10 Ways to Spot a Fake Cartier Watch 

Looking to buy a Cartier watch, but want to make sure it’s the real deal? Or perhaps, you’ve already purchased and you’re worried it might be a fake…

The renowned luxury French brand, Cartier, has been on the scene since the 1840s, initially creating watches and jewellery for royalty. Today, a Cartier watch remains a symbol of elegance and status, though it’s now accessible to luxury watch collectors around the world, not just the elite.

Unfortunately, the popularity of Cartier has made it a target for counterfeiters who attempt to replicate the craftsmanship and luxury feel using cheaper materials and inferior quality. That’s why being able to recognise the difference between a genuine Cartier and a counterfeit can save you hundreds, if not thousands, of pounds.

Keep reading to find out how to spot a fake below.

10 Sneaky Ways to Spot a Fake Cartier Watch

Let’s explore the most reliable ways to tell if your Cartier watch is real, or if it’s a counterfeit:

1. Case Back Engraving

If you’re wondering how to spot a fake Cartier watch, flipping it over to examine the case back is a good place to start.

Counterfeit Cartiers typically lack the absolute precision and premium quality that goes into producing the case back engravings. You may notice lettering that is uneven, blurry, inconsistent in spacing or even misspellings.

Familiarise yourself with the font that genuine Cartier watches should use, as well as the depth and consistency of the engraving, as these are common mistakes that fakes often fall short on. If the engraving appears shallow or unfinished, it’s likely a counterfeit.

A real Cartier watch:

• Features crisp, clean and precise engravings
• Includes the Cartier logo, a unique serial number, model information, hallmarks depending on the watch materials or certificates
• Has consistent line thickness and spacing, evenly sized lettering, precise alignment, without any blurring, unevenness or spelling errors

2. Feel

Feel is a major tell, too, and it’s something you can often identify instantly.

If the watch feels unusually unfinished compared to other high-end timepieces or known authentic Cartiers, it could be a counterfeit. Genuine Cartier watches are crafted from high-quality materials, including gold, platinum, and stainless steel. If the metal of the watch feels unfinished and rough in places, this could be a sign of a counterfeit.

Comparing it to holding a known genuine example of the same model is a good way to determine the authenticity of a suspected fake Cartier.

A real Cartier watch should:

• Feel significantly higher quality than any counterfeits
• Be crafted with premium materials such as platinum, gold or high-grade stainless steel
• Feel balanced and proportional to its overall size

3. Cabochon Crown

In most cases, Cartier watches have an iconic blue sapphire cabochon set into the crown (the winding knob of the watch), but you may see a diamond or rubber cabochon set into the crown instead.

While Cartier is all about using premium, high-quality materials at every step, fakes may use coloured glass or plastic to attempt to replicate this, meaning it can look dull. It may also be poorly crafted, so look out for any wobbles or misalignment.

Cloudy beads can be used to replace genuine gemstones, cutting costs and providing a similar-looking replica.

A real Cartier watch’s cabochon should:

• Reflect the light, as it's a real gemstone
• Be securely set in place and precisely centred
• Be durable and vibrant, cut and polished to a flawlessly rounded shape

4. Serial Number

Another big indicator, the serial number can tell you a lot about the authenticity - or lack of - a Cartier watch.

As every genuine Cartier watch is assigned a unique serial number, it’s essentially that watch’s fingerprint, and can be used to track and verify the watch’s production and origins.

A real Cartier watch’s serial number should:

• Be engraved on the back of the case
• Contain both letters and numbers (format may vary by specific model and year of production)
• Appear clear, precise and without any signs of tampering

5. Smooth Movement

Luxury and precision go hand in hand, and Cartier is no exception. Most authentic Cartier watches use high-precision Swiss movements, resulting in smooth, almost gliding second-hand motion if its an automatic movement.

If the second hand moves in loud, jerky ticks, not in an elegant, seamless way, and you can actually notice the ticking motion, the chances are, it’s a fake.

