The Baignoire 2717 watch replica by Cartier copies an oval dress watch, and the good copies get three details right: the curved case profile, the Roman numeral print, and the blue cabochon in the crown. Plan on $150 to $400 for a version you can wear with confidence, and inspect the case curve before anything else, because that is where cheap copies fail first.
What Makes the Baignoire 2717 Different From Other Cartier Models?
The Baignoire takes its name from the French word for bathtub, and the case shape explains the joke. It is an elongated oval with a curve that follows the wrist, not a flat slab with rounded corners.
Reference 2717 sits inside that family. It carries a small oval case, a light dial, black Roman numerals, and sword-shaped hands. Cartier fits it with a thin bezel and short lugs that blend into the case.
Most references in this line run on quartz. That detail matters for replica buyers, since a quartz copy can keep the thin case profile that a budget automatic cannot.
What Should You Check on a Baignoire 2717 Replica?
Case Shape and Curve
Ask for side-profile photos, not just a straight-on shot. The underside should curve so the case hugs the wrist. Flat-backed copies sit high and look wrong on the arm.
Look at the lugs as well. Cartier uses short, thin lugs that flow into the case. Square or thick lugs point to a generic case blank.
Dial, Numerals, and Hands
- Numeral font: Cartier Roman numerals carry a distinct weight and spacing. Blurry or bold print is a red flag.
- Minute track: hash marks should be even and thin, not dotted blobs.
- Hands: sword-shaped with a clean line down the middle. Bent or stubby hands read as cheap.
- Text placement: the brand name sits under the 12 and the model text sits above the 6. Crooked print shows up on low-tier copies.
Crown and Cabochon
The crown should be small and fluted, with a blue cabochon set into the end. Synthetic blue glass reads fine at arm's length. A plastic-looking bead does not.
Caseback and Movement
Most copies use a snap-on steel back with engraved text. Ask for a movement photo before you pay. A quartz copy runs thin and silent; a budget automatic adds thickness and noise.
Which Size Should You Pick?
Baignoire cases measure between about 22mm and 32mm across the widest point, and the oval shape wears bigger than the number suggests. On a wrist under 6.5 inches, stay near the small end.
For a longer, more architectural look, the Baignoire Allongée stretches the oval and suits larger wrists. Measure before you order, since strap length matters as much as case size.
Quartz, Automatic, or a "Swiss" Label?
Quartz is the honest choice here. The genuine references most buyers know are quartz, so a quartz replica keeps the case thin, the price low, and service easy.
Automatic copies exist and cost more, but they add bulk to a watch that should stay thin. A "Swiss made" stamp on a $200 replica is a price tag, not a spec sheet.
What Does a Baignoire 2717 Replica Cost?
- Under $100: generic case, flat-looking dial print, poor crown detail. High risk.
- $150 to $250: better case curve, cleaner print, a cabochon that passes at arm's length.
- $300 to $500: thin quartz or a slim automatic, sharper dial work, a strap worth keeping.
- Above $500: you are paying for a name, not a jump in quality.
How Do You Vet a Seller?
Photos, a video, and a written return window tell you more than any product page. Run through this list before you send money.
- Ask for a ten-second video in daylight. Static photos hide dial print and polish issues.
- Get the return window in writing. Seven days or more is reasonable.
- Ask which movement sits inside and whether the caseback opens with a standard tool.
- Confirm the seller shows the actual watch, not a stock photo of a genuine Cartier.
Strap and Bracelet Options
A thin leather strap in black, dark brown, or navy suits this watch. Glossy alligator-pattern leather reads as dressy; matte calfskin works for daily wear.
Steel bracelets are the weak point on replicas. Clasps rattle and end links seldom sit flush. If you want a bracelet look, buy the strap version and add a third-party band later.
How Do You Care for It?
Wipe the case with a soft cloth after wear and keep the watch away from perfume and chlorine. Both attack plating and leather over time.
Skip swimming. Replica cases seldom seal to the depth printed on the back, and water damage is on you.
Quartz models need a new battery every two to three years. Have a shop swap it so the caseback gasket seats again.
Common Questions
Is a Baignoire 2717 replica worth buying?
It depends on the goal. If you want the oval silhouette for occasional dress wear, a $200 quartz copy delivers the look. If you want something to resell or pass down, save for the real watch.
Can a jeweler tell it from the real thing?
Yes, under a loupe. Engraving depth, cabochon material, and dial print give it away on close inspection. From across a table, a good copy passes.
Will it hold value?
No. A replica loses most of its value the day you buy it. Treat the money as spent on wear.
Is buying one legal?
Counterfeit watches are illegal to import and sell in the US. A replica carries no Cartier warranty, no service history, and no resale value, so weigh that before you buy.