How To Tell if a Cartier Watch Is Real

The world of counterfeit watches is a murky one. How do you avoid falling victim to them? Read this guide on how to tell if a Cartier watch is real.

Some collectors would rather flex a cheap Casio than wear a homage watch. And in some ways, I’m totally with them. It’s a principal thing. A brand that stands by its own identity and designs without piggybacking off someone else’s success is a brand worth investing in. But homage brands aren’t what’s wrong with the world. Counterfeit watches are.   

Counterfeit watches are a totally different kettle of fish. They go far beyond homage watches or even flipping watches. They’re illegal replicas. I’m not talking about a brand trying to mimic the look of a famous watch. I’m talking about watches that pretend to be what they’re not – watches that pretend they’re the real deal. The practice of knowingly buying a replica watch costs genuine manufacturers billions of dollars every year. But an even darker side to the story is that some don’t even know they’re buying one.   

Some fake watches are more popular than others. It goes without saying that the most expensive brands fall victim to illegal replication the most. Breitling, Audemars Piguet, Omega, Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Cartier are among some of the most common. This article will examine how to tell if a Cartier watch is real. Could you spot one if it were staring you in the face? By the time you get to the end of this article, you’ll learn how to know if a Cartier watch is real.  

The Problem With Fake Watches  

The problem with counterfeit watches is that they’re on the rise. Thousands circulate the market each year, sometimes unbeknownst to the wearer. For example, someone intentionally looking for a counterfeit watch may expect to pay a fraction of the price of a genuine one. (It’s pretty common to see fake watches selling for next to nothing compared to the real deal.) On the flip side, some companies will sell counterfeit watches at the same price as authentic ones. And this is how consumers fall victim to fraud.   

If you’re thinking about going down the route of imitation watches, think again. Companies make fake watches using substandard materials. In other words, they’re a complete waste of money. Cheap materials and craftsmanship can also pose serious safety risks for the wearer. How does the idea of malfunctioning, leaking batteries, and defective parts sound?   

There are legal risks associated with buying them, too. You may think that you’re the innocent party just because you aren’t making and selling these watches. But financially supporting this practice makes you part of the problem, too. Buying a counterfeit watch, whether a Cartier or not, is illegal in some countries. Then there’s the fact that most will come with poor after-sales service and an invalid warranty with the manufacturer. Basically, no one’s covering you when you encounter problems with your watch soon after purchasing it!  

You can liken buying a fake watch to picking a bad date. It may appear to be the epitome of sophisticated elegance on first impressions. But the morning after, do you still like what you see? Like a fake first date, counterfeit watches don’t stand the test of time. They’re a decision you’ll come to regret later down the line. Don’t. Do. It. 

If you’re planning on buying a Cartier watch and are worried about making a rookie mistake, keep reading.  

How To Spot a Fake Cartier Watch

There are several visible factors you can look for in a Cartier watch to check its authenticity. But the bottom line? You should avoid buying the watch if you can’t trust the seller. 

Always try to acquire your timepiece from a reputable dealer or independent seller. Reputable dealers stock and sell reputable watches. They should have a solid online presence and a legitimate social media account. A trusted stockist or pre-owned store should be able to provide a certificate of authenticity with each timepiece. If pre-owned, the dealer may even provide a complete service. Above all, they should carry out a detailed inspection of the watch before selling it to you. 

Even if the seller seems kosher, you can take additional precautions to safeguard yourself. We’ll look at those in more detail now.  

Fake Cartier Watches vs Real Ones – Some TellTale Signs 

Cartier is a massive player in the luxury watch and jewelry industry. Although synonymous with Paris, the company manufactures its timepieces in the chocolate box town of La Chaux de Fonds. It’s a hub of innovative horological delights and home to the likes of Breitling and TAG Heuer. 

Over the years, the brand has produced timepieces for many famous faces and royalty. It’s a prestigious brand with a remarkable history that appeals to collectors far and wide. Some of the brand’s iconic watches can be expensive. Thus, there is a market for some ultra-cool Cartier Tank alternatives. But most are more affordable than your regular Omega or Rolex. Being one of the most famous watch manufacturers in the world, however, comes with its drawbacks. It’s one of the most obvious targets for counterfeiters. Because of this, it’s important to know how to distinguish a fake one from a real one. Breaking down some key elements will help you identify the difference between a real Cartier watch vs fake ones.   

