Short answer

A fake Pasha Cartier 2020 is a replica of the Pasha de Cartier line that Cartier relaunched in 2020 in 41mm and 35mm cases. Replicas of that generation copy the cushion case, the hinged crown cap with its small chain, the blue cabochon on the cap, and the quick-release strap system. Quality splits into three rough tiers: mineral-glass budget builds under about $150, mid-tier builds with a Swiss or Japanese automatic and sapphire glass, and top-tier builds that use a Sellita or ETA base and match the case dimensions within a fraction of a millimeter. Judge the watch on measurements, not on photos from a listing.

What you need

  • A 10x loupe
  • Calipers or a digital ruler
  • A kitchen scale with gram accuracy
  • Reference images of the genuine 2020 model you are comparing

The check procedure

  1. Confirm which size you are holding. The 2020 Pasha came in 41mm and 35mm cases for the automatic versions, plus smaller quartz references. Measure across the cushion case at its widest point, crown cap excluded.
  2. Measure the thickness. The 41mm automatic sits just under 10mm. A replica that reads 11mm or more will sit high on the wrist and will not take genuine straps that fit flush.
  3. Open and close the crown cap. It should hinge down over the crown and snap shut with a firm spring. The chain should articulate link by link and attach at the lug. On cheap replicas the chain is a solid cast piece or the cap flops open on its own.
  4. Inspect the cabochon on the crown cap. It should be a domed blue stone set level with the metal. A flat, cloudy, or glued-in stone is the first sign of a low-tier build.
  5. Study the dial under the loupe. Check the four Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9, the railway minute track, and the printed model name and movement text. Edges should be sharp with no bleed into the dial finish.
  6. Check the date aperture if the watch has one. The window edges should be straight, the date centered, and the cut clean against the dial. Crooked or oversized windows are common on budget replicas.
  7. Turn the watch over. Read the caseback engraving for depth and font weight. On display-back versions, look at the rotor and the base plate finish. A rough rotor edge or a plain, unsigned oscillating weight points to a generic clone movement.
  8. Test the strap release. The 2020 Pasha uses a quick-release system at the lugs. If the strap is held by a plain pin bar, genuine Cartier straps will not fit and the aftermarket supply for that watch is dead.
  9. Work the bracelet and clasp. Check the brushed and polished transitions on the links, listen for rattle, and read the clasp engraving. Loose links and shallow stamps show up on the wrist in the first week.
  10. Weigh the watch. Compare the figure against the metal content you were promised. A steel 41mm Pasha on a bracelet should feel dense. A light, hollow case usually means thin plating or a base-metal core under the finish.

Movement options in replicas

Most 2020 Pasha replicas run one of four movements: an Asian clone of the ETA 2824, a genuine Sellita SW200, a Swiss ETA 2824, or a quartz module in the smaller sizes. Chronograph replicas often use an A7750-based movement rather than Cartier's in-house chronograph caliber, which changes the subdial spacing and the pusher feel. Ask the seller which movement is fitted and get it in writing. A Swiss automatic adds roughly $150 to $300 over the clone at the same case quality.

Water resistance and plating

Treat any replica as splash-resistant only. Case seals on replica builds are not pressure tested, so do not swim with one unless a watchmaker has tested it. Gold plating wears through at the crown cap, the clasp, and the caseback edges first. Solid gold replicas exist but are rare, and the price should reflect the metal weight.

Price signals

Under about $150 gets you mineral glass, a plated case, and a rough chain. From roughly $350 to $700 you should expect sapphire glass, 316L steel, and a reliable automatic. Above that, you are paying for case accuracy and movement quality. Anyone selling a fake Pasha Cartier 2020 as a genuine watch is committing a separate offense from selling a replica, and US law treats counterfeit goods sold as authentic as illegal.