A counterfeit Cartier Pasha is an unauthorized copy of the Cartier Pasha watch. These copies sell for $50 to $300. They use cheap quartz or low-grade automatic movements. The real Cartier Pasha debuted in 1985. It has a screw-down crown cap at 4 o'clock. A chain connects the cap to the case. Counterfeits miss these details.
Key features of the authentic Cartier Pasha
- Case size: 38mm or 42mm
- Crown at 4 o'clock with screw-down cap
- Chain attached to the crown cap
- Sapphire crystal
- Cartier caliber 1847 MC or 1904-CH MC
- Water resistance: 100 meters
How to identify a counterfeit Cartier Pasha
Case and crown
The authentic Pasha has a crown cap with a chain. The chain links are small and precise. Counterfeits often have a plastic cap or no chain. The crown on a fake sits at 3 o'clock or is glued shut. The case of a fake uses stainless steel with poor finishing. The lugs are thicker or thinner than the real watch.
Dial and hands
Authentic Pasha dials have a guilloché pattern. The text "Cartier" and "Pasha de Cartier" is crisp. The date window sits at 4:30. Counterfeit dials have blurry text. The date window sits at 3 o'clock. The hands on a fake are too short or too wide. The second hand stutters because of a cheap quartz movement.
Movement
Cartier uses in-house or high-grade Swiss movements. A counterfeit uses a Chinese quartz or a low-grade automatic like the DG2813. You can see the movement through a sapphire case back on some models. The real movement has Geneva stripes and engraved Cartier logos. A fake movement is plain and undecorated.
Case back and serial numbers
Every authentic Cartier Pasha has a serial number. The number is 6 to 8 digits. It is engraved on the case back. The engraving is deep and clear. Counterfeits have shallow engraving. The serial number may be repeated on multiple fakes. The model number also appears on the case back. For example, "W31072M7" for a Pasha 38mm. A fake may have no model number or a wrong one.
Bracelet and strap
Authentic Pasha bracelets have solid links. The clasp has a double push-button release. The Cartier logo is stamped on the clasp. Counterfeit bracelets use hollow links. The clasp is thin and flimsy. The logo stamp is weak or missing.
Price and market
Authentic Cartier Pasha watches cost $5,000 to $30,000. Counterfeits sell for $50 to $300. A high-quality replica may cost $300 to $800. These replicas use better movements and materials. But they are not counterfeit because they are sold as replicas. Counterfeits are sold as real watches.
To avoid buying a counterfeit, buy from an authorized dealer. Or buy a replica from a seller that labels the watch as a replica. Check the crown, chain, and serial number before you pay.