Cartier, Paris

Cartier, Paris

Monopoussoir Tortue à Pattes

A very fine, rare and slim tonneau-form yellow gold single-button chronograph wristwatch with register and gold deployant buckle, Circa 1929

Dial: silvered dial signed Cartier, black enamel radial Roman numerals and outer chemin-de-fer minute ring combined with chronograph 1/5 second calibrations, two recessed subsidiary dials with black enamel calibrations for constant seconds at 9 o’clock and 30-minute register at 3 o’clock, blued steel Breguet hands, central chronograph seconds hand with counterpoised moon-tipped tail

Calibre: 11’’’ circular Victorin Piguet ébauche finished by LeCoultre (cal. 11 JCCV) signed European Watch and Clock Co. Inc., damascened Côtes de Genève decoration to backplate, satin finished chronograph bridgework with polished chamfered edges, lever escapement, 25 jewels, bi-metallic compensation balance with timing and poising screws, 8 adjustments, Breguet hairspring

Movement number: movement numbered beneath dial 31’818

Case: 18k yellow gold polished tonneau-form case, beaded cabochon sapphire-set crown/chronograph pusher, back secured by four screws to case sides, left case side with rubbed eagle assay, gold screw-set bar lugs, inside case back etched signed European Watch and Clock Co. Inc., France and hand stamped 23’292, bezel interior hand stamped 23’292

Case number: outside case back engraved initials L.B.M., hand stamped numbering 31’818, 23’292 and rubbed French eagle’s head assay and Edmond Jaeger punch mark

Closure: black unsigned leather strap and 18k yellow gold deployant clasp stamped twice with French eagle’s head assay, Edmond Jaeger punch mark and marked Cartier 18k

Size: 34 mm length x 26 mm width

Accessories: none

One of the most important and iconic Cartier models, the Monopoussoir Tortue à Pattes is among the rarest and most desirable watches ever made by the Maison. Charmingly referred to as the Tortue à Pattes – Turtle with Paws – the case of this Cartier single-button chronograph resembles the form of a turtle or tortoise with outstretched legs. It is perhaps more than a happy coincidence that Cartier chose the Tortue shape, as tortoises have long been associated with longevity and resilience. Louis Cartier’s first Tortue wristwatch design was released in 1912. The Tortue case was later chosen by Cartier to house its most iconic vintage complication wristwatches, including their extremely rare minute repeaters and a series of single-button chronographs. Indeed, the first complication Tortue wristwatch is believed to be the monopoussoir/single-button chronograph, first introduced either at the very end of 1927 or 1928.

These Tortue chronographs were produced in very limited numbers during the 1920s and 1930s. Our research suggests that approximately 15-18 examples are currently known to the market. However, some of these may be duplicates, as limited data on numbering and restoration (such as dial refinishing or case polishing) makes precise identification challenging. The available data suggests that most Tortue chronographs were completed between 1928 and 1929, however, there is evidence that three examples may already have been finished in December 1927. Production appears to have paused during the early 1930s, with the next known example completed in 1936. This aligns with the effects of the Wall Street Crash, which devastated the luxury goods market and significantly suppressed demand, particularly for the most complex and expensive watches. According to our research, the present watch was made in circa 1929.