For Watches And Wonders 2026, Cartier have brought back one of their modern cult classics: The 2000s-era Roadster!
What more is there to say about Cartier? At this point, they are a brand that needs no introduction; the iconic jeweller-watchmakers have been staples in both industries since the late 19th and early 20th centuries respectively. Of course, with a tenure as long and storied as Cartier’s, you’d expect them to have plenty of incredible tales.
Some of these have already been thoroughly covered. Models like the Santos, the Tank, and the Panthère are all part of any Cartier lover’s lexicon. But despite a career history of home runs, the Richemont brand has never ceased its pursuit of contemporary innovation.
Cartier witnessed its second turn of the century in the 2000s, which became a breeding ground for wild, experimental designs the world over. This was an era where products like the original Xbox, the Motorola Razr V3, and the Sony Walkman all existed concurrently. In the watch world, Cartier found itself partaking in this grand experiment with the Cartier Roadster.
Debuting in 2001, the Roadster was a massive departure from the comparatively modest Cartier roster, taking its shape from classic automobile design. While it was discontinued in 2012, the brand has kept it dormant for 14 years, deciding Watches and Wonders 2026 was finally the time to revive and refresh this highly ambitious timepiece.
A Y2K Classic Returns
With seven new models making their way back into the catalogue, the Roadster’s return sees it come back in two different sizes. The ‘Large’ models, comprising four watches, measure 38mm in case diameter, with a 47mm lug-to-lug and 10.06mm thickness. Conversely, the remaining three ‘Medium’ models are 34.9mm across, 42.5mm long, and just 9.7mm thick.
Like other Cartier watches such as the Santos or Tortue, the on-paper dimensions belie the overall wearing experience. The curvature of the case allows the watch to hug close to the wrist, while the tonneau silhouette makes it appear visually larger. It’s a slight dissonance, as the comfort-to-legibility ratio doesn’t quite line up for those used to conventional watches, but it’s something to be expected given the sport-leaning nature of the Roadster.
A key focus of the Roadster’s redesign, however, lies in its bracelet. It’s been significantly reworked, with shorter links that allow it to articulate more naturally around the wrist. This results in a more comfortable and secure fit, enhancing the overall wearing experience. Just like its predecessor, the Roadster integrates Cartier’s QuickSwitch system, permitting seamless, tool-less strap changes.
Each Roadster, save for one, comes standard on a metal bracelet, either in steel, two-tone 18k yellow gold, or full gold depending on the reference. However, each also has a complementary leather strap available to switch at a moment’s notice. The steel versions come with a matte navy blue alligator strap, the two-tone and full gold variants come with matte grey, and the blue PVD dial rendition comes with colour-matched rubber straps instead of bracelet and leather.
Contemporary, Campy, & Cool
Though much of the original design DNA remains, the new Cartier Roadster collection is a reinterpretation of what made the originals so beloved. The signature elements have been maintained, all of which evoke the golden era of classic car manufacturing.
These features include a riveted bezel, a speedometer-inspired dial, and that headlight-shaped date magnifier at three o’clock. The magnifier also integrates seamlessly into the surprisingly cabochon-less crown, which instead adopts a conical aesthetic akin to the nose cone of a ’50s Studebaker Commander.
What stands out is how unabashedly camp the Roadster is. The design is still recognisably Cartier; who else would those Roman numerals, railroad minute track, and sword hands belong to in conjunction? Yet it manages to strike a balance between period-specific and timeless design. It’s a watch that wears its inspiration clearly on its sleeve and makes no apologies for doing so. The standard steel variants come with a white dial and blue numerals outlined in steel, while the gold and two-tone models feature grey numerals outlined in gold. The blue version, by contrast, is equipped with white numerals.
Two Sizes, Two Movements
Within each size of the Roadster are two different movements, though both are equally impressive. The large models are equipped with the Calibre 1847 MC, while the medium versions utilise the Calibre 1899 MC.
Both beat at the luxury standard of 4Hz (28,800VpH), though the Calibre 1847 MC edges out the Calibre 1899 MC with two additional hours of power reserve – 42 over 40. The Calibre 1847 MC, prevalent in several Santos de Cartier models, is the brand’s go-to, while the Calibre 1899 MC is a miniaturised movement most commonly found in the Tank Américaine line.
Each watch comes with a date complication, made visible through that iconic magnifier. Each is colour-matched in accordance with whichever model you purchase. The steel models have a white date wheel with blue text, while the gold models stick with the classic white and black. The blue model, on the other hand, flips the script with white text over a blue backdrop.
Initial Thoughts
With the number of classic models Cartier has revived of late, it was only a matter of time before this one returned. I’ve always loved the adventurous angle Cartier took with the Roadster. For a brand so concrete in its aesthetic, this collection was a massive departure from several Cartier conventions. Yet they still managed to ground it in the same design language that made them so beloved in the first place.
That being said, the original Roadsters were certainly products of their time. But with Watches and Wonders 2026, Cartier has turned the cult classic into a modern legend, refining the 2000s-era ergonomic hiccups of the original without compromising its identity. It’s a welcome change of pace in the Cartier house, and anything less would be a disservice to the Roadster’s legacy. After all, why should it fit in if it was born to stand out?
References:
Large: CRWSRD0020 (Steel) / CRW2RD0010 (Two-Tone) / CRWGRD0012 (Gold) / CRWSRD0014 (Blue)
Medium: CRWSRD0019 (Steel) / CRW2RD0009 (Two-Tone) / CRWGRD0011 (Gold)
Specifications:
| Dimensions | Large: 38mm case diameter x 47mm lug-to-lug x 10.06mm thickness Medium: 34.9mm case diameter x 42.5mm lug-to-lug x 9.7mm thickness |
| Case | Stainless steel / Two-Tone steel & gold / 18k yellow gold |
| Dial | All Steel/Two-Tone/Yellow Gold Models: White with blue / grey/ gold accents Large Steel Blue Dial: Dark blue PVD with white accents |
| Crystal | Sapphire with headlight-shaped date magnifier |
| Caseback | TBC |
| Movement | Large: Automatic Cal. 1847 MC with date complication Medium: Automatic Cal. 1899 MC with date complication |
| Power Reserve | 1847 MC, Large: 42h 1899 MC, Medium: 40h |
| Beat Rate | 4Hz / 28,800VpH |
| Water Resistance | 100m / 10bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | All Steel/Two-Tone/Yellow Gold Models: Interchangeable Stainless steel / Two-Tone steel & gold / 18k yellow gold bracelet with folding clasp OR Complementary interchangeable alligator leather strap in matte navy blue / matte grey with steel / gold folding buckle Large Steel Blue Dial: Dark blue rubber strap with steel folding buckle, extra strap included) |