Cartier Roadster

Some watches arrive ahead of their time. Introduced at the dawn of the 21st century, the Cartier Roadster broke from the maison's traditional playbook, pairing Cartier's unmistakable elegance with the muscular stance of a modern sports watch. Inspired by the streamlined curves of 1950s European sports cars, its tonneau-shaped case, flowing bracelet, and distinctive magnified date window made it one of the brand's boldest contemporary designs.

Long appreciated by collectors, the Roadster enjoyed a remarkable resurgence in 2026, when Cartier reintroduced the collection to widespread acclaim. The revival underscored what enthusiasts had known all along: the Roadster's sculptural design had aged exceptionally well, feeling every bit as fresh today as when it first debuted.

This Ref. W62031Y4-2510 features the collection's versatile 38mm x 43mm two tone stainless steel and 18K gold case, topped by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with the Roadster's signature integrated Cyclops magnifier over the date display. The silver sunray dial showcases bold, radial black Roman numerals surrounding an inner railroad minute track, while luminescent sword-shaped hands provide excellent legibility in classic Cartier fashion. A reliable automatic winding movement ticks within to ensure everyday wearing convenience.

Fitted to its two tone original stainless steel bracelet with double deployant clasp, the Roadster also incorporates Cartier's ingenious quick-change system, allowing the bracelet or strap to be swapped in seconds without tools—a feature that was years ahead of its time and remains one of the collection's defining innovations.

The Roadster occupies a unique place within Cartier's storied catalog. Sportier than a Tank, more unconventional than a Santos, yet unmistakably Cartier in every detail, it represents one of the maison's most distinctive modern designs. With the renewed enthusiasm surrounding the collection, there has rarely been a better moment to rediscover one of Cartier's most charismatic creations.

Despite being a purveyor of haute joaillerie, Cartier has had a long tradition of watchmaking.

It started in 1904, when founder Louis Cartier made what was one of the first wristwatches for his friend Alberto Santos-Dumont. In the following years, the brand made a name for itself with its most famous wristwatch, the Tank, in all its multitudinous forms.

Cartier introduced the Tank in 1917 — which was supposedly inspired by the Renault FT-17 tanks seen on the battlefields of World War I — with a run of six pieces. (According to legend, these were given to American General John J. Pershing and his staff.) Cartier took the look of the Renault tank's treads and applied it to the watch's lugs, which were integrated via brancards into the case itself. That first run of six pieces increased to 33 by 1920, and by the end of the 20th Century, that number stood well in the hundreds of thousands. Indeed, in sheer volume alone, the Tank — in all its various models — is Cartier's largest watch collection.

The Tank Louis was introduced in 1922, followed closely by the Asian-influenced Tank Chinoise. The Chinoise, released amidst a mania for jewelry inspired by the Orient, has a square rather than rectangular case and lugs that resemble the portico of a Chinese pagoda.

From its debut, the Tank would see many variations, each in keeping with Louis Cartier's taste for clean lines and perfect symmetry. Each variant — from the original Tank to the Tank Louis to the Cintrée with its flirtatious, curvaceous lines — has its passionate devotees. Rudolph Valentino, that sensual star of the silver screen, insisted on wearing his (apocryphal) Tank onscreen in The Son of the Sheik, and Clark Gable, Andy Warhol, and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis were among those who sported a one throughout the years.

Other model lines, including the Santos (based upon the original model crafted for Alberto Santos-Dumont) and the Pasha, have developed devoted followers. Indeed, the maison is unique as one of the few jewelry brands to elicit as much passion from collectors as dedicated watch companies.

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a two-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.