Fake Cartier Santos Steel: Quick Answer
A fake Cartier Santos Steel is a counterfeit watch that copies the Cartier Santos de Cartier. These replicas use stainless steel cases, sapphire or mineral glass, and Asian-made movements. Prices range from $50 to $800. In the US, selling them is illegal. Buying one for personal use can lead to seizure by Customs.
What the Real Cartier Santos Steel Is
Cartier introduced the Santos in 1904. The modern steel Santos de Cartier launched in 1978. The large model measures 39.8 mm x 47.5 mm x 9.38 mm. It uses the Caliber 1847 MC automatic movement. The case is stainless steel. The bracelet has a SmartLink system. Retail price is $7,050 for the large steel model on a steel bracelet.
Common Features of Fake Cartier Santos Steel
- Case: 316L stainless steel, sometimes 904L. Dimensions are 39.8 mm x 47.5 mm. Thickness is 10 mm or more.
- Crystal: Sapphire with anti-reflective coating. Cheaper fakes use mineral glass.
- Movement: Asian automatic. Examples: Seiko NH35, Miyota 9015, ETA 2824 clone. Some use quartz.
- Dial: Printed Cartier logo. Date window at 3 o'clock. Roman numerals. Some have a flinque center.
- Bracelet: Stainless steel with push pins or screws. SmartLink clone does not work.
- Water resistance: 30 m or less. Not tested.
Price Tiers for Fake Cartier Santos Steel
Low-end: $50 to $150. Mineral glass. Quartz movement. Stamped caseback. Poor finishing.
Mid-range: $150 to $350. Sapphire glass. Asian automatic. Decent case shape. Incorrect thickness.
High-end super clone: $350 to $800. 1:1 case dimensions. Clone 1847 MC movement or modified ETA. Realistic dial printing. Correct bracelet.
How to Spot a Fake Cartier Santos Steel
- Check the movement. Genuine uses Caliber 1847 MC. Fakes use other movements. You can see the movement through the caseback. Genuine has Geneva stripes and Cartier engraving.
- Measure the thickness. Genuine is 9.38 mm. Many fakes are 10 mm or more.
- Inspect the crown. Genuine has a blue synthetic spinel or sapphire cabochon. Fakes use glass or plastic.
- Look at the date font. Genuine uses a specific font. Fakes may have wrong font or misaligned date.
- Check the bracelet screws. Genuine uses flat-head screws on the sides. Fakes may use pins.
Legal Status in the US
Under 18 U.S.C. § 2320, trafficking counterfeit goods is a federal crime. Penalties include up to 10 years in prison for a first offense. Buying a fake for personal use is not a federal crime, but Customs can seize the item. In fiscal year 2022, US Customs seized 26,000 counterfeit watches worth $1.1 billion.
What to Look For If You Want a Replica
If you decide to buy a fake, focus on these parts: case thickness, movement type, crystal material, and bracelet construction. High-end fakes use 904L steel, sapphire crystal with AR coating, and a clone 1847 MC movement. Prices for these are $500 to $800. Lower-priced fakes cut corners on the movement and finishing.