The Weight of the Watch   

Most luxury watch case materials should feel solid unless we’re talking about examples like composite carbon or titanium. Good materials weigh more than cheap ones and feel substantial on the wrist. Even a piece of sapphire glass alone can add to a timepiece’s heft and quality feel.  

A genuine Cartier watch should feel naturally heavy to the touch. Those that look like a genuine Cartier but feel light and flimsy on the wrist are a warning sign. Illegal companies trying to replicate luxury timepieces will cut corners to keep manufacturing costs down. Some will compromise on case materials, replacing them with lightweight alloys or plated metals.  

Cartier watches made from gold, platinum and stainless steel will have significant weight to them. The weight of the case should also feel proportional to its size. Of course, the more you handle Cartier watches, the more intuitive these detective skills become. If you’re not so well-acquainted with them, it may be worth asking a knowledgeable friend to accompany you when you look at one.  

The Case and Screws

Cartier does everything with precision, from the beautiful milling of a case to the meticulous crafting of its distinctive dial hands. The same goes for the careful positioning of each perfectly aligned screw. These practices are a testament to the company’s devotion to authentic craftsmanship. If you handle Cartier watches regularly, the case and screws are two elements that you’ll get to know quite well.  

Specialists place the screws flush with the case and with even spacing between them. The brand uses flat head screws, which have become a very distinguishable feature of a Cartier watch. Spot an x-shaped screw, and you know it’s a red herring. Of course, counterfeiters miss these finer details. Even if they try to adhere to such high standards, they seldom match them. You can often detect a fake Cartier watch just by looking at the screws on the case. They may even look inconsistent, rough around the edges, or fail to serve a functional purpose.   

Case Back Engraving

One of the easiest ways to spot a fake Cartier watch vs a real one is to check the back of the case. Cartier engraves essential information on the back of its cases. This includes an 8-character serial number and a 5-character model number. You should also see the brand logo, hallmarks, and engravings like “Swiss Made” and “Water Resistant.” When you look closely at these, each number or letter should have even spacing between them. Cartier specialists execute these details to high standards, giving them a crisp, well-defined finish. The characters will be deeply cleaned and engraved with a smooth, uniform finish. Remember, it’s not what engravings you see on the case back but how they appear.  

The Dial   

The watch’s dial is often a window to the manufacturer’s soul. The unique hands on a dial, the hour markers, or a special surface finish make a brand identifiable. Cartier experts put considerable emphasis on the execution of their dials, giving them an exceptionally high level of finishing. Even the spacing between letters or inconsistent printing of the dial serifs can be a big giveaway. Paying attention to these minor details can help you distinguish a genuine Cartier watch from a fake one.  

Cartier is world famous for its iconic Roman numeral hours markers and blue-steeled hands. The brand’s dials, even its skeleton versions, are perfectly aligned, sharp, and legible. If a Cartier model has signs of blurring or smudging, these printing inconsistencies should be red flags. The Roman numerals may not appear proportionately to the dial, and the dial font may not match Cartier’s typeface. Generally, the signs are all there when looking at the dial of a counterfeit Cartier watch, though not all may be as obvious at a glance.  

The “Blue” Elements

Cartier is famous for its signature blue elements, namely the blue cabochon on the crown at 3 o’clock. The precious sapphire gemstone is genuine, durable, and vibrant. It’s also one of the most obvious giveaways if not done right. The cabochon on a Cartier is always beautifully cut and consistent in clarity and color. Fake gemstones may not be set into the crown correctly but glued instead. A counterfeit brand may misalign them, and they’ll definitely lack the same panache.  

Other blue signature details include Cartier’s blue hands. The Tank, Panthere, Ballon Bleu, Santos, and Ronde models all boast the blued-steel hands, which have become a coveted statement feature in a Cartier.  

Serial Number  

Always check the serial number of a Cartier watch before you buy it. It tracks the watch’s manufacturing origins, production, and distribution. Cartier doesn’t just etch these details into the caseback but meticulously engraves them. The serial reference should comprise six numbers and two letters. Before investing in a watch, it could be worth showing these details to a Cartier service department to confirm they’re legit. Remember, you don’t have to buy a watch there and then. If you’re unsure about the timepiece, go home and do a little more research before you take the plunge. Any watch with an ungraved caseback or missing serial numbers is fake. 

