The Tortue, the turtle-shaped watch that Louis Cartier first produced in 1912, has been reimagined multiple times over the past century—in the late 1920s, the early 2000s, and again in 2024—but it has been given yet another revamp for 2026. The newest Tortue features a slightly more rounded case, with softer, more generous lines than previous iterations. Cartier has unveiled a collection of five references for everyday wear, along with an “evening version” and two stunning métiers d’art watches. All eight showcase the new shape and are powered by the in-house calibre 430 MC, but offer varying degrees of glitz and glamor. The daily beaters, available in small or mini size, come in yellow, white, and rose gold, with diamonds on the bezel of the latter two. The platinum evening version is also decked with diamonds.
That sparkle pales in comparison to the Panthère Mêtiers d’Art Tortue. Offered in white or yellow gold, the limited edition features an incredible tableau of a panther caught in the rain. (Both the panther and the droplets are rendered in champlevé enamel, which stretches from the dial across the case.) “I am particularly proud of the enamelling, which extends from the dial to the case middle and demonstrates a rare level of skill passionately maintained by our craftsmen at the Maison des Métiers d’Art,” Karim Drici, senior vice president and chief operating officer at Cartier, said in a statement. To top it off, quite literally, the piece is covered with intricate enamel droplets and adorned with two precious gems for the panther’s eyes. Only 100 of each version will be made.
Case Size: 20.9 mm (mini), 26.7 mm (small), 33 mm (evening version), 34.8 mm (métiers d’art watch)
Case Material: Yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or platinum and white or yellow gold
Power reserve: 43 hours
Strap: Blue, red, gray, or green alligator
Price: Small gold $13,900, mini white gold $21,400, small white gold $28,700, mini rose gold $19,900, small rose gold $26,800