Introduction to the Cartier Roadster
One of Cartier’s most recent designs, the Roadster debuted in 2001. Despite its massive popularity, it was surprisingly (and disappointingly!) discontinued in 2012. However, the popularity of the Cartier Roadster, coupled with its relative youth as a product line, make it a great collector’s item and a perfect starting point for newcomers to the world of luxury watches. It's quite easy to find Roadsters in excellent or even mint condition on the secondary market.
Cartier Roadster Design and Features
The Cartier Roadster is a visually striking piece of design that draws inspiration from the sporty elegance of the classic convertibles of the '50s and '60s. It starts with the distinctive “tonneau” (French for “barrel”) case shape that Louis Cartier pioneered in 1906. In the Roadster, the proportions of the barrel have been tweaked to evoke the shape of a classic convertible car, viewed from above.
The automotive-inspired flourishes don’t stop there. The lugs feature recessed screws that recall the headlights of old Austin-Healeys. Perhaps most notably, the crown, bezel and cyclops lens on the date indicator are integrated into a single, smooth, flowing bullet shape that recalls the fins and taillights of classic Cadillacs. The cyclops, viewed on its own, takes its shape from the curved windshields of sports cars from the '50s.
Like many other Cartier watches, the Roadster was available with a variety of finishes (stainless steel, yellow, white and pink gold) and dials (black/blue/silver), but one in particular bears mentioning for its automotive roots. Most Roadsters have the traditional Cartier dial with Roman numerals, but some were made with a special dial – often referred to as a “Las Vegas” or “roulette” dial – that closely mimics the speedometer of one of the most famous sports cars of all time, the Porsche 356 Speedster. This dial is easily identifiable by its Arabic numerals and three-tone (black/white/red) color scheme that earned it its nickname.
Aside from the automotive touches, the Roadster offered the variety of complications and sizes that we’d expect from Cartier. The men’s sizes feature a mechanical movement and the options of GMT and chronograph functions, while the smaller women’s sizes use quartz movements.
A Roadster at the Intersection of Active Sport and Fashion
The Cartier Roadster, like the cars that inspired it, is a convertible in the true sense of the word. All of the Roadster models feature Cartier’s quick-release attachment, allowing the wearer to change the bracelet or strap in a matter of seconds without the use of any special tools. Add to this the fact that Cartier manufactures literally hundreds of different strap and bracelet designs for use with the system, and the Roadster becomes a true expression of personal style suited to any environment, occasion or outfit.
Beyond the extraordinary versatility afforded by the interchangeable straps, the Roadster is water-resistant to 100m. Despite an elegance that renders it unquestionably a dress watch, it also pairs well with a more dressed-down look and can easily handle the stresses of daily wear.
Note, too, that a later edition of the Roadster, called the Roadster S, takes this even further. The S is a stripped-down version of the Roadster available with DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating that offers exceptional scratch resistance coupled with a rubber strap for a tougher, even more sport-friendly version. The S was also priced comparatively inexpensively, making it the perfect choice for newcomers to Cartier or for anyone who refuses to sacrifice style even when engaging in more demanding physical activities.
Cartier Roadster Collectability and Price
The multitude of variants available in the Roadster line make it highly collectable. The smaller and most basic models are surprisingly affordable: a stainless steel women’s model in very good condition can often be found for as little as $2,000. Basic men’s models are a bit more expensive – starting around $2,500 – owing to their larger size and more complicated movements (mechanical, rather than quartz).
As expected, Roadsters made from gold rather than steel cost more, starting around $5,000 for smaller, straightforward models without complications. As size and complications increase, the prices vary considerably, with some extra-large men’s chronograph models reaching nearly $20,000 and diamond-studded women’s models regularly selling for over $15,000.
Rare Roadsters can increase in price even further, with certain combinations of size, material and complications pushing the price into the $20,000+ range. Additionally, several limited-edition series of Roadsters have been produced, such as the Walnut edition, which featured burled walnut center links on the bracelet and a matching dial made entirely of burled walnut. Only 150 of these special Walnut-edition watches were made, and prices reflect that, arriving in the $15-20,0000 range on the secondary market, despite the lack of complications like chronograph or GMT.
Roadster Care and Maintenance
Though the Roadster is relatively tough and waterproof to 100m, Cartier recommends a simple cleaning with a soft, dry cloth. Because of the sensitivity of some of the parts contained in the watch’s caliber, it is best to keep the watch away from strong magnets, which can affect the movement’s performance. Similarly, avoid wearing the watch in intense heat such as a sauna or other extreme environments.
To maintain the watch’s finish, Cartier recommends that you take it off before sleep and that you avoid situations that could cause scratching or strong impacts. For example, do not wear the watch while playing tennis and avoid wearing other jewelry on the same wrist.