How to tell a fake Cartier Rotonde 2018 watch
A fake Cartier Rotonde from 2018 fails on three checks: the movement, the caseback engraving, and the crown cabochon. Real 2018 Rotonde models run in-house Cartier calibers. Fakes run an ETA 7750 or a Chinese 7750 clone.
replica cartier rotonde 2018 watch
Movement
The Rotonde de Cartier 42 mm chronograph uses the 1904-CH MC. It runs at 28,800 vph and holds a 48-hour power reserve. The rotor is engraved, not printed. The words Cartier and 1904-CH MC are cut into the metal. A fake rotor shows laser etching or ink. Fake chronographs use a Valjoux 7750 base. The 7750 has a 40-hour power reserve and a different pusher feel. Press the chronograph pushers. The real 1904-CH MC has a crisp, light action. The clone feels gritty.
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Caseback and serial number
Real casebacks carry three marks: the reference number, the serial number, and Swiss Made. Rotonde references start with W or CRW. The serial number is 6 to 8 characters. Engraving is deep enough to catch a fingernail. Fake engraving is shallow and laser-etched. The font on fakes is wider and the letters are uneven. Cartier boutiques can check the serial number in the brand database. If the number is missing, Cartier will not service the watch.
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Gold and case material
2018 Rotonde cases come in steel, 18k pink gold, 18k white gold, and platinum. Swiss law requires a hallmark on 18k gold. The St. Bernard dog head stamp sits inside the caseback. Fake gold watches use plating. Plating wears off at the lugs and crown. A real pink gold case has a warm, deep tone. A plated fake looks yellow or orange under daylight.
replica cartier rotonde 2018 watch
Crown cabochon
Cartier fits a blue sapphire or spinel cabochon in the crown. The stone is smooth and set flush. Fake cabochons are plastic or glass. They look cloudy, sit high, and shift off-center. Run a fingernail over the cabochon. Real stones are hard and cool. Plastic is soft and warm.
Dial and hands
The 2018 Rotonde dial has a guilloche pattern and printed Cartier and Swiss Made. Fakes print the text too thick. The spacing between Rotonde de Cartier and the center is wrong. Real sword hands are blued steel. Fakes are painted blue. Under a loupe, painted hands show brush marks.
Price
A real 2018 Rotonde de Cartier 42 mm chronograph in steel sells for about $8,000 to $10,000. Pink gold runs about $20,000 to $25,000. Complication models cost more than $50,000. Fakes sell for $150 to $600. A seller asking $2,000 for a Rotonde is selling a fake or a stolen watch.
Box and papers
Real Cartier boxes have a red lacquer finish and a serial-numbered certificate. Fake sets use photocopied papers and a lighter box. The certificate number must match the caseback. A mismatch means the watch is fake or the papers are fake.