The Cartier Tortue may not be as widely recognised as the Cartier Tank or the Cartier Santos, yet it remains one of Cartier’s most enduring and distinctive designs. Introduced in 1912, the Tortue was only the third wristwatch design created by Cartier, following the Santos-Dumont andthe Tonneau. Much like its early counterparts, it stood apart from the predominantly round watches of the era with its elegant tortoise shell–inspired shape. Despite its long history, the Tortue has always been produced in relatively small numbers, making it a rare and refined sight today.

The present example is a lovely 18k yellow gold execution measuring 24 x 25 mm — a beautifully balanced and elegant proportion on the wrist.

This particular version was created to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Cartier, founded in 1847. The dial is a crisp, bright white and features unusual red numerals along the minute track — a detail not often seen from Cartier. It retains the classic black painted Roman numerals, blued steel hands, and a subtle monogram pattern across the centre of the dial. At six o’clock, the dial is signed with “L❤️C,” which we interpret as “Love Cartier,” a charming and celebratory touch.

The watch is paired with the strap shown and fitted with an original 18k yellow gold Cartier pin buckle.

Its quartz movement has been fully checked by our watchmaker and fitted with a fresh battery, ready to be worn and enjoyed.

A rare and characterful Tortue, combining historic design with a playful anniversary twist. Feel free to get in touch for further details.

Specifications:

Cartier Tortue “1847” 150th anniversary
Yellow gold case 24 x 25mm
Serial MG23xxxx dating to 1997
White dial with L❤️C , Roman numerals with blued hands
Blued hands and blue cabochon crown
Quartz driven movement
Comes on the shown strap ,original 18k yellow gold Cartier pin buckle.
Fully checked by our watchmaker ,fresh battery fitted
One-year mechanical warranty
Free worldwide Fedex Priority shipping

Cartier Tortue "1847” 150th Anniversary in 18k Yellow Gold

Cartier Tortue "1847” 150th Anniversary in 18k Yellow Gold

Before/after