A fake Cartier Tank Louis Cartier copy fails on four checks: case metal and hallmarks, crown cabochon, dial printing, and movement type. Check the movement first. A genuine Tank Louis Cartier is manual winding. It does not tick.
Start with the movement
The Tank Louis Cartier uses the Cartier 1917 MC movement. It is manual winding. The caseback is solid, so you cannot see the movement through the back. Ask for a video of the seconds hand. A quartz copy jumps once per second. A manual-wind watch sweeps. If the seller lists a battery or quartz movement, the watch is not a Tank Louis Cartier.
Measure the case
Cartier lists two common Tank Louis Cartier sizes. The large case measures 33.7 mm by 25.5 mm. The small case measures 29.5 mm by 22 mm. Thickness is about 6.6 mm on the large model. A copy that uses a 30 mm by 24 mm case or a thick case will not match the profile. The case should be 18k gold, not gold plate. Look for the 750 stamp and Swiss hallmarks on the caseback and lugs.
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Check the crown cabochon
The crown has a faceted sapphire cabochon. It sits in a gold crown. A copy often uses blue glass or plastic. Glass shows bubbles. Plastic scratches. The cabochon should be deep blue and clear. The crown should turn with light force and wind the movement.
Fake Cartier Tank Louis Cartier Counterfeit: Guide to Identify Genuine Watches Online
Read the dial
The dial is silvered opaline. Roman numerals are printed in black. The hands are blued steel swords. The word CARTIER sits inside the VII numeral on many references. Swiss Made sits at 6 o'clock. Check the spacing of the numerals. Check the minute track. Copies often print thick numerals or place the secret signature in the wrong spot.
Inspect the caseback and papers
The caseback carries reference numbers, a serial number, and gold hallmarks. The engraving is crisp and shallow. A copy may use laser etching that looks dark or rough. Boxes and papers do not prove a watch is genuine. Copies ship with boxes. Use the case, dial, crown, and movement as checks.
What photos cannot show
A photo can hide case weight, crown feel, and winding action. Ask for a short video that shows the crown turning and the hands setting. Ask for a macro photo of the hallmarks and the cabochon. If the seller cannot provide these, stop. A genuine Tank Louis Cartier is a gold manual-wind watch. A copy can match the outline. It does not match the metal, the crown, and the movement.