Is Your Panthère de Cartier Watch Real or Fake?
A quality watch is more than just a timepiece, it is an investment. Many watches hold their value and even increase in value over time, becoming precious heirlooms in your family. The Panthère de Cartier watch is one such timepiece. Launched in 1983, this simple, sophisticated watch has adorned the wrists of the most fashionable people in history from Princess Diana to Zendaya. If you buy one, ensure it’s real, as only an authentic watch will hold its value.
History of Cartier
Cartier was founded in Paris in 1847 and was operated by the family for over a century. Louis Cartier designed the first wristwatch in 1904 for a friend, Alberto Santos-Dumont who was an aviator. The unique design with a leather wrist strap allowed Santos-Dumont to fly without worrying about losing his pocket watch.
Since that first simple wristwatch, Cartier has introduced multiple popular timepieces designed with the same quality and elegance as its jewelry.
The Panthère de Cartier
Cartier’s Panthère is considered one of the first jewelry watches. Its original 1983 design featured a chunky gold bracelet strap. The flexible chain made the watch look more like a bracelet so people could easily pair it with evening wear and other jewelry.
The watch has transformed over the years, but still essentially features the same iconic design that made it famous. A gold, white gold or rose gold chain wristband attaches to a square watch face with rounded corners.
Newer versions are daintier than early models, easily pairing with tennis bracelets, rings and other jewelry. The simplistic design makes this watch versatile. You can easily wear it every day with casual outfits or dress it up for a big night out.
How to Spot a Real Panthère de Cartier
Since this watch is a style icon, there are plenty of fakes circulating. Here is what to look for when distinguishing a real watch from a fake one.
Check the Weight
You don’t have to put your new watch on the scale to know it’s real, but you will notice that an authentic watch feels heavier. A real Panthère de Cartier is made of high-quality materials such as steel or precious metals.
Authentic Cartier watches have sapphire crystal glass over the face, which contributes to the watch’s weight. A fake watch will be lighter and more prone to damage. A genuine watch will also have a clear face with numbers that are crisp and easy to read. Fake watches often feature faces that are slightly cloudy and glare in the light.
Check out the Case
If you’ve ever seen a Cartier Love Bracelet, you are familiar with the iconic Cartier screw. Cartier pieces are tightly fastened to minimize wear and tear, and that is also true of watches. Check out the case that houses your Panthère de Cartier’s face. A real one is held together with small flathead screws. If the screws feature a star or crisscross pattern, your watch is likely faux.
While you’re inspecting the case, look at the watch’s winder. Cartier watches feature a signature blue sapphire securely fastened to the winder. Fake watches have this stone as well, but it is typically glued on or may be missing entirely.
Finally, turn over the case. Each authentic Panthère de Cartier watch has the logo engraved on the back with the words “Swiss Made” and “Water Resistant” alongside a serial number. Real Cartier pieces are engraved with precision. Every letter in the logo and the following text will align in a straight line. The wording is crisp and clear so you can easily read it.
If the engraving is shaky or the letters appear to be uneven, you’re probably looking at a fake watch.
Turn out the Lights
Newer Cartier watches feature LumiNova technology. This luminescent material makes the watch glow in the dark so you can read it. Counterfeiters have tried to copy this technology, but few have fully replicated it. A fake Panthère de Cartier may glow in the dark, but it will be faint, and you won’t be able to read the watch as easily.
Evaluate the Packaging
Not all resale watches will come with the original packaging, but it’s worth hanging onto the box to protect your investment. A genuine watch box from Cartier will not have the logo stamped on the outside. Instead, the logo will be written in gold on the box’s interior.
Most watches come in white boxes with a watch pillow and white satin lining. Authentic boxes also have black satin at times, so don’t automatically assume the worst if your box isn’t white. Like everything else in the Cartier collection, its jewelry boxes are well-crafted and durable. If your box is lightweight or features multiple scuffs and dings, the watch inside may not be genuine.
Validate the Serial Number
A real Panthère de Cartier will have a serial number engraved into the back. It may also have a copyright and a certificate of authenticity. If you get a new Cartier watch, take it to a jeweler and ask them to look up the serial number so you know you’re wearing the real thing.
Trust TheRealReal
Cartier has spent over 150 years perfecting the art of jewelry. From its first wristwatch in 1904, the jeweler has become known for stylish, high-quality pieces that integrate into your wardrobe. The Panthère de Cartier watch is not just a timepiece, it is a quality piece of jewelry that will last for generations with proper care. So it’s not surprising that these watches will set you back a pretty penny depending on the metal you choose.
You can find authentic Panthère de Cartier watches at TheRealReal. We follow a proven authentication process so you know each watch is genuine. If you want to add a classic staple you can wear forever even as your style changes, invest in a resale Panthère de Cartier.
See more about how we authenticate resale watches and check out our collection of Panthère de Cartier watches.