Replicas tend to use poor movements with noticeable ticking, especially on models that are supposed to be automatic or mechanical.

A real Cartier watch:

• Uses Swiss-made mechanical or quartz movements (depending on the model)
• Shouldn’t have noticeable ticking on automatic models
• Should be the epitome of smoothness, with every movement oozing luxury and high-quality

6. Dial Details

Does the dial printing on your watch appear blurry or smudged? Are there any inconsistencies with spacing or alignment? If so, you’re likely dealing with a counterfeit Cartier.

The elegant dial is a testament to the perfection, luxury and premium standards that Cartier offers as a brand, with no exception to the printing of text and numerals.

Often, fakes miss the mark on replicating the dial’s identity, for example, using an incorrect font, shapes or sizes of the Roman numerals, or poorly finished hands, which could be bent or misaligned with the markers.

Also, one of Cartier’s signature features is the hidden “Cartier” name subtly integrated into the Roman numeral VII or X - a detail many fakes also miss.

A real Cartier watch dial should feature:

• Iconic Roman numerals on the dial, which have become a hallmark of the brand
• Evenly spaced, clear text and numerals, all of which are meticulously aligned
• Hands which are properly proportioned to the dial

6. Scratch-Proof Glass

Cartier is well-known for its luxury, premium materials used, built for durability, and to be a timeless piece in your collection. If a “Cartier” watch has glass that easily scratches, that’s usually a telltale sign of a fake.

A hallmark of a real Cartier is sapphire crystal glass, which is second only to diamond in terms of its hardness on the Mohs scale. In short, Cartier’s glass should be extremely hard and resistant to any type of scratches. Some really poor attempts at replicas could include mineral crystal or even plastic.

A real Cartier watch should:

• Be finished with scratch-proof sapphire crystal glass to contribute to the luxurious feel
• Reflect light cleanly and clearly
• Glass set smoothly and square to its watch casing

8. Case & Screws

The case and screws are often overlooked, but they’re telling indicators of authenticity.

Genuine Cartier watches are known for their attention to detail and beautiful craftsmanship, so anything less than perfect, or showing signs of poor craftsmanship, is a red flag.

For example, if the bezel of a Cartier Santos has screws that match in direction, it’s a safe bet the watch is a fake. You might even find some screws that are ‘chewed’ or don't sit flush to the bracelet when tightened. This is below the standard you would expect from Cartier.

A real Cartier watch’s screws should:

• Be flush with the surface of the case

• Be evenly spaced out, without any gaps or protrusions
• Appear as a flawless finish, with precise attention to detail, with zero rough edges or flaws

10. Price

Possibly the easiest way to spot a fake Cartier: the cost. If the deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Genuine Cartier timepieces can range from £2,300 to over £370,000, depending on the model and materials used.

This large sum is due to their premium craftsmanship, use of the finest materials and meticulous quality control measures, not to mention, of course, their unrivalled brand reputation.

Be wary of terms including “bargain”, “sale” or “discount” or vague listings from unverified or unreliable sellers. If you’re unsure, our guide to pre-owned watches gives you a great starting point.

A real Cartier watch:

• Commands a premium price reflective of its craftsmanship
• Can be discounted by legitimate sellers, but would never be unrealistic or seen as “too good to be true”
• Should be purchased only from trusted jewellers or authorised resellers

Shop Real Cartier Watches at Miltons Diamonds

Want the best way to guarantee your Cartier watch is real? Buy from a trusted jeweller, like Miltons Diamonds.

Whether you're shopping for new or pre-owned, we offer a stunning collection of authentic Cartier watches. Choose from a variety of movements (automatic or quartz), case materials and dial colours - all backed by expert knowledge and professional service.

Find your next timepiece with help from our specialist team today - simply give us a call, or visit us in store for expert guidance on choosing the perfect Cartier.