One of 25 examples of the Collection Prive Cartier Paris Tortue Minute Repeater reference 2610E* in yellow gold. A modern update on the original, yet retaining most of the attractive features of its traditional style. The watch is fitted with the calibre 9401 MC, based on an F. Piguet bauche.

The Tortues history goes back to 1912, when it was created by Louis Cartier as the brands third wristwatch design, following the the Santos Dumont and the Tonneau. Its shape, which is an exaggeration of the tonneau form, came to house a monopusher chronograph as well as a minute repeater in the late 1920s. Both complications were reinterpreted as part of Cartiers renaissance in the 1990s, in the form of the Collection Prive Cartier Paris.

The CPCP Tortue Minute Repeater, first seen in 2003 was produced in yellow, rose and white gold, with 25 examples produced in each metal. The proportions 35.5mm across and 43mm tall were modern yet not a world removed from the original (which measured around 32mm across and 40mm tall). The dial architecture bore the characteristics typical of the CPCP line.

In terms of the movement, this example in yellow gold is fitted with the calibre 9401 MC, based on an F. Piguet bauche. Seen through the sapphire caseback, the movement wears an open layout, although the mainspring and crown wheels are obscured by a bridge. The strike train, responsible for the sonnerie, is partially visible. The hour hammer is immediately adjacent to the balance bridge. North of it lies the minute hammer. Each one interacts with its own gong, producing sounds of different frequencies the minute hammer produces a higher frequency note while the hour gong produces a lower frequency sound. The resulting sonnerie is subtle but distinct. Also audible is the faint mechanical whir of the strike train, while each of the bridges are decorated with a repeating double C brand mark.

The monocoque upper case has a fluid form that appears entirely organic. The edges are soft, with the left flank, and the deep cleft on the left top lug, integrating the stepped slider for the minute repeater. The lugs, 18mm apart, are drilled through, with the strap secured by screwed lugs. The watch comes on an alligator grained black leather strap with a yellow gold deployant clasp. The caseback, secured by four screws, wears engravings detailing the brand mark, country of origin, precious metal hallmarks as well as the reference and serial numbers. Even the angular edges of the crown feature softened edges. It is topped by a sapphire cabochon.

Underneath the heavily domed sapphire crystal which almost seamlessly meets the curvature of the case is the dial replete with several CPCP details. Beyond the rose motif around the cannon pinion, roseate guilloche billows across the dial. The outer chapter of black Roman hours is followed by a chemin de fer minutes track. The oversized Cartier Paris mark dominates the top half of the dial. The Breguet hours and minutes hands are heat blued. The subsidiary seconds register is framed by a steel ring followed by a sector-style chemin de fer track and Arabic seconds at intervals of 10. The seconds hand is thin, with a rounded counterweight. It is heat blued.

The watch is in excellent condition, having been only very lightly worn by the owner in its first week of purchase, and comes with its original box.

Closer look

Condition

This Cartier Tortue Minute Repeater is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs show very light superficial marks, consistent with minimal wear over time. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections. All hallmarks and engravings on both the watch and deployment buckle are crisp and well defined.

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year, limited warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.