Watches and Wonders 2026: Cartier Demonstrates its Mastery of Shapes

Square or curved, rectangular or oval ― since the early 20th century, Cartier has reigned as the watchmaker of shapes, crafting signature designs that speak a timeless aesthetic language.

This year, the Maison further enriches its dynamic repertoire, revealing the depth of its watchmaking expertise through an exceptional mastery of savoir-faire. From the most understated to the most expressive creations, each Cartier shape demands a bespoke approach, crafted to honour its singular design. Among the highlights is the return of the Roadster watch. Reimagined through the collective expertise of more than a hundred specialised disciplines, this reinterpretation celebrates its streamlined silhouette with renewed precision and sophistication.

Santos-Dumont

The new Santos-Dumont remains true to the elegance and pioneering spirit of the original 1904 model created to allow aviators to read time mid-flight. Its defining codes endure: Roman numerals, visible screws, and a circular-grained crown set with a blue cabochon. Widely regarded as one of the first modern wristwatches, it is now reinterpreted with subtle vintage nuances, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary innovation at the Cartier Manufacture.

At the heart of the new LM-size Santos-Dumont lies a remarkable dial in gilded obsidian. This feat of gem-cutting transforms volcanic stone from Mexico into a luminous surface, its iridescence created by microscopic air bubbles within. Just 0.3 mm thick, the material is as delicate as glass, presenting a formidable challenge that Cartier’s artisans overcome through meticulous cutting and polishing to reveal its depth and radiance.

The watch is paired with a yellow gold bracelet inspired by the Maison’s pioneering made-to-measure metal designs of the 1920s. Composed of 394 finely engineered links across 15 rows, each just 1.15 mm thick, the bracelet drapes across the skin with a fluid, silk-like touch. Every component is machined, finished, and assembled at the Manufacture, before being meticulously attached to the case and clasp.

Powered by the hand-wound 430 MC manufacture movement, this Santos-Dumont is joined by two additional LM models featuring silvered satin-finish dials with a sunray effect, available in yellow gold and platinum. The collection is further expanded with new LM versions in yellow gold and in gold-and-steel combinations.

Santos de Cartier Chronograph

The spirit of aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont continues to soar through the latest Santos chronograph, an expression of elegance in motion and innovation without limits. Echoing the daring vision of its namesake, this timepiece embodies those who push boundaries with effortless refinement.

Faithful to the purity of the Santos design, the LM-size chronograph (47 x 40 mm) amplifies its mechanical character. Its dial features alternating satin and sunray finishes, complemented by black sword-shaped hands coated with Super-LumiNova®, emitting a phosphorescent green glow. Three counters (seconds at 6 o’clock, minutes at 3 o’clock, and hours at 9 o’clock) are framed by rings in yellow gold or rhodium, depending on the model, enhancing contrast and legibility.

The exceptional level of finishing is achieved through a meticulous process involving more than 70 steps, underscoring Cartier’s enduring commitment to precision and excellence.

Roadster

First introduced in 2002, the Roadster makes a compelling return to the watchmaking stage. This new iteration focuses on refined proportions, sharper lines, and enhanced ergonomics, drawing subtle inspiration from automotive design while preserving its unmistakable streamlined form.

Its strength lies in the precision of its design. A seamless balance between the bezel and the case is achieved through a perfectly integrated crown, while the interplay of crystal and metal enhances the overall silhouette. The crown, magnifier, and dial are unified into a single visual rhythm, punctuated by the calendar aperture and the signature metal cabochon.

A true expression of Cartier’s watchmaking expertise, the Roadster is powered by two self-winding manufacture movements: the 1847 MC for large models and the 1899 MC for medium models.

Baignoire

This year, Cartier reimagines the Baignoire with the introduction of the Clou de Paris motif, an enduring design code from the Maison’s repertoire since the 1920s. Rendered in monochrome gold, the motif introduces a sense of rhythm and structure, lending the watch a distinctly architectural presence while seamlessly linking the bracelet to the dial.

The gold is expertly moulded to maintain perfect uniformity, while the proportions of the case have been subtly reworked for greater harmony. Yellow gold push-buttons are designed to blend fluidly into the curve of the bracelet, reinforcing its sculptural elegance.

Entirely hand-polished, the piece reveals a radiant finish without compromising the integrity of its relief. The watch is further elevated by intricate gem-setting, featuring 100 brilliant-cut, snow-set diamonds on the dial, complemented by inverted pavilion diamonds set into the case, an exquisite demonstration of Cartier’s craftsmanship.

Myst de Cartier

Blurring the lines between jewellery and horology, the Myst de Cartier watch celebrates the Maison’s dual mastery. Defined by alternating curves, a domed crystal, and a geometric pavé dial, the composition is framed by onyx and punctuated by a triangular hour marker.

Its bold symmetry is heightened by black lacquer dots, each meticulously applied by hand at the Maison des Métiers d’Art in Switzerland. The bracelet’s bead setting incorporates stones of varying sizes to create depth, movement, and volume, requiring 112 hours of meticulous gem-setting work.

Innovative in both form and function, the watch is constructed without a clasp. Its elastic structure allows it to glide effortlessly onto the wrist, the result of extensive research and development.

Cartier Privé Crash Skeleton

For its 10th edition, Cartier Privé revisits one of its most iconic designs: the Crash. Originally created in 1967, its radical asymmetry is reinterpreted here in a striking skeletonised form.

At its core is the hand-wound Manufacture 1967 MC movement, engineered to follow the contours of the case while housing 142 components. The architecture becomes aesthetic: bridges are shaped into Roman numerals and hand-hammered using a traditional decorative technique, each requiring nearly two hours of precise craftsmanship. The distortion of the case appears intensified, as though the crown itself has pulled the movement downward, a patented construction that underscores Cartier’s creative audacity. Limited to 150 numbered pieces, the Crash Skeleton stands as both a technical and artistic feat.

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