Of course, the best counterfeits may use real serial numbers. However, conducting a Cartier watch serial number check is still a good idea. You can search online or, of course, take your timepiece to an authorized dealer.

Scratch-Proof Glass 

Remember to assess the glass when you check a case for signs of wear and tear. Cartier uses sapphire crystal – a material that comes second only to a diamond on the hardness scale. It’s incredibly scratch-resistant and reflects light very well, ridding the dial of any undesirable glare. It shouldn’t feature any scratches, chips, or cracks. Fake Cartier watches may feature mineral glass or plastic as a substitute. These materials can scratch, crack, and become brittle over time. One way to check for sapphire crystal glass is to run your fingernails over the watch’s surface. Sapphire should feel cold to the touch, while other materials may feel rougher and sound plastic-like when you tap on them.  

Luminosity  

One element Cartier always upholds is legibility. The brand coats its dial appliques with Super-LumiNova to assist with timekeeping during the night. Brands favor this luminous material for its long-lasting glow. Cheaper watches and those manufactured illegally may use more cost-effective solutions that fail to produce the same effect. The longevity of Super-LumiNova varies from watch to watch. But if the luminous hands of your Cartier watch don’t wow you with their impressive glow, it may not pass your Cartier authenticity check. 

The Secret Signature

If you look closely at a Cartier dal, you’ll sport a secret signature. The brand incorporates it into many of its designs. Look between the 7 and 10 o’clock hour markers, and you’ll spot it – the Cartier name in full. Other examples include the “Swiss Made” lettering spelled out in full at 6 o’clock and the “Paris” lettering. Since details like the secret signature are small and easy to miss, many fake watch brands leave them out. And if a counterfeit brand does include them, they rarely execute them to the same standard.  

How To Tell if a Vintage Cartier Watch Is Real 

It becomes particularly difficult to tell if a vintage Cartier watch is real, especially if you’re buying from an auction house. You must also be extra vigilant when looking at pre-owned Cartier watches online. Ask for more photographs if you need them. A genuine seller will always have time to answer important questions to rest your mind. Generally speaking, you should look for all the same telltale signs that you would if the watch was new. These include the quality of the bracelet, the year of manufacture, the serial number engravings, the case, and the glass material. You can also expect to see the “Cartier” name in block lettering instead of cursive script.  

Examples of Fake Cartier Watches   

Examples of fake Cartier watches are everywhere you look, including online. They might be flimsy-looking, lightweight or cheap. They may feature plastic or mineral glass fronts and be void of any inscriptions and engravings on the back. The blue hue of the hands may seem off, or the Roman numerals may look out of proportion. Furthermore, the bracelet may be rattly, and the secret hallmarks may not be present. Some of the most common counterfeit watches include the Cartier Tank, the Cartier Ballon Bleu, and the Cartier Santos. It makes sense when you think that these three designs, in particular, are the three most coveted in the brand’s history.  

How To Buy Real Cartier Watches for the Best Prices

If you need tips on how to buy real Cartier watches for the best prices, I have you covered. My advice is to be mindful of how much Cartier watches cost and then decide on how much you want to spend. Remember, if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t let a company fool you into thinking you’re saving yourself money by buying a cheap Cartier. The crux of the matter is that cheap Cartier watches don’t actually exist. Be wary of anything massively discounted since this often lures a buyer in on false pretenses. 

Be ready to part with your money rather than trying to spy a cheap deal. Cartier watches are worth what they are worth for good reason. Investing properly is still much more affordable than buying a fake one, followed by a genuine one once you realize your mistake. Oh, and remember to compare the prices of a Cartier watch online before you start shopping. Factors like age, condition, and paperwork will determine the cost of a watch, but unrealistic prices should concern you.  

Conclusion   

Some of the most exquisite luxury timepieces are only available to a lucky few. They’re expensive, but they make great investments. However, the majority of Cartier watches have a modest price tag. So, if you’re serious about owning a Santos or Tank watch, save up for it. When it comes to Cartier, there’s no such thing as a bargain. You really do get what you pay for. Hopefully, this guide on how to tell if a Cartier watch is real should keep you out of trouble.  

At the end of the day, fake watches are for fake people. At least that’s the message behind the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry’s program. The anti-counterfeiting campaign creates awareness surrounding replica products and the damage they cause to the industry.   

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