A fake Cartier Santos 162351 is a replica Cartier Santos sold under a seller's listing code, not an official Cartier reference. Cartier labels its Santos watches with references such as WSSA0009, WSSA0018, and WSSA0030. When a listing shows a six-digit number like 162351, that number comes from the replica shop's own catalog.
What does the code 162351 tell you about the watch?
Seller codes track inventory. Two shops can stock the same replica Santos under different numbers, and one shop can reuse 162351 for a later batch. The number says nothing about build quality.
Four details decide what you actually get. Ask for each in writing before you pay.
- Case size in millimeters, measured across the case and not including the crown.
- Movement name, such as Miyota 9015, Seagull ST2130, or Sellita SW200.
- Crystal type: sapphire with anti-reflective coating, or mineral glass.
- Bracelet build: screwed links, push pins, or folded metal.
How does a real Santos differ from a fake?
The genuine Santos de Cartier uses a steel case with exposed screws on the bezel, a blue cabochon set into the crown, and printed Roman numerals on the dial. Hitting all three points at once is hard, so most replicas miss on at least one.
Check these points in order:
- Bezel screws sit flush and line up with the bracelet screws on the real watch. Replicas often show raised heads or uneven gaps.
- Dial printing stays sharp under a 10x loupe on the genuine piece. Replica text frays at the edges.
- Date window sits at 3 o'clock with a clean cut and a centered numeral. Fakes show crooked numbers and a rough frame.
- Case back engraving is deep and even on the real thing. Laser-etched copies look shallow and pale.
- Movement: the current Santos de Cartier runs Cartier's in-house 1847 MC automatic. Replicas use Miyota, Seiko, or Chinese ETA clones, so the rotor, bridges, and finish all look different.
- SmartLink bracelet on the 2018-and-later Santos lets you drop links by hand with a push button. Most replicas skip this part.
What are the replica tiers for a Santos?
Replica Santos watches sell in three bands, and the movement marks each one.
- Quartz tier. Battery movement, mineral glass, stamped or folded bracelet. The seconds hand ticks once per second.
- Entry automatic. Miyota 9015, Seiko NH35, or a basic Chinese clone. Sapphire comes on some builds and not others.
- High-end tier. Sellita SW200, Seagull ST2130 (an ETA 2824 clone), or an ETA 2892 clone with better finishing, real screwed links, and case proportions that track the genuine piece.
Price follows the tier. Quartz copies sit at the bottom, entry automatics land in the middle, and high-end builds cost several times more. Ask for a movement photo of the actual watch, not a stock image.
Which Santos models get copied the most?
The Santos de Cartier in 35.1 mm (medium) and 39.8 mm (large) accounts for most replica listings. Both sizes share one case shape, so a single replica case can pass for either size at a glance.
Other lines that show up as replicas:
- Santos-Dumont, the thin dress version, sold with a quartz or hand-wound movement.
- Santos Galbée, the slimmer 1980s design with a smaller case.
- Santos 100, the larger mid-2000s model with a thicker bezel.
What should you check before you pay?
- Ask for photos of the actual watch, dated, with the crown set to a time you name.
- Request a movement shot with the case back removed.
- Confirm the case size in millimeters against the model you want.
- Ask about the return window and what counts as a defect.
- Pay with a method that lets you open a dispute.
Sellers who dodge these requests rarely ship what the listing shows. A short email exchange saves a long argument later.
Is buying a fake Cartier Santos legal in the US?
US customs can seize counterfeit goods at the border, and selling a replica as a genuine Cartier is fraud. Personal import of counterfeit items is restricted, so a parcel can be held or destroyed. Rules differ by country, and this is general information rather than legal advice.
FAQ
Does a fake Cartier Santos 162351 take a genuine Cartier strap?
Sometimes. Lug width and the QuickSwitch spring bar system have to match. Most replicas use standard spring bars, so a genuine strap may slide between the lugs but will not lock into the case.
How can I spot a replica Santos in one look?
Look at the screws and the crown cabochon. Genuine Santos screws sit flush with the bezel, and the cabochon is a smooth blue dome. Replicas show raised screw heads and a flat or cloudy blue stone.
What movement sits inside a high-end replica Santos?
Common choices are the Sellita SW200, the Seagull ST2130, and the ETA 2892 clone. All three are automatics that hack and hand-wind, which is why they land in the top tier. The genuine watch uses Cartier's own 1847 MC.