Bezel
Santos exposed-screw bezel
ProbableThe Santos bezel carries eight exposed screws, which have been the model's signature since 1904 and are the most frequently botched feature on counterfeits. On a genuine watch the screws are real fasteners finished to the same standard as the case, seated flush, with heads whose slot orientation is consistent within a given production standard.
Part reference
- Brand
- Cartier
- Material
- Steel or gold
- Identifying marks
- Screw heads flush with the bezel surface, cleanly cut slots, no burring at the edges, and the same brushing or polishing as the surrounding metal. Cast-in dummy screws, proud or recessed heads, and inconsistent finishing are counterfeit indicators.
Documented on these references
- Cartier WGSA0018Factory
Whole production
- Cartier W20073X8Factory
Whole production
Earlier Santos generation. The screws are the constant across the line; the bracelet system is not.
- Cartier WSSA0018Factory
Whole production
- Cartier WSSA0029Factory
Whole production
Provenance of this record
Sources & Evidence
Primary sourceManufacturer documentation
Cartier — collection and movement specifications
Cartier International
- Accessed
- 2026-08-18
Cited for
This referenceProbable
Contemporaneous sourceOriginal catalog
Cartier catalogues, price lists and period advertising
Cartier
- Accessed
- 2026-08-18
Cited for
This referenceProbable
Last verified: Not yet reviewed