Need help, what should I do?

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mia55

mia55

Life is actually fair, it has no mercy on anyone!
O.G.
Jun 21, 2010
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#1
So I recently bought a Cartier love bracelet (vintage from 1993 that has both Italian and swiss markings) from a Japanese seller on eBay. It doesn't come with papers but a Japanese repair receipt from Cartier, which the seller claims was received when Cartier polished the bracelet. Since I can't read the japenese, I'm unsure what it says. The bracelet is very shiny, so it looks recently polished. I also noticed it's pretty heavy.

I decided to get it authenticated from Real Authentication and later on with Legit Grails. Both of them refunded me as they couldn't authenticate. They never said it's fake, either. After getting a refund from both services, I contacted the seller, and they're fine if I return it or get it authenticated somewhere else. I got the bracelet at a great price, so I want to make sure it's authentic before returning it.

Any suggestions on how should I manage the authentication?

Thanks for the help!
 
#2
If you're questioning its authenticity, then I would return. Don't keep it just because you got a good deal on it, it would honestly make me uneasy not having those papers and CoA. I bought a Love bracelet back in 2008 on eBay and I got all the papers and CoA, so I knew it was authentic.

I would personally return. There are other deals out there that you can get. Good luck with your decision.
 
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#3
mia55 said:
So I recently bought a Cartier love bracelet (vintage from 1993 that has both Italian and swiss markings) from a Japanese seller on eBay. It doesn't come with papers but a Japanese repair receipt from Cartier, which the seller claims was received when Cartier polished the bracelet. Since I can't read the japenese, I'm unsure what it says. The bracelet is very shiny, so it looks recently polished. I also noticed it's pretty heavy.

I decided to get it authenticated from Real Authentication and later on with Legit Grails. Both of them refunded me as they couldn't authenticate. They never said it's fake, either. After getting a refund from both services, I contacted the seller, and they're fine if I return it or get it authenticated somewhere else. I got the bracelet at a great price, so I want to make sure it's authentic before returning it.

Any suggestions on how should I manage the authentication?

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Not sure if this is much help! But I bought a vintage Love from a very reputable source a few years ago now (wanted old screw system). It was very hard to find someone else to authenticate reliably so I took it to Cartier and requested engraving. They looked up the serial number, examined the bracelet, then took it in and engraved it for me free of charge. You may not want engraving but it certainly gave me some peace of mind!
 
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#4
Tonimichelle said:
Not sure if this is much help! But I bought a vintage Love from a very reputable source a few years ago now (wanted old screw system). It was very hard to find someone else to authenticate reliably so I took it to Cartier and requested engraving. They looked up the serial number, examined the bracelet, then took it in and engraved it for me free of charge. You may not want engraving but it certainly gave me some peace of mind!
Click to expand...
This is a very smart idea, thank you very much. I'll take it to the Cartier this week.
 
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#5
Tonimichelle said:
Not sure if this is much help! But I bought a vintage Love from a very reputable source a few years ago now (wanted old screw system). It was very hard to find someone else to authenticate reliably so I took it to Cartier and requested engraving. They looked up the serial number, examined the bracelet, then took it in and engraved it for me free of charge. You may not want engraving but it certainly gave me some peace of mind!
Click to expand...
HI!! just bought a Cartier love bracelet and want some peace of mind... When you took yours in did you tell them you bought it preloved?? or did you just say you didn't have the paperwork with you and then they proceeded to look up?? not sure if it matters, but want to make sure I'm not turned away as I am making a 3 hour drive...
 
#6
Danstuh said:
HI!! just bought a Cartier love bracelet and want some peace of mind... When you took yours in did you tell them you bought it preloved?? or did you just say you didn't have the paperwork with you and then they proceeded to look up?? not sure if it matters, but want to make sure I'm not turned away as I am making a 3 hour drive...
Click to expand...
Well it was a few years ago now and I don't know if every boutique would be the same, but if I remember correctly they asked if I was the original purchaser and I said no, it was a gift from an older relative.
Felt a little guilty, but hopefully just a little white lie. It was an older piece so not unrealistic that I wasn't the original purchaser and I figure that some of the earlier ones must be left to relatives and plenty of people lose paperwork or may not have been the original purchaser either! They did check the serial number but didn't comment after that.
I guess if these items are built to last, unless Cartier had a policy in place not to service a piece after a certain number of years, or without an original receipt then it would be a little unfair to turn away an authentic older piece for repair for instance.
 
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#7
I remember when I bought my vintage cartier watch, I took it to the boutique and asked to service it (just for me to know if it’s authentic or not). When I received the service quotation- i consider it that the watch is authentic. I didn’t proceed the service though because there’s nothing major work to be done.
 
#8
Quick update: I took the bracelet to the Hudson Yards Cartier in NYC, and the SA was super duper nice. He pulled out the history of the bracelet and all the service dates that aligned with the service certificate that was provided to me earlier. He did take the bracelet inside for like 30 minutes, so I'm guessing he was getting it authenticated by someone. All together it was a good experience and the bracelet got authenticated. Thanks all for your help!!!
 
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#9
mia55 said:
Quick update: I took the bracelet to the Hudson Yards Cartier in NYC, and the SA was super duper nice. He pulled out the history of the bracelet and all the service dates that aligned with the service certificate that was provided to me earlier. He did take the bracelet inside for like 30 minutes, so I'm guessing he was getting it authenticated by someone. All together it was a good experience and the bracelet got authenticated. Thanks all for your help!!!
Click to expand...
This story gives me nice fuzzy feeling. Kinda feel bad for the bracelet which was a little doubted for while and im glad she gets what she deserves and worth in the end!
 
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#11
mia55 said:
So I recently bought a Cartier love bracelet (vintage from 1993 that has both Italian and swiss markings) from a Japanese seller on eBay. It doesn't come with papers but a Japanese repair receipt from Cartier, which the seller claims was received when Cartier polished the bracelet. Since I can't read the japenese, I'm unsure what it says. The bracelet is very shiny, so it looks recently polished. I also noticed it's pretty heavy.

I decided to get it authenticated from Real Authentication and later on with Legit Grails. Both of them refunded me as they couldn't authenticate. They never said it's fake, either. After getting a refund from both services, I contacted the seller, and they're fine if I return it or get it authenticated somewhere else. I got the bracelet at a great price, so I want to make sure it's authentic before returning it.

Any suggestions on how should I manage the authentication?

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Did it have a *ITO 1993 engraving ? I bought one at fashionphile and have t yet to take it to be serviced ay the boutique .. I’ve had to buy 2 screws for it because they fell out
 
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