How Do I Identify a Pasha De Cartier Replica?

The Pasha de Cartier is one of Cartier's most renowned lines of timepieces. Made for both men and women, an authentic Pasha de Cartier is one of the most expensive watches in the world, starting at a minimum of $3,500 (as of 2010). Cartier is known as the "jeweler to Kings, king of jewelers" due to its long standing service to the royalty of Europe. Founded in 1847, Cartier watches and jewelry are some of the most sought after luxury items among dignitaries and celebrities worldwide. Iidentifying a replica Pasha de Cartier is fairly simple for savvy watch collectors.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Jeweler's loop

1. Look at the face of the watch. A real Pasha de Cartier will have the date window between four o'clock and five o' clock on the watch face. Watch the movement of the hands, which should be smooth and sweeping, as opposed to choppy and jerky. Replicas of Cartier watches also often have the brand name misspelled on the watch face.

2. Flip the watch over and use the jeweler's loop to find the Cartier hallmarks. Cartier is a French company and in France, by law, fine jewelers are obligated to stamp two hallmarks on all fine jewelry. Those are the "standard" hallmark and "sponsor" hallmark. These markings are unique to Cartier and are registered in the French assay office. If the casing is lacking hallmarks it is not a real Pasha de Cartier watch.

3. Cross-check the watch certificate with Cartier directly. The Pasha de Cartier watches, like all Cartier watches, are issued a identification card to certify their authenticity for insurance purposes. Ask the seller for this card so that you may check with Cartier directly to verify its legitimacy. If the seller cannot provide this information it is definitely not a Cartier watch.

4. Find the serial number of the watch and cross-check it with the Cartier database. Use the jeweler's loop to find the micro-inscribed individual number on the back of the timepiece. All Cartier watches bear a number, and no two are the same. If the watch doesn't have this number it is a replica.

5. Test the materials of the watch. Pasha de Cartier watches are made with gold, silver, titanium and platinum. Cartier never uses substandard materials or synthetic jewels in its timepieces. If the watch contains nongenuine metal or diamonds it is a replica.

Tips & Warnings

• The Pasha de Cartier watch line launched in 1985 and is one of Cartier's most popular selling timepieces.

• There are companies who legitimately sell "replica" Cartier watches. They do not advertise them as real Cartier, yet advertise them as being "in the style of" a Cartier watch. Pay attention to the language the seller is using, as often that is the best clue to if it is a real Cartier or a replica.

• Report counterfeiters selling replica Cartier timepieces as real Cartier timepieces to Cartier directly and to your local law enforcement agency.

References

• Watch Replica: About Cartier Replica
• Cartier: Certificates and Hallmarks