First things first, let’s talk weight. A real Cartier, especially a Santos or a Tank, isn’t going to feel like some cheap plastic toy. It’s gonna have some heft to it, y’know? Like, you can *feel* the quality. If it’s suspiciously light, like you could blow it away with a sneeze, red flags should be waving like crazy. Now, I’m not saying *every* light watch is fake, but it’s definitely something to pay attention to. Counterfeiters often skimp on materials, and that translates directly into weight.
Speaking of materials, give the thing a good once-over. Cartier uses top-notch stuff. Think high-quality stainless steel, maybe some precious metals, definitely some real leather. If the “leather” looks like it came off a plastic raincoat, or the “gold” is already flaking, run. Just *run*. It’s not worth the headache. I mean, seriously, do you *really* want to be walking around with a fake? I wouldn’t.
Oh, and the movement! Now, this is where things get a little trickier. If you can, try to peek at the movement through the back (if it’s a model where you *can*, of course). Cartier movements are, well, beautiful. Intricate, precise, and usually marked. A cheap fake is gonna have a movement that looks like something you’d find in a dollar-store toy. It’ll be clunky, probably loud, and definitely not something you want representing your wrist. (I personally don’t know much about movements, but I’d take it to a watchmaker!)
I also think the details are where the *real* giveaways are, y’know? Look at the font on the dial. Is it crisp and clean, or is it smudged and uneven? How about the screws? Are they properly aligned, or are they all wonky and crooked? Even tiny inconsistencies can be a sign that something’s off. They might even try to mimic the little “Cartier” signature hidden in one of the Roman numerals (usually the VII). Check that out! If it’s missing or looks weird, you’ve got a problem.
And honestly, let’s be real here, if the price is too good to be true, it probably is. A genuine Cartier costs what it costs for a reason. Don’t expect to find a pristine, authentic Santos for the price of a Happy Meal. Use your common sense, people!
