Cartier Watch Serial Number Database
Knowing your
On an authentic Cartier, the SN will be etched on to the back cover; most counterfeit pieces will either have no serial number or have the number on a sticker. Here are a few other methods to determine if your piece is counterfeit. Let's say you have a Waltham watch with serial number 21,607,210 as shown in the photo below. Note that we're using the serial number from the watch movement, not from the watch case. Looking at the table of Waltham serial numbers (see example below), you can see that number 20,900,000 was made in 1917 and 21,800,000 was made in 1918 (marked in.
Identify Model name – The name of the Cartier model examples: Roadster, Tank, Pasha, Panthere, Santos, Calibre etc. Identify model number and serial number. You can find both items on your original Cartier paperwork, warranty card, or watch appraisal. The serial number on a Cartier watch is a guarantee that the watch is not a counterfeit. Each watch has its own unique serial that gives information about where and when it was produced.
watch’s
model number is important for a variety of reasons. Whether you are preparing to get your watch serviced or want to sell your timepiece, the model number will allow everyone to understand exactly what kind of watch you have. This is especially helpful with brands that create very similar watches with only slight variations. If you are wondering how you can find your watch’s model number, keep reading as we cover some of the most popular timepiece brands.What is a watch model number?
A watch’s model number is a unique set of numbers given to specific watches. Model numbers are used to differentiate a watch from other timepieces made by the same timepiece manufacture. For example, all of Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual 39mm watches with a white dial and Oystersteel metal will have the same model number.
How and where to find your watch’s model number:
1. Papers
The first way to find watch model number is to consult the watch’s paperwork. The official papers that came with your watch upon its purchase will contain your watch’s model number. Not every brand will refer to the model number as such, for example, some brands use the term “reference number.” Ensure that you understand the terminology for your watch’s brand.
2. Warranty Card
If your watch’s warranty card was properly completed upon your watch’s purchase then the model number will be listed.
3. The Watch’s Case
Certain brands have their watch’s model number printed on the case. While no two brands are the same, you might be able to find watch model number printed on the case back of one timepiece but not on another. Below are some of the most popular watch brands and where you can find their model number:
- Omega: With Omega, you have two options for finding out your watch’s model number. Your first option is to use the serial number on the back of the case and inputting it in Omega’s database which will tell you its respective model number. The section option requires a professional to open the case and read the model number inside.
- Rolex: Obtaining the model number from Rolex watches can be tricky because the model number is located between the watch lugs under the bracelet/strap. In order to see the model number, the watch’s bracelet/strap will need to be removed. One lug will show the watch’s serial number and the other lug will have the watch’s model number. It is best to have the bracelet/strap removed by a professional to prevent any unnecessary damage.
- Tudor: Similar to Rolex, Tudor watches have their model number hidden under the bracelet/strap and printed beside the lugs. You will need to have the watch’s bracelet/strap removed in order to see the model number. Your best option is to work with a watchmaker who can safely remove the bracelet/strap and allow you to read the model number.
- Cartier: Cartierwatches will have 4 digits printed on the watch’s case back. These 4 numbers are part of the watch’s longer model number and indicate what the watch’s case looks like. Multiple watches with the same type of case can have the same 4 numbers but be composed of different materials. You can look up the 4 digits in Cartier’s reference book on watches which can be found online or in a library. However, some of Cartier’s vintage pieces and quartz watches do not have a number on the case back.
- Tag Heuer: Tag Heuer model numbers are easy to find as they are printed on the back of the case. Be careful not to mix the model number up with the serial number as this is on the case back as well.
- Patek Philippe: Patek Philippe is another brand that requires a watchmaker’s assistance in obtaining the model number. The watch’s model number is printed inside the case while its serial number is on the case back.
- Chopard: Chopard watches have 4 digits on their watch’s case back. These numbers are part of a longer model number which can be found on the watch’s paperwork. If you no longer have the paper work you can meet with a professional watch maker who will be able to identify the watch model with these digits.
