Cartier have revealed their release slate for 2026. The core of the launches centres around new Santos-Dumont and Roadster models but then there’s also the annual Privé collection – Cartier’s exceptional pieces based on heritage models. The headline this year is a new rendition of the Crash Squelette, bring back the iconoclast in skeletonised glory.
Cartier Privé – Les Opus
Cartier have launched the Privé Les Opus, a trio of platinum models celebrating some of the most recognisable watches from Cartier’s past. It includes the Crash Squelette, Tortue Chronographe Monopoussoir and Tank Normale.
One of the major challenges that faced the Crash when it was first developed in the mid-20th century was fitting the movement into the asymmetrical case. With this skeleton version, you can really see how the internal architecture has been shaped to match the unusual contours of the case. One of the most entertaining visual elements is that the bridges have been shaped into Roman numerals, serving double duty as both structural elements and the time display itself.
The case is made from platinum and measures 45.34 mm x 25.18 mm. The movement is the manual winding 1967 MC. As with all Privé models it’s extremely exclusive in a limited edition of 150 pieces.
Continuing the Opus platinum series, the Privé Tortue Chronographe Monopoussoir is a seriously cool monopusher chronograph with a bi-compax display and retro styling in ivory and red. It’s powered by the manual winding 1928 MC movement, which at 4.3mm thick is the thinnest chronograph movement Cartier produce. That allows the case to have a total thickness of 10.2mm.
Following a yellow gold edition in 2023, Cartier welcomes a platinum rendition of the Tank Normale as the final member of the Privé Opus line in 2026. It’s based on the design of the very first Tank, which is why it has the wider sides that convey the original inspiration of early tanks from World War One. It’s presented on a seven-link platinum bracelet.
Cartier Privé – La Collection
Alongside the platinum Les Opus range, there’s also a trio of Privé models in yellow gold, presented on grey alligator leather straps. This is a more quintessential expression Cartier’s signature shapes with two legendary Tanks and a Cloche de Cartier.
First up is a Tank Normale, similar to the 2023 edition I mentioned previously. It has the signature broader shape compared to the Tank Louis Cartier or Must. In yellow gold it’s actually more faithful to the original models from the early 20th century compared to the high prestige platinum edition in the Opus line.
Second is the Cloche de Cartier. It stands out for its distinctive shape that no other brand replicates with a flat side on the left and curved arch on the right where the cabochon crown is. The dial is then oriented so that 12 o’clock is in line with the crown. It means that you read the watch by having your arm pointed away from your body while allowing the watch to serve as a small desk clock by propping it up along the flat edge.
Lastly is the Tank Cintrée with its elongated proportions of 23 mm x 46.3 mm and a thickness of 6.95 mm. It’s powered by the manual winding 1917 MC, wound via the signature blue cabochon crown at 3 o’clock. As a note, one of the smaller launches of the Cartier 2026 novelties is a standalone red dial Cintrée in addition to this La Collection version.
Cartier Santos-Dumont
Continuing Cartier’s sub-theme of trios this year, they’ve released three new versions of the Santos-Dumont pilot’s watch Large Model (LM). They each measure 43.5mm x 31.4mm with a thickness of 7.3mm. There are two yellow gold versions and then a platinum edition for an extra layer of luxury.
For the dials, the platinum version and one of the yellow gold models are identical with silver, satin brushed displays with black Roman numerals and blued hands. The second yellow gold version features a gilded obsidian dial, leaning into the popularity of stone dial watches for the past 16 months or so. Inside each is the manual winding 430 MC.
One of the standout features is the 15-link bracelet, where each of the 394 links is just 1.15mm thick. It’s a little more regimented and squarer than a Milanese or beads of rice bracelet.
Cartier Santos De Cartier Chronograph
Cartier reintroduce the Santos De Cartier Chronograph following its 2020 edition. The new series features a cleaner tricompax display with small seconds, 30-minute timer and 12-hour timer. The Santos is regarded as the original pilot’s watch, so the inclusion of a chronograph makes a lot of sense, allowing pilots to track the various stages of flight and assist in visual navigation.
There are a few versions being released in the updated collection, though the core trio are full steel, bi-metal and full gold. The dials are almost identical across all three with the only difference being golden subdial rims on the gold models. There’s also a fourth steel model with a black bracelet.
Cartier Roadster
The Cartier Roadster is being revived with seven new expressions. Originally launched in 2002, it’s one of the few Cartier designs that doesn’t trace its heritage to the 20th century. Instead, it’s inspiration is heavily focused on cars and motoring – if the name didn’t already give that away.
It has a tonneau shape like the flowing bodywork of a classic car while visible screws and rivets give it an industrial quality that stop it from feeling too dressy. Another signature design element is the conical crown that blends into a wedge-shaped cyclops lens that’s designed to look like the headlight of a car.
There are four large models at 47mm x 38mm and three smaller 42.5mm x 34.9mm models. They’re split between yellow gold, bi-metal and steel models. The two gold and two bi-metal editions have white dials with gold hands and hour markers. There’re then two steel editions with white dials and blue accents and then the last steel model (the fourth large model) is inverted to blue with white accents.
It’s fun to see Cartier revisit a more modern design alongside their extensive range of heritage models. Cartier may be the masters of chic, but with the Roadster they show that extends to sports-chic too.
Cartier Haute Joillerie
For Cartier’s haute jewellery watches this year we have many offerings. First up is the Myst de Cartier. The Myst is technically part of the mystery line, which is Cartier’s optical illusion watches. It features a spiralling motif across the bracelet that bewilders the eye in a captivating pattern, interlaced with diamonds.
There’s then the Baignoire, available in both gem-set and plain gold editions. It has a Clou de Paris motif across its entire case and bracelet – the signature hobnail pattern consisting of tessellating pyramid shapes. The diamond edition replaces alternating pyramids with a gem, creating an ultra-luxurious checkerboard pattern.
Next is a fully diamond set Panthere, the smaller, more feminine cousin to the Santos. It has the familiar square shape with rounded bezel, leading into a five-link diamond-set bracelet. Keeping up the panther theme is a Tortue Metiers d’Art Panthere, which features a depiction of the animal across its dial and bezel (it’s technically a picture of a jaguar because a panther is just a black jaguar).
Also in the haute jewellery range is a Santos Micro-Rotor edition with diamonds across its skeletonised architecture.
More details at Cartier.
