A highly attractive and elegant, Tortue, wristwatch in yellow gold, with Tridor gold bracelet.
Model Tortue Reference 10712 Case Material Yellow gold Bracelet Material Yellow, pink and white gold Cartier bracelet, approximate length 185mm Year Circa 1980s Movement Manual, cal. 7001, 17 jewels Case N° 0'877 Dimensions 28mm width x 33mm length Signed Dial, Movement and Case
A truly iconic representation of Cartier’s enduring design philosophy, the present lot is an exquisite tortue wristwatch, a refined homage to the maison’s pioneering Tortue model. This design, first introduced by the esteemed French jeweler and watchmaker Cartier in the early 1910s, stands as a testament to the brand’s early embrace of shaped watches, departing from the traditional round forms that dominated the era. This particular Tortue, powered by a meticulously crafted manual winding movement, presents a captivatingly petite profile, a characteristic that reflects the elegance of its vintage origins. Measuring 28 × 33 mm, the 18k yellow-gold case, a two-body construction featuring a gracefully curved, or bombé, sapphire crystal, has been remarkably well preserved, exhibiting only sporadic and gentle signs of wear, a testament to its careful stewardship over time. The watch’s bracelet is a veritable masterpiece of goldsmithing, a stunning blend of yellow, pink, and white gold, woven together in a breathtakingly intricate braided texture. The white dial, a canvas of understated elegance, showcases the quintessential Cartier design elements. The classic black Roman numerals, rendered with sharp clarity, encircle the dial, their timeless form instantly recognizable. A closed outer minutes/seconds track, a delicate ring of precision, frames the numerals, adding a layer of functional refinement compleated by the blued steel hands. 
