanical movement developed by some of independent watchmaking’s finest.

The Tortue Ref.2396 offered here features a modern-style guilloche dial, replacing the design of the original model from 1920s, with the blued steel ‘Breguet’ style hands and inky blue minute track with contrasting pale grey numerals providing effortless Cartier elegance and a vintage feel.
The traditional Cartier sapphire is also now set in the octagonal winding crown rather than solid gold, as well as a larger and thicker case, measuring 43x35mm with a thickness of 10mm.

The movement, Calibre 045MC that powers the Tortue Monopoussoir was produced by THA Èbauche. Founded in 1996, THA was a collaborative movement manufacture by Vianney Halter, Denis Flageollet (founder of De Bethune), and François-Paul Journe (founder of F.P Journe). With this illustrious collection of watchmakers involved there is little surprise that the Calibre 045MC is such a work of art, both technically and visually.

The Calibre 045MC has a lever escapement and the balance beats at 21,600 A/h. Using a clutch system, the motion of the second wheel of the base movement to the chronograph’s central wheel in the Calibre 045MC is activated by a double swivel pin, removing the ‘jolt’ of the seconds hand that often takes place in chronographs operated by a lateral clutch.
The resulting smooth operation of the hand gliding across the dial is as beautiful as the movement itself, finished to perfection and visible through an ellipse sapphire exhibition case back.

It is worth noting that this example still retains its first generation calibre trademark. This can be easily spotted with its original designed bridge still intact at the 7 o’clock position.
Many do not know this, however if the earliest examples of the Tortue Monopoussoir is sent back to Cartier for servicing, the manufacturer actually removed the bridge entirely with some minor modifications, and thus the calibre is considered a “version 1.2” which are found in the later variants of the Tortue Monopoussoir.
Note*: This movement modification does not change its function whatsoever however for extremely detailed collectors, it is important for collection that care/wish for the watch to be entirely period correct, especially for future reference.

The combination of Cartier’s iconic design, the Tortue, and the mighty Calibre 045MC, made by three of the most coveted independent watchmakers, makes this Cartier a truly special watch that holds a place in horological history and no surprise why it has been extremely sought after by watch connoisseur worldwide today! Truly a timepiece not to be missed and a hallmark on anyones collection, especially for true Cartier connoisseurs!
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Please feel free to contact us for more questions or for a private viewing of the watch!
For more information do visit our Q&A post at https://carousell.app.link/roUoDh0y3kb

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