A fake Pasha two tone is a replica of the Cartier Pasha de Cartier that pairs a stainless steel case with gold on the bezel, crown cap, and bracelet center links. Better builds copy the 35mm, 38mm, and 41mm case shapes, use sapphire crystal, and run an automatic movement such as the Miyota 9015 or a clone ETA 2824. Weight, plating thickness, and dial printing are what separate a convincing fake pasha two tone from a cheap one that shows its price on the wrist.
What to look at on a fake Pasha two tone
The Pasha design dates to 1985, when Cartier released a Gérald Genta design based on a 1930s watch made for the Pasha of Marrakesh. The two tone version keeps the round case, the Vendôme lugs, the screw-down crown cap with its small chain, and four Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9. Five details carry most of the visual weight.
- Case profile. Thin flanks that step down to the caseback without a fat lip.
- Bezel finish. Polished gold with crisp edges, no waviness where the plating pooled.
- Crown cap and chain. The cap must unscrew, and the chain should hang with slack.
- Dial print. Numeral edges stay sharp under a loupe, with no ink bleeding into the lacquer.
- Date window. Lines up with the 4:30 marker, square, and cut clean at the edges.
Why gold plating thickness matters most
Most fake Pasha two tone watches use electroplated gold measured in microns. Anything under 1 micron wears through at the bezel edge and the clasp within a few months of daily wear. Builds at 3 to 5 microns hold their color for years when you keep them clean and away from chlorine.
Gold-filled and gold-wrapped bracelets sit at the top of the market. They bond a thicker layer of gold to the steel, so the center links keep their tone even after the case picks up scratches. Ask the seller for the plating spec before you pay, because photos hide thin plating.
Which movement should be inside?
Automatic is the baseline for anything past the entry tier. Three movements show up in most builds.
- Miyota 9015. 28,800 vibrations per hour, 42 hour power reserve, smooth sweep, thin enough for a slim case.
- Seiko NH35. 21,600 vibrations per hour, about 41 hours of reserve, cheap to replace.
- Clone ETA 2824. 28,800 vibrations per hour, 38 hour reserve, found in higher priced fakes, with parts that are easy to source.
Quartz versions exist and cost less. They keep time, but the ticking seconds hand is the fastest way to spot a fake at arm's length.
Which size fits your wrist?
- 35mm. Classic midsize, the right pick for wrists under 7 inches.
- 38mm. The middle ground most buyers choose today.
- 41mm. More presence, still wearable on a 7 inch wrist or larger.
- 42mm chronograph. Thicker case that needs a larger wrist to sit flat.
Two tone adds visual weight, so a 41mm steel and gold Pasha reads bigger than the same watch in steel alone. When you sit between two sizes, take the smaller one.
What low-grade fakes get wrong
- Case that is too thick, with a caseback that sits proud of the wrist.
- Gold tone with an orange or green cast next to real yellow gold.
- Crown cap glued shut, so the chain is decoration only.
- End links that leave gaps against the lugs and rattle when you shake the watch.
- Date font that is too bold and sits off center in the window.
Price tiers for a fake Pasha two tone
Asking prices move with the movement, the plating, and the bracelet. Rough bands you will see from wholesalers:
- Entry, under $100. Quartz or a low grade automatic, plating under 1 micron, stamped clasp.
- Mid, $150 to $300. Miyota or NH35, 3 micron plating, sapphire crystal, solid end links.
- Top, $400 and up. Clone ETA, gold-wrapped bracelet, engraved clasp, tighter tolerances on the case and dial.
Prices shift with the batch and the seller. Compare two or three listings at the same tier before you commit, since the movement inside is not always the one in the description.
Care for a two tone finish
- Rinse with fresh water after swimming or heavy sweating, then dry with a soft cloth.
- Keep perfume, sunscreen, and chlorine off the gold. They speed up plating wear.
- Store the watch on its own, so the bracelet does not rub against other metal.
- Check the clasp edges each season. That is where plating goes first.
FAQ
Is the gold on a fake Pasha two tone real gold?
It is a gold layer over steel, either plated or gold-filled. Solid gold would push the price into five figures, so no replica at wholesale prices uses it.
Does the crown chain work on replicas?
On mid and top tier builds the cap unscrews and the chain swings free, just like the original. On cheap builds the cap is fixed and the chain does not move.
How long does the plating last?
With 3 to 5 microns and basic care, expect years before the first thin spot. Under 1 micron, the bezel edge and clasp can show steel within a few months.
What should I check first when buying?
Ask for the movement name, the plating spec, and a close photo of the dial and crown cap. If a seller cannot answer those three, move on.