Watches and Wonders 2026 has been held from April 14 to 20 at the impressive Palexpo in Geneva, and it promises to be the largest edition of the fair yet, featuring 65 brands under one roof. As the excitement builds, one luxury brand that consistently captures the attention of horology enthusiasts is Cartier.
Last year, during Watches and Wonders 2025, Cartier dazzled us with a stunning homage to its Tank heritage. The highlight was undoubtedly the revival of the Privé Tank à Guichets, along with a robust automatic version of the Tank Louis Cartier. The Panthère line also made waves with its striking new gem-set additions, complemented by the artistic Tressage collection.
However, for 2026, Cartier has decided to shift gears entirely. This year’s theme, "Watchmaker of Shapes, Master of Crafts," is evident in their compelling lineup. One of the most exciting announcements is the much-anticipated return of the Roadster after a 14-year hiatus! Additionally, the Tortue collection has undergone a complete overhaul, breathing new life into this iconic design.
Fans of the Santos-Dumont will be eager to see the latest iteration, featuring a bracelet that’s already generating buzz among fairgoers. Not to be overlooked is the skeletonised Crash, poised to become the most coveted Privé piece in recent memory. And if that’s not enough, Cartier is also unveiling a new Santos Chronograph, a Baignoire with a fresh finish, and the stunning Myst de Cartier, their latest take on a jewelry watch.
Stay tuned to this blog. We will provide a full breakdown of every collection Cartier brought to Watches and Wonders 2026.
Cartier Roadster
The Roadster was never quite like everything else in Cartier's catalogue. When it arrived in 2002, it pulled its personality from 1950s sports cars rather than early 20th-century Parisian design codes. Tonneau case, oversized conical crown, speedometer-dial, visible screws. Cartier pulled it from the lineup around 2012, and for the next fourteen years, collectors quietly paid premiums for used examples on the secondary market.
At Watches and Wonders 2026, the Roadster is officially back with seven new references across two sizes.
Roadster Large
The watch collection features four references. Each case measures 47mm from lug to lug, 38mm across, and 10.06mm in thickness. Powered by the Calibre 1847 MC automatic movement, the watches have a 42-hour power reserve and operate at a frequency of 4Hz. They also offer a water resistance of 100 meters, which is a significant improvement compared to most Cartier dress watches.
The standout piece of the collection is the steel model with a white dial and blue Roman numerals. This model is the most recognizable as a Roadster at first glance. The concentric circular striations are still present on the chapter ring, along with the chemin de fer minute track and the hidden Cartier signature at the VII position. However, upon closer inspection, you will notice that certain details have been refined. The Roman numerals are now applied instead of printed, enhancing the dial's depth. The date window at 3 o'clock is framed by a polished silver overlay, adding another layer of dimension. Additionally, the four screws that were once on the lugs have been repositioned to the bezel as rivets, resulting in a cleaner design without the visible drive slot.
One notable change is the removal of the rosette-like engraving on the central dial medallion from the original models. It has been replaced with a simple matte texture, which can be viewed as a minor loss.
The second steel model features a dark blue PVD dial, making it the only Roadster in the entire collection with a colored dial. This version comes with a navy rubber strap instead of an alligator one.
There are also two other models: a two-tone version in yellow gold and steel, and a full 18k yellow gold model. Both models feature white dials, gold hands, and gold hour markers. Pricing for these two has yet to be announced.
