Short answer
A replica Cartier Panthère bracelet copies the look of the Panthère de Cartier chain bracelet. It is not made by Cartier. Prices run from about $20 for plated brass to $400 and up for 316L steel with thicker gold plating and set stones. Quality tracks three things: base metal, plating thickness, and the clasp.
What the original is
Cartier sells the Panthère de Cartier bracelet in 18k yellow, rose, or white gold. The band is a flexible chain of flat links with visible screw heads. The clasp sits inside the last link. Retail prices run in the thousands of US dollars. Replicas copy the outline and the screw pattern. They do not copy the alloy, the weight, or the finish.
Base metal
- Brass or copper alloy: lowest cost, tarnishes in weeks, leaves green marks on skin.
- 316L stainless steel: common in mid-range replicas, holds shape, resists rust.
- Tungsten or titanium: rare in this model, heavier, hard to engrave.
Plating
Plating thickness is measured in microns. Most replicas use 0.03 to 0.1 micron of gold flash. Better pieces use 1 to 3 microns of 14k or 18k gold over steel. Plating under 0.5 micron wears through at the clasp and the link edges, the two high-contact points. Ask for the micron number in writing. A seller with no number has no answer.
Fit and sizing
Original sizes run from 15 cm to 19 cm. Replica sellers list S, M, L or 16, 17, and 18 cm. Measure the wrist with a tape and add 1 cm for a close fit, 1.5 cm for a loose fit. Screw-driver links let you remove length on some models. Confirm that spare screws ship with the order.
US legal status
Sale of goods bearing the Cartier name or the panther mark is trademark counterfeiting under 15 U.S.C. § 1114. US Customs and Border Protection can seize shipments under 19 U.S.C. § 1526 and 19 CFR Part 133. A seized parcel means no goods and, in most cases, no refund from the seller. Resale carries larger exposure than personal use.
What you cannot verify
No replica seller can supply a Cartier certificate, a serial number in the Cartier system, or a service record. Photos on wholesale sites show a sample, not the batch. Gold content claims need an XRF test to confirm. A listing that claims solid 18k gold at a price near steel is false.