PICKING THE RIGHT WATCH
There are hundreds of Cartier watches to choose from and the choice is based purely on your personal style and budget. Cartier is a luxury Swiss watch brand with hundreds of years of history behind it. The brand is synonymous with class, elegance, and exquisite designs. Cartier watches are highly collectable, thought after, pieces of functional art.
Whether this is your first and last Cartier watch or a potential start to a new collection, below are a few things that you might want to consider before you invest in your first Cartier:
Buying Pre-owned
Purchasing a pre-owned Cartier is a great way to save a lot of money and avoid the dreaded initial depreciation of your watch. However, the cheaper prices usually come with their own unique set of challenges. For instance, pre-owned Cartier watch market is full of fake and improperly restored watches that are being passed on as the real thing for the top dollar price. They may look good and shiny, but they are worthless. In order to avoid falling prey to the cunning counterfeiters, follow these three steps:
1.Find a Reputable Retailer. Finding a reputable retailer will insure that you are getting the real watch for the best possible price. A professional and reputable retailer understands the intricate process of purchasing a luxury watch and will be able to answer all of your questions and address all of your concerns regarding your watch purchase.
2.Always ask for paperwork and maintenance records: Just having the right model number is no longer sufficient for a Cartier watch. If you are buying from a private seller, ask for records of maintenance, registration paperwork, and any other papers that can speak to the authenticity of the watch. However, do not rely blindly of the papers. Always get the watch looked at by a professional watchmaker.
3.Cheap isn’t always good. You know that old saying “if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”? Surprisingly good deals should be a red flag. Luxury watches are not cheap. It is not just the brand name that you are paying for, in many cases you are paying for precious metals and gemstones as well. The price for a Cartier watch should be in the thousands, not in the hundreds.
Buying Vintage
Investing in a vintage Cartier watch can be extremely rewarding. Vintage Cartier models are more expansive and have a better value retention if properly maintained. If you are looking for a timepiece that will set you apart from everyone else, a vintage Cartier is a watch for you. It might take you longer to research and find the watch that you are looking for, but trust me when I say this, a wearing a vintage Cartier on your wrist is a feeling like no other.
FIND A REPUTABLE DEALER
As mentioned previously, finding a reputable dealer is just as important as finding the right Cartier watch. The right dealer understands how complex the process of purchasing a Cartier timepiece can be for the customer and will never apply any unnecessary pressure or attempt to rush the process. A reputable dealer is certified, insured, polite, and knowledgeable in the field of watchmaking. If you ever feel uncomfortable or pressured while making your decision, you need to find another retailer.
A reputable Cartier retailer understands that their customer’s time is just as valuable as their own and should be able to guide you through the process of purchasing a luxury timepiece, answer all of your questions, and address any concerns that you might have. Usually a professional, trustworthy retailer will offer a grace period during which a customer is allowed to bring the watch back for a full refund. At Ermitage Jewelers we understand the importance of your investment and offer a 10 day money back guarantee and a one year limited warranty with a purchase of any one of our Cartier watches.
BEWARE OF REPLICA WATCHES
If you are shopping in a pawn shop or are purchasing from a non-licensed third party, beware of faux watches. Cartier watches are highly desirable, luxury items and tend to be counterfeit quite often.
Over the last few years counterfeiters developed new technologies that make it almost impossible to distinguish replica Cartier watches from the authentic Cartier timepiece. We highly recommend that you get a professional watchmaker to inspect any watch that you are planning on purchasing. The list below will help you weed out some of the most obvious fakes:
Misspellings
Check for misspelled words, bad grammar, and transposed letters. Any mistake or misspelling is a dead giveaway of a fake watch.
Weight
Cartier watches are made with top quality, precious metals which are heavy. If the watch feels light, it is likely made out of cheap metal.
Crystal
Most Cartier watches have a lab made sapphire crystal. Sapphire crystal is extremely durable and colorless. Pay special attention to the area where the watch crystal meets the bezel. If you see uneven, jagged edges, discoloration, or any hint of color – the watch is likely fake.
Crown
A genuine Cartier watch winding crown will be set with a natural cabochon sapphire. If the stone is missing, has a different cut, or appears to be glued in not set, the watch is a replica. Remember, this only applies to those Cartier models that feature the sapphire. There are some current models that have smooth, metal crowns.
Model Number
Correct model numbers and markings do not always guarantee authenticity of a Cartier watch. Your best bet is to take the watch to a reputable watchmaker or a Cartier store to check if the timepiece have been registered and has the correct movement and parts.
Logo
An authentic Cartier watch will have the logo on the dial, bracelet, and on the buckle. Watch for jagged edges, improper white space, and sloppy application. The “C”s in the logo should be located in the dead center of the ellipse.
CONDITION IS KEY
When it comes to a Cartier watch, condition is key. If you are buying a vintage or a pre-owned Cartier timepiece, the closer it is to perfection, the better. Ultimately, you want to find a watch with the lowest possible price tag in the best possible condition.
Make sure that the watch was repaired with genuine Cartier parts.
Make sure that the watch looks its age or better. That means that if the watch is only a few years old, it shouldn’t look like it had been through a woodchipper.
If purchasing a vintage piece ask for the repair and maintenance history.
Always pay attention to scratches and marks. The perfect watch should not have any marks that can’t be polished out.
Pay attention to the dial and bracelet condition. The dial shouldn’t have any water stains or appear faded. The bracelet shouldn’t have any deep scratches or gouges. The links on the bracelet should be tight and snug.
INSURE IT
Getting insurance for your Cartier watch is one of the smartest things that you can do. Insuring the watch against theft, damage, or loss will save you money in the long run and although you may not be able to replace the emotional investment you made into your perfect Cartier, you will at least be able to replace it with a comparable timepiece.