Santos de Cartier (medium, steel)

Original: The bezel is secured to the case by eight visible polished screws with correct slot geometry. On genuine Santos examples, the screw heads are polished and the slots are precisely cut and aligned. On the bicolor steel/rose gold variant, the screws are in rose gold.

• Screw heads with slot cuts that are off-center, inconsistent in width, or show tool marks from a driver that was the wrong size
• Screws with surface finish (matte vs. polished) inconsistent with the case metal specification
• Any screw that is loose or has visible thread damage -- the bezel screws should not move under normal wear
• Rose gold-colored screws that do not match the finish quality of the bracelet rose gold elements

Original: The Santos integrated bracelet uses alternating brushed and polished links in a specific width and taper. On the bicolor variant, alternating links are rose gold and steel. The QuickSwitch system (introduced in recent generations) allows the bracelet to be removed without tools.

• Bracelet with inconsistent link width or spacing -- the Santos bracelet has a specific taper from the case to the clasp
• Brushed/polished finish transitions that are not crisp at the link edges
• QuickSwitch mechanism that releases with no resistance -- the mechanism should require deliberate pressure to actuate
• Aftermarket bracelet without the QuickSwitch system on a stated current-production example
• Rose gold elements with a color that differs from the case rose gold under the same light source

Original: Applied Roman numerals in blued steel. Each numeral is individually set. They should have consistent height relative to the dial surface, consistent blue coloring, and the same surface finishing.

• Roman numerals that appear printed or shallow rather than individually applied with depth
• Color inconsistency between numerals -- a replaced numeral will often be a slightly different blue shade
• Numeral height inconsistency under loupe: one numeral sitting lower or higher than its neighbors indicates replacement or dial damage

Original: Round cab crown with the Cartier blue spinel. The blue stone should be a faceted synthetic spinel, set in a polished bezel. The stone has a characteristic deep blue without any purple shift.

• Crown stone that shows a purple or violet cast rather than a clean deep blue
• Crown without any stone -- aftermarket crown replacements often use a plain steel cap
• Stone that is flat-topped rather than slightly convex (cabochon profile)
• Crown bezel that shows any tool marks or finish degradation inconsistent with the case quality

• Solid caseback with engraved Cartier text and reference
• WSSA0030 (or relevant reference) on the case band
• "Swiss Made" on the dial at 6 and on the caseback
• Case material hallmarks: 750 for rose gold elements if applicable
• "Cartier" engraved on the caseback in correct typeface weight and depth
• Water resistance: 10 ATM (100M) -- engraved on the caseback