What is a replica Drive de Cartier?
A replica Drive de Cartier is a copy of the Cartier Drive de Cartier watch. The original launched in 2016. It has a cushion-shaped case. Replicas range from $80 to $800. They use quartz, Japanese automatic, or Swiss ETA movements. The best replicas use a clone of the Cartier 1904-PS MC movement.
Original Cartier Drive de Cartier specs
The original comes in 40mm x 41mm and 38mm cases. Case thickness is 11.5mm for the 40mm. It uses sapphire crystal. Water resistance is 30 meters. The dial has Roman numerals and a railroad minute track. The small seconds subdial sits at 6 o'clock. The crown is set with a blue sapphire or spinel.
Replica grades and prices
Low-grade replicas cost $80 to $150. They use quartz movements. The case is chrome-plated brass. The dial printing is flat. Mid-grade replicas cost $200 to $350. They use Japanese Miyota or Seiko automatic movements. The case is 316L stainless steel. High-grade replicas cost $400 to $800. They use Swiss ETA 2892 or a clone 1904-PS MC. The case is 904L stainless steel. The dial has applied Roman numerals. The crystal is sapphire with anti-reflective coating.
Movement details
Original Cartier 1904-PS MC movement: 27 jewels, 28,800 vibrations per hour, 48-hour power reserve. Clone movements match these numbers. Some clones use a Seagull ST19 base. The finishing differs. Original has Geneva stripes and perlage. Clones have basic finishing.
Case and dial
Original case is 18k pink gold, yellow gold, or steel. Replicas use gold plating or solid gold for high-end. Plating thickness is 3 to 5 microns. Solid gold replicas cost over $1,500. Dial color: silver, white, blue, black. Replica dials may have wrong font. The "Cartier" logo is often too thick. The date window at 3 o'clock may have wrong font.
Weight and feel
Original steel Drive de Cartier weighs 80 grams. Replicas weigh 70 to 90 grams. High-grade replicas use correct caseback engravings. Serial numbers are not real. Low-grade replicas have laser-etched casebacks.
Water resistance
Original is 30 meters. Replicas often fail water tests. Do not swim with a replica. Gaskets are poor. Some high-grade replicas pass 30 meters. Test before use.
How to spot a replica
Check the crown. Original crown has a blue sapphire. Replicas use blue glass or plastic. Check the movement. Original has a smooth sweep. Quartz replicas tick once per second. Check the caseback. Original has "Swiss Made" at 6 o'clock. Replicas may omit or misspell. Check the weight. Original feels heavier. Check the date font. Original uses a specific serif. Replicas use Arial.
Legal note
Replica watches are illegal to sell as authentic in the US. Customs may seize shipments. Buying a replica is not a crime in most US states. Selling one as real is fraud.