A "cloned Cartier Astrotourbillon 1701" is a replica of the Cartier Astrotourbillon, and "1701" is a seller or factory batch code rather than an official Cartier reference number. Cartier has never published a reference ending in 1701 for this model, so the number tells you which replica batch a listing came from, not which genuine watch it copies. Buyers who understand that distinction can judge a listing on the watch itself instead of on a made-up model code.
Top Best Guide to Finding Duplicate Cartier Astrotourbillon 1701 Replica Watch Online
What is the Cartier Astrotourbillon?
The Astrotourbillon is Cartier's signature high-complication watch, introduced in 2010 in the Calibre de Cartier line. Its defining feature is a tourbillon carriage mounted at the center of the movement, with the balance and escapement sweeping around the dial once per minute instead of sitting in a cutout at 6 o'clock. Cartier builds it around the in-house Calibre 9451 MC, and the case is large, roughly 47 mm on the original titanium version.
Because the tourbillon is the whole point of the design, a replica lives or dies on whether that rotating carriage actually works. Most cheap copies print or stamp a fake cage onto a standard dial and let a plain movement run underneath.
imitation cartier astrotourbillon 1701
What does "1701" mean in a replica listing?
Numeric tags like 1701 are internal shorthand used by replica sellers and factories to separate versions, batches, or storefronts. The same watch may appear as 1701, V2, or a factory nickname depending on who is listing it. None of these codes are standardized, and two sellers can use 1701 for different watches.
Cartier Astrotourbillon 1701 Replica: What the Tag Means and How to Vet One
Treat the code as a hint about which batch you are looking at, not as a quality grade. Ask the seller what the tag refers to and compare the answer with the photos.
What should you check before buying a cloned Astrotourbillon?
Does the tourbillon actually rotate?
Ask for a short video, not a still photo. On a working clone the entire carriage orbits the dial once per minute, and the balance wheel oscillates inside it. A cage that never moves is decoration.
Do the case size and proportions match?
The genuine watch is a large, thick piece with a wide bezel and long lugs. Replicas often shrink the case to about 42 mm or thin the profile, which changes how it sits on the wrist. Request caliper measurements and caseback photos before you commit.
How clean is the finishing?
Look closely at the dial printing, the Roman numerals, the blued hands, and the polish on the bezel edges. Sharp, consistent printing and crisp applied numerals separate a serious clone from a budget copy. Soft edges and fuzzy text show up quickly in macro photos.
What movement is inside?
Sellers should name the movement family and state whether it is manual wind or automatic. Real central-tourbillon architecture is rare in replicas, so many clones use a modified automatic with a decorative bridge. A vague answer about the movement is a warning sign.
What are red flags in these listings?
- Stock photos lifted from Cartier's own site instead of real pictures of the watch being sold.
- No video of the tourbillon running, or a video that cuts away from the dial.
- Claims that the watch is "1:1" or "identical" with no measurements or movement details.
- Pressure to pay by methods with no buyer protection.
- Prices far below the normal range for a working tourbillon replica.
Is buying a cloned Cartier legal?
Counterfeit watches infringe Cartier's trademarks, and selling them is illegal in the United States and most of the European Union. Buying one for personal use is generally lower risk than reselling, but shipments can be seized by customs and the goods carry no warranty or service support. Reselling a counterfeit is where buyers most often run into real legal trouble.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cloned Cartier Astrotourbillon cost?
Listings typically run from a few hundred dollars for decorative copies to well over a thousand for versions with a functioning rotating carriage. A genuine Astrotourbillon sells for six figures, so any working clone at a low price deserves extra scrutiny.
Can a replica Astrotourbillon pass as genuine?
No. Caseback engravings, movement finishing, and the serial-level details differ, and any watchmaker or boutique can spot them. Assume a clone reads as a clone to anyone who handles fine watches.
Is the 1701 version better than other batches?
There is no reliable ranking behind these codes because sellers apply them freely. Compare actual photos, videos, and movement specs between listings instead of trusting a batch number.