What "fake Pasha blue" means
"Fake Pasha blue" is a search phrase for counterfeit Cartier Pasha watches with blue dials. Cartier added blue-dial Pasha de Cartier models after the 2020 relaunch. Counterfeiters copy the case shape, the crown cap, and the blue dial finish. Sellers use "Pasha blue" in listings to avoid the brand name. The watch inside is not made by Cartier. It carries no Cartier warranty and no Cartier service record.
Genuine Pasha de Cartier traits
- Case sizes: Pasha de Cartier comes in 41 mm, 35 mm, and 30 mm, plus skeleton and grille versions.
- Crown: a fluted crown sits under a screw-down cap. A small chain holds the cap. On the 41 mm and 35 mm models the cap carries a sapphire cabochon.
- Strap attachment: no standard lugs. The strap or bracelet connects to a bar that passes through the case middle.
- Movement: Cartier lists the 1847 MC as an automatic with 23 jewels and about 40 hours of power reserve.
- Dial text: "CARTIER" in the upper half, "SWISS MADE" at 6 o'clock, and "AUTOMATIC" on automatic versions.
- Blue finish: sunray brushing across the blue dial. The grain runs outward from the center.
Common defects on counterfeit Pasha blue watches
Counterfeit Pasha watches repeat the same faults. The crown cap sits above the case line, or the chain is a solid loop with no links. The cabochon is glass and shows a mold seam. Dial printing is heavy or smeared. On models that carry a date, the aperture sits off center. Caseback engraving is shallow, and the reference number on the back matches no entry in the Cartier catalog. The movement beats at a low rate, so the seconds hand stutters. Bracelet screws are unpolished or use the wrong thread pitch. Weight is a weak test on its own. Counterfeit cases vary in thickness and alloy.
How to check a watch before you buy
- Ask for the case reference number. Compare it against the Cartier site or a boutique.
- Ask for the serial number and a service history.
- Have a watchmaker measure the beat rate and open the caseback.
- Buy from a Cartier boutique, an authorized dealer, or a seller with a documented return policy.
US law on counterfeit watches
Counterfeit watches are illegal to sell and to import. 18 U.S.C. § 2320 makes trafficking in counterfeit goods a federal crime. US Customs and Border Protection can seize counterfeit items, including single items ordered for personal use. Trademark owners can sue sellers under the Lanham Act. Marketplaces and payment processors remove listings and accounts when a rights holder files a complaint.
Sources to verify a Pasha
Cartier publishes case sizes, materials, and reference numbers on its own site. Cartier boutiques and authorized dealers can check a serial number and a service record. Watchmakers can measure beat rate and inspect the movement and cabochon. Auction archives list past Pasha sales with photographs and condition notes.