2762 Cartier CPCP Tortue Monopoussoir

The Monopoussoir is dead, long live the Monopoussoir. Yes, there’s a new Monopoussoir around but CPCP will always be a more significant moment in Cartier’s long and storied ascent out of the treacherous 1980s. There is just so much to this watch, culturally and tangibly. And I don’t even think one necessarily needs the sole Roman 12 dial. Sure, it’s specific to CPCP. Yet, frankly, so is this; the dials in the new Monopusher and 1920s OG are both circular, where this Roman track follows the curvature of the Tortue case. More applied furniture would be great, but let’s be honest what you really want in a Monopoussoir is a guilloché dial, which sadly has not survived. Plus, a young FP Journe, Denis Flageollet (of De Bethune), and Vianney Halter all had a hand in constructing this truly impressive monopusher.

Cartier is about design first and foremost; the exterior is very respectful to the original Monopoussoir, Cartier’s first chronograph from the 1920s. The 43x35mm Tortue case runs deep in Cartier’s past, as only the tortoise-inspired proportion was released after only the first Santos Dumont and Tonneau. It’s older than the Tank. What’s so special about this monopusher chronograph? In the words of Mr. Flagellet, ‘We were young, we had no doubts and we created incredible objects together that would be difficult to make today.’

The calibre 045 used a clutch system and swivel pin to engage the chronograph wheel. These extra components remove the jolt that the central chronograph hand will experience with a lateral clutch. This was a lot of engineering, a ground-up chronograph redesign for a Mono. All for the sake of an elegant chronograph engagement. That’s commitment to THA’s uncompromising ethos, a round of applause please. The decoration is polarizing, but the history is not. Around 200 of these calibres could be built yearly, which means there is a total production of just under 2000 pieces (CPCP ran from 1998 to 2008), as some were cased in squared Tank cases as well. The new Mono is genuinely fantastic by all appearances. The CPCP will always be that touch more romantic for pulling Cartier from the ashes at the hands of three very talent watchmakers. But hey, take your pick. If you love Cartier, it’s turtles all the way down.

This example appears lovely. I see light superficial wear, hairlines. Its engravings appear great. It’s just as you’d want. The set is no longer there, but it’s frankly a bit of a value because of it. It comes from a well-regarded London retailer.