Answer

Fake Cle de Cartier yellow gold watches are replicas of the Cartier Cle de Cartier model. The genuine watch uses 18k yellow gold. The fake uses gold plating or lower-karat gold. Fake versions sell for $200 to $800. Genuine versions sell for $15,000 to $40,000.

Materials

The case on a fake Cle de Cartier yellow gold watch is brass or stainless steel. A layer of gold sits on top. That layer measures 2 to 5 microns. It wears off in 6 to 24 months. The genuine case is solid 18k yellow gold. It does not wear off.

Movement

Fake Cle de Cartier yellow gold watches use quartz movements or Chinese clone automatic movements. A clone of the Cartier 1847 MC movement has 23 jewels. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour. The genuine 1847 MC has 23 jewels and a 40-hour power reserve. A fake often has a 36-hour power reserve. Some fakes use a Miyota 9015. That is a Japanese movement. It is reliable but not Swiss.

Weight and size

A genuine Cle de Cartier yellow gold watch in 35mm weighs about 120 grams. A fake with gold plating weighs about 80 grams. The fake feels light. The case back on a fake has shallow engraving. The genuine case back has deep engraving. The fake crown has a blue spinel that is glass. The genuine crown has a blue sapphire or spinel. The fake crystal is mineral glass. The genuine crystal is sapphire.

Price

Fake Cle de Cartier yellow gold watches sell on replica sites for $250 to $700. Some sell for $1,200 if they claim to be 'Swiss made'. That label means little on a fake. A genuine Cle de Cartier in yellow gold starts at $15,000. A two-tone model starts at $9,000. A steel model starts at $6,000.

Legal status

In the United States, selling a fake watch as genuine is illegal. The FTC says such sales violate the FTC Act. U.S. Customs and Border Protection seizes counterfeit watches. A buyer can face seizure of the item. A seller can face fines and jail. Cartier owns the trademark. Cartier can sue sellers.

How to spot a fake

Check the weight. A fake is 30 to 40 grams lighter. Check the case back. A fake has shallow text. Check the crown. A fake spinel is glass and scratches. Check the movement. A fake has a quartz tick. A genuine automatic sweeps. Check the price. A new yellow gold Cle for $500 is fake. Check the papers. A genuine watch has a Cartier certificate. A fake has a copy. Check the serial number. Cartier can verify it.