The Cartier Tortue was introduced in 1912 by Louis Cartier, making it one of the brand’s earliest shaped wristwatches. Its tonneau-shaped case, inspired by a tortoise shell, broke away from traditional round watch designs of the early 20th century. Over time, the Tortue became a platform for Cartier’s high-end watchmaking, especially within the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) line, which featured manual-wind complications like monopusher chronographs, minute repeaters, and classic time-only references.
The design combines curved lines with Art Deco details, notably Roman numerals, rail-track minute markers, and large blued hands. Models were typically produced in precious metals. While less common than the Tank or Santos, the Tortue stands out for its historical importance, refined proportions, and appeal to collectors who value Cartier’s early contributions to uniquely shaped case designs.
