I’ve been starting to try and branch out towards watches witha non-round shape. I’ve owned a few rectangular watches, such as a Longines Dolce Vita and some others here and there, but I really wanted to try a Tonneau shaped watch, aside from the knock-offs that people give you as gifts when they visit China. So I started first with a Franck Muller Casablanca, which I enjoyed, but it was a bit too clean and basic looking for me I think, considering that I was used to the complicated busy dials of Breitling.
Then I saw the Roadster again… Its a watch that I always admired and really liked the design of, and with my tastes maturing and the need to have something a bit more understated for business, the Roadster seemed perfect. Still a recognizable icon in the watch industry, with a bit more individuality than a Rolex. So I snapped one up.
The Roadster is an extremely well made watch, with a three-peice case. Tonneau shaped but a bit shorter than a Franck Muller from lug to lug. The Large Mens size model I bought is 38mm x 43mm, not including the crown. It wears very close to a typical 40mm Rolex. The models I picked up as the oldeer style dial, but still looks fantastic in my opinion. All the pictures were taken with my new Sony A200 camera with the Kit lens.
In the above pic you can see the blued steel hands and Luminous dots on the inner dial. The sapphire date magnifier is tastefully integrated into the crown area. The crown is not screwdown, so when you wind it you can just turn it.
The bracelet is a beautiful peice of work, with screwed in pins, in a very unique style. There are two screws, one on each side, and when you remove them, you push a pin out of the middle. The bracelet has that smooth, tight feel to it that reminds me of my Breitling Bracelets. The watch is all polished, but the bracelet is brushed in the middle links.
Here is a shot of the back, showing a bit more of the bracelet, and notice how the design of the crown even bulges on the back of the watch. That is a very nice attention to detail.
The obligatory wrist shot… showing what it looks like on my 6 3/4″ wrist. The bracelet sizes a bit loose on me. Unfortunately with those double butterfly clasps there is rarely a micro adjustment available, and many don’t have half-links either.
And here’s a rare movement shot of the Cartier Roadster. Very nicely finshed Cartier Caliber 3110, base ebauche ETA 2892-2, 21 Jewel movement. The rotor is decorated with the Roadster logo, which is a nice touch, rather than just a generic Cartier signed rotor, making this specific to only this model of watch.
As you can see there is plenty of circular graining on the bridges as well. Overall, a beautiful watch inside and out. I will be enjoying mine!
Here are the quick specs:
Movement: Automatic Calibre 3110 Movement (Base ETA 2892-2)
Case: Stainless Steel
Crystal: Sapphire Crystal w/Date Magnifier
Diameter: 43mm x 38mm