- Jaeger Le-Coultre: Jaeger Le-Coultrehave their model numbers printed on the case back.
- Breitling: Breitling watches have their model number on the case back. The paper work for these watches will also contain this number with additional digits that designate the specific design of the watch.
- Bulgari: Bulgariwatches have their model number on the case back.
For vintage timepieces and current watches whose model number you cannot find, you can consult a professional horologist who can assist you in pinpointing the watch’s exact model.
Common Mistakes
Here are some of the most common mistakes that people make when trying to find their watch’s model number:
- Do not confuse your watch’s model number with its serial number or movement number. Serial numbers are unique to each watch and movement numbers refer to the mechanism that operates that watch.
- Some people are hesitant to share their watch’s model number because of scammers who will make these numbers to make counterfeit watches. However, there is no risk in sharing your watch’s model number.
How can I sell my watch?
With your watch’s model number, you are a step closer towards selling your watch. When you work with online expert watch buyers like WP Diamonds, we can provide you with a tight offer for your watch. Our luxury timepiece experts can accurately evaluate your watch based on the second-hand market.
Our free and secure service has earned us and A+ rating from the BBB and hundreds of positive customer reviews. When you sell your watch with WP Diamonds, our process is so fast that you can receive payment in as little as 24 hours after completing our online form. Best of all, there are no hidden fees or commissions that will deduct from your final offer.
Sell your watch to WP Diamonds in 5 simple steps:
- Complete our online form.
- Get your price quote.
- Mail your watch to us through our free, fully insured and overnight shipping service. OR schedule an appointment at one of our modern and secure offices.
- Receive firm offer.
- Accept your offer and receive payment through check, wire or cash (in-person appointments only). Or have your watch mailed back to your through the same free, fully insured and trackable mail service.
Instructions for using our serial number look-up tables
This page contains INSTRUCTIONS for using the serial number look-up tables that are found on many of our watch company history pages. The example below uses information from the American Waltham Watch Company, but that is just an example. You should consult the serial number table for the specific brand of watch movement you are trying to date by selecting a company from the menu on the left.
Not all vintage watches can be dated using the serial number. Some American watch brands did not use a consistent series of serial numbers, but most of the big manufacturers did. Most vintage Swiss pocket watches did NOT have serial numbers and can't be dated by this method.
Can't find YOUR exact serial number in our lookup tables?
Many watch companies made hundreds of thousands of watches, and some companies made millions of watches! It would be impractical to list the individual serial numbers of EVERY watch made... that would make some really long pages! Our serial number tables list RANGES of serial numbers. So to determine when your watch was manufactured, you will need to find where your serial number fits within the range of numbers.
Serial number look-up example:
Let's say you have a Waltham watch with serial number 21,607,210 as shown in the photo below. Note that we're using the serial number from the watch movement, not from the watch case. Looking at the table of Waltham serial numbers (see example below), you can see that number 20,900,000 was made in 1917 and 21,800,000 was made in 1918 (marked in red in the table below). Since your serial number falls between those two numbers, you know that your watch was made in 1917 or 1918.
Not sure which serial number to use?
You must use the serial number from the MOVEMENT of the watch... the working part with the wheels and gears... not the serial number from the watch case. Cases and watches were often made by different companies and each usually has its own serial number. You usually have to take the back off the watch case to see the movement serial number which may appear anywhere on the watch movement.
Use the movement serial number. Do NOT use the case serial number!
This is an example only. Your movement serial number may not be in exactly the same location as the one in the photo, but you are looking for the serial number that is on the watch mechanism itself... not the serial number on the external case.
