A fake Cartier Santos Lady copy is a replica of a small Cartier Santos watch. The copies target the Santos-Dumont and Santos de Cartier small cases. The genuine Santos-Dumont small measures 38 mm long, 27.5 mm wide, and 7.3 mm thick. It uses a quartz movement. Copies differ in steel grade, crystal, movement, dial print, and strap.
Fake Cartier Santos Lady Availability: What You Can Actually Buy
What "Lady" means in the Santos line
Cartier's current catalog lists the Santos-Dumont and Santos de Cartier in small sizes. The catalog does not use the name "Santos Lady." The term is common in resale listings. A lady copy refers to a small case, about 27 to 34 mm wide, with a short strap.
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Common copy grades
- Low grade: mineral glass, 304 steel, printed dial, quartz movement with plastic parts. Price under $80.
- Mid grade: sapphire crystal, 316L steel, applied markers, Japanese quartz (Miyota). Price $120 to $250.
- High grade: sapphire with anti-reflective coating, 316L steel, Swiss quartz (Ronda or ETA), correct dial font and crown cabochon. Price $300 and up.
Sellers use these labels. Cartier does not. No copy is authentic.
fake cartier santos lady quality
Parts to check
- Case size: measure length, width, and thickness with calipers. A 1 mm error changes the look.
- Crystal: sapphire resists scratches. Mineral glass shows wear in weeks.
- Crown: Cartier uses a blue synthetic spinel cabochon on many steel models. Copies use glass or dyed plastic.
- Dial: check the Cartier logo, the "Swiss Made" text at 6 o'clock, and the minute track. Blurred print is a common flaw.
- Movement: quartz in the small Santos-Dumont. Automatic in larger Santos de Cartier. Ask for the caliber number.
- Strap: alligator or calf leather on genuine models. Copies use embossed cowhide. Check stitching density and edge paint.
Legal status in the US
Counterfeit watches infringe trademarks. US law, 18 U.S.C. § 2320, makes trafficking in counterfeit goods a crime. US Customs and Border Protection can seize and destroy counterfeit watch shipments. Buying a copy for personal use is not a safe harbor. Import seizures happen. Resale as genuine is fraud.
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Questions to ask a seller
- What are the exact case dimensions in mm?
- What crystal and movement are used?
- Is the cabochon glass, plastic, or spinel?
- Can you show a close-up of the dial print and caseback?
If the seller cannot answer, treat the watch as low grade. No copy carries a Cartier warranty or service card.