A fake Cartier Baignoire 2717 in gold is a replica of Cartier's oval "bathtub" dress watch, and it almost never uses real 18k gold. Genuine reference 2717 examples are solid 18k yellow gold with a signed silvered dial, French or Swiss hallmarks, a sapphire cabochon crown and a quartz Cartier-signed movement. Replicas copy the silhouette but hide gold plating over steel, printed dial text, generic quartz movements and missing hallmarks.
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What is the Cartier Baignoire 2717?
The Baignoire is Cartier's elongated oval watch, a shape that traces back to 1912 and received the Baignoire name in 1973. Reference 2717 is commonly listed on small-model Baignoire watches in 18k yellow gold with a quartz movement, produced across the 1990s and 2000s.
Typical features include Roman numerals, blued-steel sword hands, a silvered opaline dial and a gold case with a rounded bezel. Some examples sit on a leather strap, others on a gold bracelet with a hidden folding clasp.
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How do you tell a fake gold Baignoire 2717 from a real one?
Start with weight and metal, then work inward to hallmarks, dial printing and the crown. Almost every replica fails at least two of these checks.
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Case metal and weight
Solid 18k gold feels dense and slightly warm on the wrist. A gold-plated steel replica feels lighter and colder, and the plating wears thin at the lugs and caseback edges, revealing a grey tone underneath.
Hallmarks and caseback engraving
Genuine cases carry crisp stamps such as 750, the 18k eagle's head for French-made cases, or Swiss hallmarks, plus a reference and serial number aligned with the caseband. Replica engraving is shallow, laser-etched and often misaligned or spelled with inconsistent fonts.
Dial printing and hands
Authentic Cartier dial text is fine, raised and perfectly spaced, with the secret signature hidden inside the VII numeral on many models. Fakes show flat pad-printed lettering, thick numerals, and blue hands that are painted rather than heat-blued.
Crown and sapphire cabochon
The crown should be gold or gold-capped with a smooth, dome-shaped blue sapphire cabochon set in a neat bezel. Replicas use glass or dyed synthetic stone with a flat top, glue residue, or a cabochon that sits proud of the crown.
Movement, caseback screws and strap
Open the caseback and look for a Cartier-signed quartz calibre and clean finishing. Replicas usually house an unbranded Swiss or Japanese quartz blank, and their caseback screws are soft, uneven or the wrong thread. On gold bracelets, check that links flex evenly and that the clasp is signed and correctly stamped.
What does "1:1 super clone" mean for a gold Baignoire?
"1:1 super clone" is marketing language meaning a replica copies dimensions and exterior details closely. It does not mean the watch uses solid gold, a Cartier movement, or genuine sapphire, and it does not make the watch authentic.
Clones of precious-metal watches are the hardest category to fake convincingly because the metal itself is the cost. That is why most gold Baignoire replicas are plated steel with gold-tone coating measured in microns.
Gold plating versus solid 18k gold: the biggest giveaway
- Plating thickness is usually 3 to 10 microns, so wear appears within months on a daily-worn watch.
- Real gold cases are stamped 750 or 18K and match the hallmark on the clasp.
- A jeweller's acid test or X-ray fluorescence test settles the question in minutes.
- Magnetic attraction at the caseback points to a steel core under the plating.
Is it legal to buy a fake Cartier watch in the US?
Selling counterfeit trademarked goods is illegal in the United States, and shipments of fake watches can be seized by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Buyers also receive no warranty, no service support and no recourse if the watch fails or the metal is misrepresented.
Because gold content is rarely what the listing claims, a "gold" replica often turns out to be plated brass or steel. That makes the purchase a misrepresentation risk on top of the trademark issue.
Frequently asked questions
Does a fake Baignoire 2717 use real gold?
Almost never. Replicas use gold-plated steel or brass, and the plating is thin enough to wear through at the lugs, crown and caseback edges.
How much does a genuine gold Baignoire cost?
New gold Baignoire models retail well above 10,000 US dollars, while pre-owned reference 2717 examples trade in the mid four to low five figures depending on condition, box and papers.
Can a jeweller confirm the gold content?
Yes. An X-ray fluorescence scan or acid test on an inconspicuous spot gives a reliable reading of gold purity without damaging the case.
Do all Baignoire 2717 watches have quartz movements?
Most small gold examples are quartz, but Cartier also produced mechanical Baignoire variants. Always verify the calibre signature and the service history before buying.