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Cartier unveils the gorgeous new Roadster

The Parisian brand brings back this iconic model after a hiatus of about twelve years. It is (at present) available in two sizes, encompassing seven references.
Kunaal Khemka
April 24, 2026
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Cartier Roadster.

What is the new Cartier Roadster?

For Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, Cartier has reintroduced the Roadster. An automotive-inspired tonneau shaped watch displaying the hours-minutes-seconds and date, it was originally introduced in 2002, before being discontinued in 2014. Now with more balanced proportions, it returns to the brand’s catalogue once again.

Cartier Roadster.
Image: The Roadster has sword-shaped hour and minute hands. Steel with white dial has blue hands. Steel with dark blue PVD dial has anthracite hands. Yellow gold with white dial and Yellow gold / steel with white dial have yellow hands. Hands are made from non-alloyed steel.

“The Roadster watch has a streamlined design that accelerates time. Now, it’s making a comeback on the watchmaking scene after its original launch in 2002. When it was introduced, the Roadster borrowed bold codes from the world of mechanical bodywork, setting a standard among watchmaking connoisseurs. With its speedometer-inspired dial, conical crown, headlight-shaped date magnifier, rivets and screws, the watch boasted a bold, powerful design that reflected the Cartier brothers’ interest in the mechanical world and technological advancement.”

What are the dial features?

Cartier Roadster.
Image: Dial making at Cartier. In the new Roadster (as compared to the original one of 2002 – 2014), “the difference lies in the meticulous decorative techniques, an ‘appliqué’ effect created by a stamping tool, which adds relief, and a varnish applied to the index and a transferred rail track.” Notice the vertical “Cartier” on the Roman “7,” a hallmark of the brand’s design.

Speedometer-inspired dial. Circular inner-dial features a railway track denoting the hours, minutes and seconds. The markers for the hours are coated with Super-LumiNova. Outer-dial features the Roadster design’s “circular striated” or thin parallel streaks with Roman numeral hour-markers, the latter coated with Super-LumiNova. Sword-shaped hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova.

What are the case and bracelet features of the Large models?

Cartier Roadster.
Image: Large model in steel with dark blue PVD dial on its navy-blue rubber strap, showcasing the versatility of the Roadster.

Large models encompass four references:

Steel with white dial and steel bracelet (centre on header image). Additional semi-matt navy-blue alligator leather skin strap provided.

Yellow gold with white dial and yellow gold bracelet (right on header image). Additional semi-matt dark-grey alligator leather skin strap provided.

Yellow gold and steel with white dial and yellow gold / steel bracelet.  Additional semi-matt grey alligator leather skin strap provided.

Steel with dark blue PVD dial with steel bracelet. Additional navy-blue rubber strap provided.

Large models measure 47.2 mm (length) * 38.8 mm (width) * 10.06 mm (thickness). Dial side features a square-shaped glass. Closed caseback (made from steel on the steel and yellow gold / steel models and yellow gold on the yellow gold model). Water resistant up to 10 bar or approximately 100 metres.

The bracelets / straps feature the brand’s QuickSwitch® system for interchangeability, and the straps feature an interchangeable folding clasp (made from steel for the steel and yellow gold / steel models and yellow gold for the yellow gold model).

What are the case and bracelet features of the Medium models?

Cartier Roadster.
Image: A study in design, shapes and sizes. Medium model in steel with white dial on its steel bracelet.

Medium models encompass three references.

Steel with white dial and steel bracelet. Additional semi-matt navy-blue alligator leather skin strap provided.

Yellow gold with white dial and yellow gold bracelet. Additional semi-matt dark-grey alligator leather skin strap provided.

Yellow gold and steel with white dial and yellow gold / steel bracelet (left on header image).  Additional semi-matt grey alligator leather skin strap provided.

Medium models measure 42.5 mm (length) * 34.9 mm (width) * 9.71 mm (thickness). Dial side features a square-shaped glass. Closed caseback (made from steel on the steel and yellow gold / steel models and yellow gold on the yellow gold model). Water resistant up to 10 bar or approximately 100 metres.

Cartier Roadster.
Image: “This level of quality also applies to the Roadster watch’s bracelet, which the design studio has reworked to refine its aesthetics and optimize functionality. From the shorter, more ergonomic links to the interplay of polished and brushed surfaces, every detail elevates this metal bracelet, which is equipped with the patented QuickSwitch™ system that allows interchangeability.”

The bracelets / straps feature the brand’s QuickSwitch® system for interchangeability, and the straps feature an interchangeable folding clasp (made from steel for the steel and yellow gold / steel models and yellow gold for the yellow gold model).

Are the Large and Medium models powered by different movements?

Cartier Roadster.
Image: Calibre 1847 MC that powers the Large models. Both are workhorse movements used across the Cartier range. They are easily serviceable by qualified watchmakers worldwide. In addition, the brand’s service network across the world is excellent.

Yes. Large models are powered by Calibre 1847 MC and Medium models are powered by Calibre 1899 MC. Both are manufacture automatic movements that drive the hours, minutes, seconds and date. Calibre 1847 MC comprises 23 jewels, beats at 4 Hz or 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of 40 hours. Calibre 1899 MC comprises 24 jewels, beats at 4 Hz or 28,800 vph and has a power reserve of 38 hours. Both movements feature Côte de Genève or Geneva stripes.

What do we think?

Cartier Roadster.
Image: Incredible side view of the Large model in steel with dark blue PVD dial on its steel bracelet. Few brands are as creative as Cartier. Notice the curves of the case, pattern on the crown, placement of the screws and the mix of polished and satin-finished surfaces.

I had the opportunity to try several Cartier novelties in Geneva last week. The Roadster and Santos Dumont were my favourites. When it comes to making luxury and elegance accessible to a broader audience, few can match Cartier. The brand’s iconic Red Box is a universal symbol of luxury and romance by itself !

Cartier Roadster.
Image: I could imagine owning the steel version and wear it with its semi-matt navy-blue alligator leather skin strap.

A beautiful automotive-inspired watch, it evokes a feeling of luxury and elegance on the wrist (even the steel references) and versatility. Equally at ease with jeans and a suit. While the yellow gold references are priced on the higher side, the steel and yellow gold / steel references are accessible to a broader watch collecting audience. My personal favourites are both the large models in steel (white dial and dark blue PVD dial), worn with their respective leather or rubber straps. A future classic, the new Roadster promises to be a bestseller for the brand.

Additional Details

Name: Roadster

Large models

Reference: Steel with white dial and steel bracelet. Price: USD $10,200

Reference: Yellow gold with white dial and yellow gold bracelet. Price: USD $57,000

Reference: Yellow gold and steel with white dial and yellow gold / steel bracelet. Price: USD $20,000

Reference: Steel with dark blue PVD dial with steel bracelet. Price: USD $10,200

Medium models

Reference: Steel with white dial and steel bracelet. Price: USD $9,300

Reference: Yellow gold with white dial and yellow gold bracelet. Price: USD $51,500

Reference: Yellow gold and Steel with white dial and yellow gold / steel bracelet. Price: USD $18,300

(Prices are from the Cartier United States website.)

Please visit cartier.com to learn more about the Roadster and other Cartier novelties unveiled during Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026.

Stay tuned on The Cornea Impression social media channels and website as we bring you content from Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026.

 

 

 

 

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© 2026 The Cornea Impression