New Roadster- Cartier

The Roadster 18-carat white-gold watch with walnut burl detail, $41,800 .

Look out for speed traps if you strap on the latest watch from Cartier — the timepiece may induce a heavy foot behind the wheel. The newest Roadster edition — featuring accents of walnut burl — channels the raw horsepower of a finely tuned collector's car. "It comes to complete the aesthetic of the Roadster," says Frédéric de Narp, president and chief executive of Cartier North America, noting that the watch's crown has always been inspired by radiators and the curvature of its glass modeled on headlights. "You had the radiator, the dials, and the lights — and now you have the dashboard." Cartier introduced the Roadster in stainless steel in 2001, with interchangeable metal and alligator straps (both included in the sticker price). The latest model comes in limited editions of 18-carat rose gold (250 pieces, $39,100) or white gold (150 pieces, $41,800) and adds a walnut face and center bracelet links. Each wooden piece is made by hand and receives 10 coats of lacquer, meaning the lumber doesn't compromise scratch or water resistance (still good to 330 feet).