Identify model number and serial number. You can find both items on your original Cartier paperwork, warranty card, or watch appraisal. Identify Serial number. Serial number determines Serial number determines Model. Serial numbers on many Cartiers can be found on the case back. Identify the material of the case, bezel and the bracelet.
Cartier serial numbers for Watches Guide. The vast majority of luxury watches are equipped with a serial number. The serial number is unique to the watch and can serve a number of purposes. All manufacturers use different serial number systems, but a serial number usually consists of a series of digits, sometimes also letters.
Rings with the 52833A serial numbers and the word Love on the sides are the easy to spot fakes. That serial number is used repeatedly. You can buy them for about $20 more or less. They are probably made of titanium not gold.
Saturday 11th June 2011
I have been looking at some of these watches on ebay, and although the seller in questions seems 100% genuine with 600+ positive feedbacks, a contact number, address, plus an offer to have the watch authenticated in person at a approved cartier retailer in central london (presumably of my choice) I still have a question regarding the serial numbers. He offers to supply the serial number on request- once I have this what do I do with it, and how would I authenticate the watch with it? Is it enough to just call a approved retailer and give them the number- can or will they check and give me an answer or is there another procedure? As the seller is some distance from me I would rather do this first prior to inspecting the watch in person (something which the seller has no issue with and is happy to allow). Can someone shed some light on the serial numbers? My other questions is regarding paperwork- what specificaly will the watch come with? Apart from the white case, red box, specificaly what papers and documents should I be looking for? What should make me suspicious (if missing or no photograph)? Again, as it is not such a short journey to the seller I would rather verify what can reasonable be verified online prior to inspecting in person as anything dubious at this stage would save me a journey. Going by the price, and everything else I mentioned such as his feedbacks, other items listed and his offer for authentication I have no reason to suspect a fake at this stage- still want to be 100% sure of course. Thanks in advance to anyone that can help or has any experience with buying watches from ebay.
Saturday 11th June 2011
Cartier Glasses Serial Number Lookup
Im sure someone will be along to assist re serial numbers etc.just remember on ebay paypal is your friend if all isnt as it should be btdt
Sunday 12th June 2011
Paypal has it's benefits yes. I would not buy the watch before it was authenticated in person by a reputable cartier retailer in any case, but would still really appreciate some help regarding the serial numbers and what paperwork/documentation this watch should have (2011 cartier santos 100). The watch model number is: W20090X8 But this is not the serial number of course (which is individual to each specific watch) If I can verify the serial number which the seller will give me prior to making the journey that would be a big help.I need to know what to look out for on that front.
Sunday 12th June 2011
Sunday 12th June 2011
I have been doing some reading on cartier watch authenticatiom and from what I can tell the serial number is not a great help as it is printed on the back of the watch and can esily enough be duplicated. Apparently the only way to be 100% certain is for a specialist to open the watch and check the movement. I have read about high end fakes which sell for $350-$600 as fakes and are generally very well done and extremely convincing even to someone that handles watches like this- I am now a little concerned as the cartier santos is an often duplicated watch and this model in particular has numerous replicas, I assume that is down to demand or perhaps it is esier to replicate convincingly than other watches. Here is the ebay listing: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-2011-Cartier-Santos-100-. Going by what I have read regarding authentication, I may not go the ebay route as it seems fakes are becoming more convincing. Anyone have any insight on this or bought a cartier (or similar brand) watch from ebay- how did you have it authenticated before paying?
Sunday 12th June 2011
'although the seller in questions seems 100% genuine with 600+ positive feedbacks' 5 feedbacks in the last 12 months - 4 of these as a buyer ! I'd be careful with my £5k 4KA
Monday 13th June 2011
OP. You really want to be buying this in person. The watch is an after-set item, which means that the Cartier International Warranty will be void. Any aftercare by Cartier SAV will also be not possible. You'll need to check the quality of the work, and establish very clearly what warranty is offered. Yes, there are a number of very good counterfeit Cartier Santos 100 in circulation, so you'll need to be very careful when buying. The ebay seller appears to be a private individual in Blackburn, who appears to be 're-selling' on behalf of the firm who did the diamond setting. If you buy from a private seller, you are effectively buying as seen. It seems a lot of money to buy a non-original, non-factory warranted piece on ebay.. Just my 2 cents. DH
Tuesday 14th June 2011
Yes, most definitely an after set item- the price for this watch (used near mint condition) is around 2500 usualy, obviously the dimonds which have been added to the bezel/crown and the sellers profit margin are making up the rest of the 5700. The warranty is stated at two years, but this would as you said not be a cartier warranty but rather an external warranty presumably from the seller which I would have to look into. What I am concerned about is authentication- I have read what info is available and can't really find much out. My questions are: -Once I get a serial number from the seller how can I verify this number- does cartier offer this service? -Is there a paid for (happy to pay) or free of charge physical authentication service that a cartier retailer in london offers on watches? Anyone used somewhere for authentication of cartier or similar level brand and have a recommendation. Finally, the documentation- exactly what should come with the watch? I would only ever buy this, or any similar watch in person, and after it has been authenticated in front of me. I suppose one quick way to find out if it is genuine is to offer 2000 and see if the seller accepts. If he does it is obviously a replica, as that would not even cover the price of the basic pre-diamond watch if it was bought used, if it a replecia though he will no doubt accept as that is 10+ times more than he would have paid for it.
Cartier Serial Number Database Online
Tuesday 14th June 2011
Feck me, I wouldn't want that if you paid me millions to wear it! I have a Cartier Santos in steel and love it. Diamonds ruin any watch IMHO
Wednesday 15th June 2011
lol we all have different tastes- I have quite a plain steel rolex sub for day to day wear, the cartier was not intended as an every day watch so perhaps it's more flamboyant apprerance has some justification. I also quite like the steel/gold santos 100 (the newer xl model) at around 4000-4250 for a very nice used one it is an option. Still hoping someone can help with some advice regarding authenticating a serial number and a recommendation for where to do a physical authentication with the seller- someone on the board must have bought a watch higher end watch from ebay at some point??
Thursday 16th June 2011
OP. Where are you in the UK? A Cartier AD will not get involved in providing authentication, why would they want to? In addition, a lot of fakes will carry the serial number from a genuine article, so it would appear to check out as ok. What has the seller offered in terms of authentication? Whose AD stamp is on the warranty? Buying high value watches on ebay is a minefield at the best of times. Can you not find a reliable dealer you can buy from? Or just buy the correct, original watch at the budget you're looking at. DH