Short answer
A replica Cartier Santos blue dial men's watch copies the Santos de Cartier large model, reference WSSA0013. The genuine watch has a 39.8 mm steel case, a blue sunray dial, and Cartier caliber 1847 MC. Copies sell for $120 to $600 on most replica sites. They copy the case shape and the dial color. They do not copy the movement, the hand finishing, or the warranty. US law classifies them as counterfeit goods, and Customs and Border Protection can seize them at import.
replica cartier santos blue women
Genuine specs to check against
Copies get measured against these numbers. Either the copy matches or it does not.
- Case: 39.8 mm wide, 9.38 mm thick, steel, brushed and polished
- Lug width: 20 mm at the case
- Dial: blue sunray, gradient from center to edge, Roman numerals, sword hands
- Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating
- Movement: Cartier 1847 MC automatic, 23 jewels, 28,800 vph, 42 hour power reserve
- Water resistance: 100 m
- Bracelet: steel, QuickSwitch release, SmartLink removable links
- Retail: about $7,000 to $8,000 with steel bracelet or strap
Cartier sells the blue dial in two sizes. Large is 39.8 mm. Medium is 35.1 mm. The Santos-Dumont is a separate line with a different case and movement, and it also comes with a blue dial. Buyers mix the two up.
replica cartier santos blue women
Where copies differ
Dial finish
The genuine blue dial shifts tone as the wrist turns. Most copies use flat blue paint with no gradient, or a gradient that reads purple under indoor light. Roman numeral printing on copies runs thick, and the Cartier script sits too large or sits off center above the VI.
Replica Cartier Santos Blue Leather Strap: A Buyer's Guide
Case thickness
Copies with a Miyota 9015 often measure 9.8 mm to 10.5 mm thick against 9.38 mm on the genuine. The added height comes from movement spacers and caseback depth. Ask for a caliper photo.
Movement
Cartier 1847 MC is in-house and not sold to third parties. Copies run Miyota 9015, Seagull ST2130, or a clone of the ETA 2824. These are serviceable movements. They are not the genuine caliber. A listing that claims an 1847 MC clone is describing decoration on a third-party movement.
Bracelet and clasp
Genuine SmartLink pins release with a push. Copy bracelets use friction pins or screws with soft heads. Clasp engraving on copies is shallow, and the folding arm has play.
Legal status in the United States
Trafficking in counterfeit goods violates 18 U.S.C. 2320. Import of goods that carry a counterfeit mark is prohibited, and CBP seizes shipments at the port. A buyer faces seizure of the item and, in some cases, civil claims from the trademark owner. Buying from a site that ships from overseas does not move the legal risk to the seller.
Checks before paying
- Ask for a photo of the caseback on a caliper.
- Ask for the dial in daylight, not studio light.
- Confirm the movement model in writing.
- Confirm return terms and who pays return shipping.
- Check if the seller lists a US address and a phone number.
Questions buyers ask
Does the blue match the genuine dial?
No copy matches it under all lighting. The closest copies sit within a small shade range in daylight and drift toward purple or navy indoors.
Is the 35.1 mm medium a better fit for small wrists?
Yes for wrists under about 6.5 inches. The large case has a 20 mm lug and a flat caseback that sits wide on a narrow wrist.
Do copies take genuine straps?
Some do. The QuickSwitch cutout and the lug holes vary by factory. Measure before buying a strap.