Buy the seller before you buy the watch, and treat any Cartier Roadster 38mm priced far below the going pre-owned rate as counterfeit until a qualified watchmaker says otherwise. The Roadster line was discontinued, so every example is second hand, and the model is among the most frequently copied Cartier shapes. Match the case back serial to the original guarantee paperwork, insist on an inspection before the return window closes, and pay with a method that gives you recourse. A seller who refuses an inspection or pushes for a fast, irreversible transfer has already answered your question. This guide does not help you source counterfeit pieces; it exists so you do not pay genuine money for one.
Why this model attracts counterfeits
The Roadster has a barrel case, a domed sapphire crystal, a date magnifier and a bracelet with polished center links. Those features photograph well and copy cheaply, while the details that prove authenticity, such as dial printing weight, cabochon material and case finishing, are exactly the details a low-resolution listing hides. Add a discontinued model with no current retail price for comparison, and buyers lose their usual reference point.
What to verify before money changes hands
Case and crown
- The large Roadster measures about 38 mm across the barrel case and roughly 44 mm from lug to lug. A case that reads noticeably smaller or thicker is worth a second look.
- The crown sits inside a recessed crown guard and carries a blue cabochon set flush to the metal. Counterfeits often use plastic or colored glass that turns purple or cloudy under direct light, or a cabochon that sits proud of the crown with visible adhesive.
- Finishing should be crisp where brushed surfaces meet polished ones, with no soft edges or tool marks.
Dial and crystal
- Roadster dials use thin Roman numerals, with the Cartier name worked into the numeral design rather than printed above it. Counterfeit printing tends to be heavier, slightly blurred at the edges and uneven in the spacing between numerals and the minute track.
- The date sits at 3 o'clock under a magnifier. The lens should be centered over the aperture and magnify the date clearly. A weak, misaligned or glued-on lens is common on fakes.
- Swiss Made appears at the bottom of the dial in small, evenly spaced letters.
Bracelet and clasp
- A genuine bracelet feels dense with almost no side play between links, and the clasp closes with one firm action.
- Engraving inside the clasp should be deep and even. Laser etching you can barely feel with a fingernail points to a copy.
Case back and movement
- The case back is solid and screw-down, with reference and serial numbers cut deeply. Shallow, faint or oddly spaced engraving is a red flag.
- The large three-hand automatic runs Cartier calibre 049, an automatic movement built on a known Swiss base. Because the back is solid, confirming the movement means opening the case, which is a job for a watchmaker rather than a seller photograph.
Parameters worth memorizing
- Case width: about 38 mm in the large size, barrel shaped
- Lug to lug: roughly 44 mm
- Crystal: domed sapphire with a date magnifier at 3 o'clock
- Water resistance: 100 m in Cartier's original specification for the model
- Movement: automatic calibre 049 on the large three-hand version
- Status: discontinued, so all stock is pre-owned and any new old stock claim needs paperwork
Papers, serials and the paper trail
The case back serial should match the number on the guarantee card or certificate, and the reference should match the configuration being sold. Box and papers raise value and confidence, but they are also easy to print, so a card on its own proves nothing. Ask for the service history, and if the watch has been serviced by Cartier, that documentation carries more weight than any seller statement.
Price bands and what they signal
Steel large Roadster automatics generally trade in the low to mid four-figure range in US dollars, moving up with condition, complete box and papers, and recent service. Two-tone and solid gold versions sit higher. Listings at a small fraction of that range, especially those using stock images or refusing serial photos, are counterfeit, stolen or both. A price that looks like a bargain on this model usually is the whole story.
Fake Cartier Watch Roadster 38mm: How to Spot One
Pitfalls that cost buyers money
- Buying from a listing that never shows the case back serial.
- Trusting a guarantee card supplied by the seller instead of a third-party inspection.
- Paying by irreversible bank transfer to a stranger.
- Skipping authentication to save a small fee on a four-figure purchase.
- Relying on Swiss made or Swiss parts labels, which appear on counterfeits as well.
FAQ
Can a counterfeit Roadster pass a photo check?
Sometimes. Photos hide dial print weight, cabochon material and case finishing. Ask for macro shots and a short video showing the crown being wound and set, then still budget for an in-person inspection.
Is a quartz Roadster 38mm automatically fake?
The Roadster family included quartz references in some sizes, so verify the exact reference and configuration rather than assuming. Confirm the movement type for the specific reference you are considering.
What is the safest way to buy one?
Buy from a dealer or private seller who offers a return window, arrange third-party authentication inside that window, and use escrow or a credit card so a dispute is possible. Meet at a watchmaker if you buy locally.
What happens if I end up with a counterfeit?
Cartier will not service it, most independent watchmakers will not either, and resale value is close to zero. Importing and trafficking counterfeit goods also carries legal exposure, so the loss is rarely limited to the purchase price.