No, it’s not a Tank. And yes, it deserves your attention!

While Parisian jeweler to the stars Cartier may be best known in horological circles for its famed Tank watch, the French firm produced — and continues to produce — numerous other models that deserve equal billing for their unique and sumptuous designs. 

The Roadster is one such design. Launched in 2001, the collection, with its tonneau-shaped cases, distinctive screws, and gentle curves, takes as its inspiration classic cars from the 1950s. Though since discontinued, it constitutes one of the more utilitarian lines within the greater Cartier universe, with models including chronographs, GMTs, and even an entry-level version on offer. 

This particular Roadster, a Chronograph model from circa the 2000s, is housed in a 40mm stainless steel case with a magnified sapphire crystal, a cabochon crown, and a polished, stepped bezel. It features a luminous silver sunburst dial with printed black Roman indices with a matching luminous sword handset, a triple-register chronograph layout, and a date window at 3:00. Powered by the automatic Cal. 8510 chronograph movement, it comes paired to a stainless steel multi-link bracelet.

The Roadster is sneakily emblematic of the best of early 2000s watch design language, and we're into it.