Short answer

A replica Roadster 38mm is a copy of the Cartier Roadster, a tonneau case watch Cartier launched in 2002. The 38mm figure is the case width of the large version. Copies sell in three bands: quartz at USD 40 to 90, Asian automatic at USD 150 to 300, and watches sold as Swiss ETA at USD 400 to 700. Two details decide how close a copy looks on the wrist: the case profile and the date magnifier in the crystal.

Case and dial checks

  • Crystal: the Roadster has the date magnifier ground into the sapphire. It is one piece of glass. A glued lens shows a seam at the edge and sits above the crystal surface.
  • Dimensions: ask for width, lug to lug, and thickness in mm. Listings give width only. A tonneau case with long lugs wears larger than a round case of the same width.
  • Crown: fluted crown with a blue cabochon. Check stone color, the seat, and stem length.
  • Date: window at 3 o'clock under the magnifier. Check font, centering, and the change at midnight.
  • Caseback: reference and serial numbers are model specific. Engraving depth and letter spacing differ between factories.

Movement

The automatic Cartier Roadster used caliber 049, based on the ETA 2892-A2. That movement has 21 jewels, runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, and holds about 42 hours of power reserve. Replica watches use one of four movements:

  • Quartz. No rotor. The second hand ticks.
  • Asian copy of the ETA 2824-2. 25 jewels. About 38 hours of reserve.
  • Asian copy of the ETA 2892-A2. 21 jewels. Thinner rotor assembly.
  • Watches sold as Swiss ETA. Ask for a clear photo of the rotor and its engraving. Claims of this type cannot be checked from outside the case.

Price bands and what changes

  1. USD 40 to 90: quartz, plated brass or 316L steel, mineral glass, stamped caseback.
  2. USD 150 to 300: automatic, 316L steel, sapphire crystal, cleaner dial print.
  3. USD 400 and up: claimed Swiss movement, tighter bracelet tolerance, closer crown profile.

Water resistance is the item to treat with care. Factories do not pressure test each case. A rating of 30m or 50m on a listing is a claim, not a test result. Keep the watch out of water.

Questions for a seller

  1. What is the lug-to-lug measurement and thickness in mm?
  2. Is the magnifier part of the crystal or glued on?
  3. Which movement is inside, and can you send a photo of the rotor?
  4. What is the return window and the restocking fee?
  5. Does the bracelet use solid links or folded links?

Legal note

US Customs and Border Protection states that importing counterfeit goods is prohibited, and a trademark owner can seek seizure of a shipment. Selling such a watch inside the US carries the same trademark problem. This page records what the market offers, not advice to buy.