While the exact stamping for authentic Cartier jewelry can vary, modern jewelry will be stamped with Cartier’s logo, the jewelry’s metal type and a unique serial number. Cartier’s logo is always printed in their signature script, any other fonts or misspellings is a sign of counterfeits. Cartier is one of the most prolific jewelry companies with the “Love” series being their most sought after along with the Santos watch. The Love Bangle and watch are probably the most replicated and the guides below will show you not only how to authenticate.
The Cartier Ballon Bleu watch is a modern icon, beloved by Cartier fans and celebrities like Kate Middelton and Johnny Depp. We explore the brief history of this instant fan-favorite watch and share five pointers on how to spot a fake Ballon Bleu de Cartier.
The Short History of the Ballon Bleu de Cartier Watch
The elegant aesthetic of the Cartier Ballon Bleu watch belies how new the model is for the 170-year-old Cartier brand. The Ballon Bleu de Cartier was just introduced in 2007 and, with is polished sensibility and widespread popularity, is poised to be a classic on par with the Cartier Tank Watch.
Cartier Serial Number Authentication
The Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch has a distinctive and distinguishing rounded shape. The bold Roman numerals and mother-of-pearl dial build upon the watch’s sophisticated appeal. And the Ballon Bleu de Cartier’s signature feature is the sapphire cabochon crown which is housed by the integrated crown.
- Cartier does not authenticate pieces purchased on ebay or from estate sales. PeacefulMommy Member. If jewelry is anything like bags, then I don't.
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How to Spot a Fake Cartier Ballon Bleu Watch
For all its wonderful simplicity, the Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch is incredibly difficult for counterfeiters to convincingly replicate. To protect yourself from a forged Cartier Ballon bleu watch, look out for these key hallmarks of Cartier’s high-quality craftsmanship:
1. Screws in the Bracelet
The metal links of the Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch bracelet will always be held together by screws—never pins. Forged watches use cheap pins and tubes to secure the bracelet. You should be able to see the screw’s slot drive, the straight groove on the screw’s flat head used to tighten the screw. If the bracelet screw does not have a drive, the Cartier Ballon Bleu watch in question is a fake.
2. Screws in the Case Back
Like the bracelet, the Cartier Ballon Bleu case back is held in place with small screws. However, forgers use inexpensive snap case backs that can be pressed closed without screws.
Cartier Serial Number Jewelry Authentication Online
3. An Engraved Cartier Signature
The watch case back should also be engraved with Cartier’s name, the serial number, case material and number. The engraving should be clean and crisp.
4. An Ornate Dial
One of the most notable design features of the Ballon Bleu de Cartier watch is its beautifully detailed dial. Cartier artisans painstakingly engrave every non-mother-of-pearl Ballon Bleu dial with an elaborate and ornamental circular pattern known as guilloche. Cartier Ballon Bleu forgers may try to replicate this intricate guilloche motif, but, because it requires an expert hand to perfectly execute the design, the lines will not be clean, parallel or exact. More often than not, faux Ballon Bleu de Cartier watches won’t even include the guilloche print and the dial will be left blank.
5. The Swiss Made Stamp
Just below the 6 o’clock marker, the Cartier Ballon Bleu watch is stamped with a minuscule “Swiss Made.” This incredibly small detail is frequently overlooked by counterfeiters and omitted from imposter Ballon Bleu de Cartier watches.
Here are five ways to determine if your Cartier Love Bracelet is real—or just a really good fake.
1. Closely read the hallmarks and logos.
Every Cartier Love bracelet is stamped with a “hallmark” that indicates the metal quality. Love Bracelets made out of 18K gold are stamped with 18K, 750 or sometimes both numbers. Platinum Love Bracelets, meanwhile, are marked with the numerals 950. If those hallmarks are not impressed on your bracelet, it’s definitely a warning sign.
Cartier Serial Number Verification
And double-check the spelling and typography of the Cartier logo. It the brand name is misspelled or not in the iconic cursive font, your bracelet is—sorry to say—a forgery.
2. Feel its weight and evaluate its quality.
Across its entire collection, Cartier uses only high-quality and durable gold and platinum metals. In turn, an immediate giveaway is the weight of the bracelet. Depending on their size and metal, a Cartier Love Bracelet should weigh between 30 and 38 grams (roughly the equivalent of five to six US quarter coins). Fake bracelets oftentimes are comparatively much lighter than authentic Love Bracelets.
Also areas of discoloration or chipping metal—even more so if there is another color underneath it—are indicators that the piece is not genuine.
Cartier is also very meticulous with their quality control. Therefore, the screws of the Love Bracelet should always be in perfect alignment.
Cartier Serial Number Database
3. Price compare.
Brand new standard yellow gold Cartier Love Bracelets retail for $6,300 USD and, because they are highly coveted and made of the finest materials by skilled craftsmen, they do not significantly depreciate in value. So keep that $6,300 figure in mind as you price compare; the quoted resale price should not waver too far from the original ticket price. So if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Cartier Serial Number Jewelry Authentication Guide
But one notable outlier here is the Charles Revson Love Bracelet. In the 1970s, Cartier partnered with Charles Revson, founder of Revlon Cosmetics, to release a special edition Love Bracelet. Stamped with “Charles Revson” on the inside, this iteration was a less expensive version of the original. To keep costs low, the Revson Love Bracelets were electroplated and unscrewed only on one side.
Cartier Jewelry Serial Number Lookup
These vintage Revson Love Bracelets are in circulation but should be advertised and priced accordingly. Some vendors may not disclose that you are looking at a Revson Love Bracelet and tag it as simply a Love Bracelet and pricing it as if it was a solid Love Bracelet. So beware if the price of the Love Bracelet you’re eyeing seems unusually inexpensive.
4. Verify the seller’s reputation.
Scrutinize the seller’s website and research any customer reviews that can provide insight into the seller’s legitimacy. Be wary of sellers who do not list where they’re headquartered or do not indicate where their product is being shipped from.
Cartier Watch Serial Number Check
5. Get an official appraisal.
After you receive your Cartier Love Bracelet—even if you’re confident it’s 100% authentic—you should have it independently appraised as proof positive you’re in possession of the real thing. If you have further questions regarding TrueFacet’s authentication process, contact our concierge representative here.