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1852 | 50 |
| 1853 | 400 |
| 1854 | 1000 |
| 1855 | 2500 |
| 1856 | 4000 |
| 1857 | 6000 |
| 1858 | 10,000 |
| 1859 | 15,000 |
| 1860 | 20,000 |
| 1861 | 30,000 |
| 1862 | 45,000 |
| 1863 | 65,000 |
| 1864 | 110,000 |
| 1865 | 180,000 |
| 1866 | 260,000 |
| 1867 | 330,000 |
| 1868 | 410,000 |
| 1869 | 460,000 |
| 1870 | 500,000 |
| 1871 | 540,000 |
| 1872 | 590,000 |
| 1873 | 680,000 |
| 1874 | 730,000 |
| 1875 | 810,000 |
| 1876 | 910,000 |
| 1877 | 1,000,000 |
| 1878 | 1,150,000 |
| 1879 | 1,350,000 |
| 1880 | 1,500,000 |
| 1881 | 1,670,000 |
| 1882 | 1,835,000 |
| 1883 | 2,000,000 |
| 1884 | 2,350,000 |
| 1885 | 2,650,000 |
| 1886 | 3,000,000 |
| 1887 | 3,400,000 |
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1888 | 3,800,000 |
| 1889 | 4,200,000 |
| 1890 | 4,700,000 |
| 1891 | 5,200,000 |
| 1892 | 5,800,000 |
| 1893 | 6,300,000 |
| 1894 | 6,700,000 |
| 1895 | 7,100,000 |
| 1896 | 7,450,000 |
| 1897 | 8,100,000 |
| 1898 | 8,400,000 |
| 1899 | 9,000,000 |
| 1900 | 9,500,000 |
| 1901 | 10,200,000 |
| 1902 | 11,100,000 |
| 1903 | 12,100,000 |
| 1904 | 13,500,000 |
| 1905 | 14,300,000 |
| 1906 | 14,700,000 |
| 1907 | 15,500,000 |
| 1908 | 16,400,000 |
| 1909 | 17,600,000 |
| 1910 | 17,900,000 |
| 1911 | 18,100,000 |
| 1912 | 18,200,000 |
| 1913 | 18,900,000 |
| 1914 | 19,500,000 |
| 1915 | 20,000,000 |
| 1916 | 20,500,000 |
| 1917 | 20,900,000 |
| 1918 | 21,800,000 |
| 1919 | 22,500,000 |
| 1920 | 23,400,000 |
| 1921 | 23,900,000 |
| 1922 | 24,100,000 |
| 1923 | 24,300,000 |
| Year | S/N |
|---|---|
| 1924 | 24,550,000 |
| 1925 | 24,800,000 |
| 1926 | 25,200,000 |
| 1927 | 26,100,000 |
| 1928 | 26,400,000 |
| 1929 | 26,900,000 |
| 1930 | 27,100,000 |
| 1931 | 27,300,000 |
| 1932 | 27,550,000 |
| 1933 | 27,750,000 |
| 1934 | 28,100,000 |
| 1935 | 28,600,000 |
| 1936 | 29,100,000 |
| 1937 | 29,400,000 |
| 1938 | 29,750,000 |
| 1939 | 30,050,000 |
| 1940 | 30,250,000 |
| 1941 | 30,750,000 |
| 1942 | 31,050,000 |
| 1943 | 31,400,000 |
| 1944 | 31,700,000 |
| 1945 | 32,100,000 |
| 1946 | 32,350,000 |
| 1947 | 32,750,000 |
| 1948 | 33,100,000 |
| 1949 | 33,500,000 |
| 1950 | 33,560,000 |
| 1951 | 33,600,000 |
| 1952 | 33,700,000 |
| 1953 | 33,800,000 |
| 1954 | 34,100,000 |
| 1955 | 34,450,000 |
| 1956 | 34,700,000 |
| 1957 | 35,000,000 |
| - | - |
| - | - |
This is an example using the Waltham serial number table. Be sure to use the table that is specific
to YOUR brand of watch when looking up your serial number.
Cartier Serial Numbers Guide
Be sure to use the serial number on the watch movement (the mechanism).
Do not use the serial number from the watch case.