What Is a Fake Cartier Santos 2018?
A fake Cartier Santos 2018 is a counterfeit of the steel Santos de Cartier that Cartier launched at SIHH in January 2018. The giveaways sit in three places: the QuickSwitch strap release, the SmartLink bracelet buttons, and the engraving on the rotor and caseback. A buyer who knows those three areas can spot a fake Cartier Santos 2018 in about a minute.
What Is the 2018 Santos de Cartier?
The 2018 Santos de Cartier replaced the Santos 100 and brought back the exposed-screw bezel and square case that Louis Cartier sketched in 1904. Cartier sold it in two steel sizes, a large at 39.8mm wide and 9.38mm thick, and a medium at 35.1mm wide. Both run the in-house caliber 1847 MC with a 42-hour power reserve.
The bracelet is the reason this reference matters. QuickSwitch releases the strap with a press of a tab near the lug, and SmartLink removes bracelet links with a push of a small button on the side. Neither job needs a tool. Counterfeiters copied the look of that hardware first and the function last.
How Do You Spot a Fake Cartier Santos 2018?
Work through these checks in order. The first two take seconds and settle most cases.
- Press the QuickSwitch tab. A genuine strap end pops off with light thumb pressure. Copies resist, need a spring bar tool, or fall loose in the hand because the tab is a molded dummy.
- Push the SmartLink buttons. Each removable link has a small button on its side. On a fake the buttons often do not move, or the links come out with pliers only.
- Study the date window. The real aperture has cut edges and a flat, thin date font with no magnifier. Copies run bold, oversized digits with soft corners.
- Read the dial print. Letter spacing on "CARTIER", the shape of the VII numeral, and the "SWISS MADE" line are easy to compare against photos of a real dial.
- Check the crown cabochon. The crown holds a faceted blue synthetic spinel. Fakes use plastic or glass that sits flat, crooked, or cloudy.
- Compare the caseback. Engraving on a real watch is crisp, and the serial ties to the reference, which starts with WSSA on 2018 steel models. Swapped or re-engraved casebacks are common.
- Look at the movement. The 1847 MC shows Cotes de Geneve stripes, a signed rotor, and 23 jewels. Clone movements place the regulator and balance in different spots, and the rotor text is stamped rather than engraved.
- Feel the weight and finish. A large steel Santos on its bracelet has a solid heft, and the case mixes brushed flats with polished bevels. Hollow cases and cloudy polishing show up fast in the hand.
What Do Fake Santos 2018 Watches Get Wrong Most Often?
- Dial text: wrong stroke weight, crowded letters, or a misaligned "SWISS MADE".
- Bezel screws: shallow slots, painted heads, or screws that sit on the surface instead of in the bezel.
- Crystal: weak anti-reflective coating, or a domed profile that distorts the dial edge.
- Bracelet taper: links that do not narrow toward the clasp, which changes how the watch sits on the wrist.
- Water resistance: a claimed 100 meters with no real gaskets or threaded caseback. Do not swim in one.
Should You Buy a Fake Cartier Santos 2018?
Selling counterfeits is illegal in the United States under the Trademark Counterfeiting Act, and US Customs can seize an imported copy. Cartier will not service a counterfeit, and no independent watchmaker can buy 1847 MC parts. Resale value sits near zero.
The trade-off is plain. A copy costs a fraction of the real watch, but the QuickSwitch release, the SmartLink buttons, and the in-house movement are exactly the parts a copy skips. Buyers who want the square steel look without the legal and service problems have legal options from other brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a genuine 2018 Santos de Cartier cost?
Steel large models sit in the four to five thousand dollar range on the secondary market, and dial color, box, and papers move the number by several hundred dollars. Check live listings for a current figure, because the market shifts through the year.
Does a fake Santos 2018 use a real 1847 MC movement?
No. Copies use third-party movements, often a Miyota or an ETA 2824 pattern, and some add a decorative plate stamped with the Cartier name. The 1847 MC is made in-house and Cartier controls the parts supply.
Is the 2018 Santos harder to copy than the Santos 100?
Yes. The QuickSwitch tab and SmartLink buttons are precision parts, while the older Santos 100 used a plain bracelet with standard spring bars. A close look at the lug area separates the two designs.
Can a jeweler spot a fake from photos?
Sharp photos of the dial, date, and caseback catch most copies. A firm answer on the movement needs the watch in hand. A Cartier boutique or an authorized service center can check the serial against the case and the movement.