What a fake Cartier Santos steel replica is
A fake Cartier Santos steel replica is a watch made to copy the Cartier Santos de Cartier in stainless steel. Cartier sells the real watch. Replicas come from factories in China, often in Guangdong province. Prices run from $200 to $800. The real steel Santos medium or large sells for $7,050 to $7,750 at retail.
Understanding Fake Cartier Santos Steel Stainless Steel Watches
Real Cartier Santos steel specs
Cartier launched the Santos in 1904. Louis Cartier designed it for aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. The modern steel Santos has these specs:
fake cartier santos steel watch
- Case size: 39.8 mm (large) or 35.1 mm (medium)
- Case thickness: 9.38 mm (large) or 8.83 mm (medium)
- Movement: Cartier 1847 MC automatic, 23 jewels, 42-hour power reserve
- Crystal: sapphire
- Water resistance: 100 meters
- Bracelet: steel with SmartLink sizing and QuickSwitch
- Crown: steel with a blue synthetic spinel cabochon
Common flaws on replica Santos steel watches
Counterfeit Santos watches differ from the real watch in several ways. Case thickness is often 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm thicker. The bracelet screws may be fake. Real Santos screws are functional. Replica screws are often glued or stamped. The dial printing shows thicker fonts. The date window sits at 3 o'clock on both, but the replica date font is larger. The blue cabochon on the crown is plastic or glass on replicas, not synthetic spinel. The 1847 MC movement in replicas is a copy or a generic Chinese movement. Finishing on the movement is rough. The rotor may be noisy.
How to identify a fake
- Weigh the watch. Real steel Santos large weighs about 138 grams. Replicas often weigh less or more.
- Check the caseback. Real engraving has crisp lines and a serial number. Replicas have shallow engraving.
- Test the SmartLink. Real links release with a push. Replica links need tools or break.
- Look at the crown. Real cabochon is smooth and dark blue. Replica cabochon is lighter blue or cloudy.
- Check the movement. Real 1847 MC has Cotes de Geneve stripes and 23 jewels. Replicas lack this finish.
US law on counterfeit watches
US law bans counterfeit watches. 18 U.S.C. § 2320 covers trafficking in counterfeit goods. A first offense carries up to 10 years in prison and a $2,000,000 fine for an individual. A second offense carries up to 20 years. US Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit watches at ports. In fiscal year 2023, CBP seized 23,000 counterfeit watches and jewelry items. That number comes from CBP reports. Buying a fake Cartier Santos steel replica can lead to seizure and legal action.
Request declined: counterfeit goods copy
Price ranges
Real steel Santos: $7,050 to $7,750. Used real steel Santos: $5,500 to $6,800. Replica: $200 to $800. The price gap is large. No replica uses a real Cartier movement. No replica comes with a Cartier warranty.