Short answer
A Cartier Santos 100 replica is a counterfeit copy of a watch Cartier sold from 2004 to 2018. US sellers list them between $150 and $500. Import into the United States is barred by trademark law. Customs and Border Protection can seize the parcel and destroy it.
What the original is
Cartier released the Santos 100 in 2004, 100 years after the Santos made for Alberto Santos-Dumont in 1904. The line ended in 2018 and gave way to the Santos de Cartier.
The Ultimate Guide to Cartier Santos 100 Replica 100
Case sizes:
cartier santos 100 replica en us
- Medium: about 33 mm wide, 44 mm lug to lug
- Large: about 38 mm wide, 51 mm lug to lug
- XL chronograph: about 42 mm wide, 55 mm lug to lug
The large steel automatic used Cartier caliber 049, based on the ETA 2892-A2. Beat rate 28,800 vph. Power reserve about 42 hours. The chronograph used caliber 8630, based on the ETA 2894-2. Water resistance rating was 100 m. The bezel holds 8 screws. The crown carries a faceted synthetic spinel cabochon.
How replica grades are named
Sellers use "first copy", "1:1" and "AAA" as marketing labels. These words carry no standard. Two sellers can label the same watch with different words. Judge a watch by parts, not labels.
Tiers seen in the US market:
- $60 to $120: quartz or DG2813 automatic, stamped caseback, mineral glass, plated cabochon.
- $150 to $250: Asian 2824 clone, sapphire glass, engraved caseback, steel bracelet with folded clasps.
- $300 to $500: Seagull ST2130 or Miyota 9015, closer case dimensions, dial font close to the original, cabochon set in a metal collet.
Parts that decide quality
Movement
Check the movement name and beat rate before the word "grade". A Miyota 9015 runs at 28,800 vph. A DG2813 runs at 21,600 vph, and the hand sweep shows steps on camera.
Case and bezel
Measure the case. A 41 mm "Santos 100" matches no original size. Check the 8 bezel screws. Heads should sit flush. Slots that sit crooked or proud point to a low tier case.
Cabochon
The original uses a faceted blue spinel. Copies use glass, plastic, or a flat disc. Check the seat. A glued cabochon falls out.
Dial and hands
Check the Roman numerals and the printed "CARTIER" and "SWISS MADE". Thin gray print and wrong numeral shapes are common faults.
Caseback
Engraving depth and spelling vary. The large steel automatic carried reference codes such as W20073X8. Serial numbers on copies repeat across batches.
Sizing and fit
The Santos 100 is a square case with curved lugs. A large model sits about 51 mm lug to lug, so it wears wider than a round watch of the same width. A wrist under 6.5 inches suits the medium. Bracelet links on copies often use push pins instead of screws. Ask for the link tool and extra links.
Price and payment risk
US buyers pay $150 to $500 for the tiers above. Sellers outside the US ask for wire, crypto, or payment apps. Chargebacks are rare. Parcels get seized, and most sellers do not refund a seizure.
Legal position in the US
Counterfeit goods violate the Lanham Act. Import is barred by 19 U.S.C. § 1526 and 15 U.S.C. § 1124. CBP may seize and destroy the item. Trafficking carries up to 10 years in prison and a $2,000,000 fine for a first offense under 18 U.S.C. § 2320. Buying one copy for personal use is a lower risk than resale, but the watch can still be taken and the buyer gets no compensation.
Checks on delivery
- Time it for 24 hours against a phone clock. Note the gain or loss.
- Check all 8 bezel screws and the crown cabochon.
- Test water resistance at a watchmaker, not with a sink.
- Compare case width and lug to lug to the numbers above.
Servicing is a problem. Most US watchmakers will not touch a counterfeit, and parts for the clone movements come from the same sellers.