Quick answer
The Santos de Cartier 2018 is a square-case watch that Cartier presented at SIHH in Geneva in January 2018. It replaced the Santos 100 line. Replica versions exist on forums and message boards. In the United States, importing or selling a counterfeit Cartier watch is illegal. 18 U.S.C. 2320 covers trafficking. The Lanham Act covers civil suits. A shipment can be seized at the border.
The genuine 2018 Santos de Cartier
Cartier shipped two sizes. The large model measures 39.8 mm by 47.5 mm and 9.08 mm thick. The medium model measures 35.1 mm by 41.9 mm. Both use a curved case that follows the wrist.
- Caliber 1847 MC. Automatic. In-house. 23 jewels. 42-hour power reserve. 28,800 vibrations per hour.
- QuickSwitch: a spring bar that releases a strap or bracelet with a fingertip. No tools.
- SmartLink: bracelet links that unscrew by hand. No screwdriver.
- Sapphire crystal. 100 m water resistance.
- Steel, steel and rose gold, and rose gold cases. White, blue, and black dials.
Reference numbers change with case metal, size, and dial color. Cartier lists the full set on its own site. I cannot give one number for every version.
What shows up in a replica
Replica ads quote three claims: "1:1," "Swiss movement," and "same factory." The claims are sales copy. Most copies run a third-party automatic movement, often a Miyota or a Chinese caliber, not the 1847 MC. Cheap versions use gold-plated steel in place of solid gold. A square case with exposed screws is easier to copy than a round case, so a photo can look close at arm's length. Weight, crown action, and dial printing are the three places copies show gaps.
Cartier publishes no public authentication service for buyers. A boutique can assess a watch during a service estimate. Papers and box add value on the used market. Serial numbers on copies are copied from real watches, so a matching number proves nothing.
Legal status in the United States
18 U.S.C. 2320 sets a penalty of up to 10 years in prison for a first trafficking offense. The Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. 1114, lets Cartier and its parent, Richemont, sue sellers for damages and profits. US Customs and Border Protection can seize and destroy shipments. In fiscal year 2023, CBP reported about 19,700 intellectual property seizures with an estimated manufacturer's suggested retail price of $2.7 billion. Watches and jewelry ranked among the top seized categories.
Price
Cartier no longer publishes 2018 retail prices. Resale listings for a used steel large model sit in the thousands of US dollars, with box and papers at the top of the range. Replica ads quote $200 to $600. The gap covers movement, metal, warranty, and service.