A fake Baignoire 2021 is a counterfeit of the curved "bathtub" Cartier Baignoire that Cartier reissued in 2021. Genuine examples run on the quartz Cartier caliber 057, carry a sapphire cabochon in the crown, and hide the word "Cartier" inside the VII numeral on the dial. Most counterfeits from that period miss at least one of those three markers.
Why did the 2021 Baignoire attract so many counterfeits?
The 2021 relaunch traded the stretched Allongee outline for a softer oval case in yellow gold, rose gold, and white gold, with diamond and plain bezel options. A simple silhouette and solid gold content make the model easy to imitate and easy to sell. Counterfeit production climbed as demand rose, so 2021-era fakes now sit in a crowded market.
How do you spot a fake Baignoire 2021?
Case shape and proportions
The petit modele measures roughly 24 mm across and the grand modele roughly 31 mm, with a case that curves to follow the wrist. Fakes usually sit flatter, run thicker, and show soft or rounded lug edges. Genuine polishing is mirror bright with crisp transitions, while counterfeit cases look uneven under angled light.
Movement and caseback
Most 2021 Baignoire references use the quartz Cartier caliber 057, which surprises buyers who assume a luxury watch must be mechanical. A counterfeit advertised as "automatic" contradicts the real specification. The genuine caseback is engraved with the reference number, a serial, and the Swiss Made marking.
Dial and hidden signature
Cartier tucks the word "Cartier" inside one Roman numeral, most often the VII. Counterfeits print it oversized, place it on the wrong numeral, or skip it altogether. Roman numerals should be sharp and evenly spaced, with the Swiss Made text aligned at 6 o'clock.
Crown and cabochon
The crown is beaded and set with a blue sapphire cabochon that shows depth and a clean facet. Replicas use glass or plastic that looks milky or flat. The crown should also wind and set smoothly, since a gritty feel points to a cheap substitute movement.
What do box, papers, and price reveal?
A genuine 2021 Baignoire arrived with a Cartier red box, a warranty card carrying a serial that matches the caseback, and a dated certificate. If the seller asks a few hundred dollars for a solid gold watch, or cannot match the card to the case, treat it as counterfeit. Real gold Baignoire pricing sits in the thousands even on the secondary market.
Are fake Baignoire watches legal in the United States?
Selling counterfeit watches is illegal under US trademark law, and customs officers can seize imported shipments. Buyers receive no Cartier warranty, no authorized service, and no resale value. Repair shops often refuse to work on counterfeit cases because parts do not fit.
Quick checklist for a Baignoire 2021
- Quartz caliber 057, not an automatic movement
- Blue sapphire cabochon with visible depth
- Hidden Cartier signature inside the VII
- Reference and serial engraved on the caseback
- Warranty card serial matching the case