Sell your Cartier watch in Berlin

Cartier is a special case among luxury watches: the Paris house comes from the jeweller's art, and that is reflected in how we buy. With a Cartier we value not only the watch as a timepiece, but also the case material, any gem setting and the design history. A yellow-gold Tank on a leather strap, a steel Santos with automatic movement and a Ballon Bleu with diamond bezel each follow their own pricing logic – so there is no flat price per model with us.

The Cartier lines we buy most often

• Santos: designed in 1904 for the aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont and one of the first men's wristwatches. The current Santos de Cartier (since 2018) with QuickSwitch strap change and SmartLink sizing is much in demand; we also buy the older Santos Galbée and Santos 100. Read more in our German guide to the Cartier Santos generations.
• Tank: the rectangular icon from 1917 in many versions – Tank Louis Cartier, Tank Française, Tank Américaine, Tank Solo and the new Tank Must. Gold models with manual winding fetch noticeably more than steel quartz versions.
• Panthère: the ladies' model with the supple link bracelet from the 1980s, relaunched in 2017. Size, metal (steel, two-tone, gold) and a complete, unshortened bracelet matter for the price.
• Ballon Bleu, Pasha, Calibre and Roadster: the Ballon Bleu with its blue cabochon under the curved crown guard, the Pasha with the screw-down crown cap, as well as Calibre de Cartier, Drive and the discontinued Roadster.

Older pieces signed “Cartier Paris” or “Cartier London”, watches from the Collection Privée Cartier Paris (CPCP) and early Tank or Baignoire models are sought-after collector's items. Here we look at original dials, the correct movement and the case hallmarks, and value them by the collector market rather than today's catalogue price.

How we check authenticity

Cartier is one of the most frequently counterfeited brands. Our check includes, among other things:

• Serial number and reference on the case back – they must match each other and the papers.
• The crown with a cabochon of synthetic spinel or sapphire, cleanly set.
• The secret signature: on many models the word “Cartier” is hidden in tiny letters in one of the Roman numerals on the dial.
• The movement: automatic models with in-house calibres such as 1847 MC or 1904 MC, quartz movements with the correct signature.

Diamonds and gold

Diamonds set by Cartier at the factory increase the value; stones added later (“aftermarket”) usually lower it considerably, because the watch is no longer original. For gold Cartier watches we always take the metal value into account as well. We also buy Cartier jewellery such as the Love bracelet, Juste un Clou and Trinity.

What to bring

Ideally the red Cartier box, the international guarantee certificate, the invoice and – if available – Cartier service records and any removed bracelet links. Missing documents are not a reason to refuse: we check authenticity directly on the watch.

How selling works

1. Send photos. Dial, case back, side view and any papers via WhatsApp (+49 172 1832586). You usually get a first price range within 30 minutes during opening hours.
2. Visit us. We inspect the watch at our store in Uhlandstraße 47: authenticity, movement, timekeeping, case and bracelet.
3. Get a firm offer. You receive a binding price and an explanation of how we arrived at it. There is no fee and no pressure to sell.
4. Get paid. If you accept, we pay in cash or by bank transfer straight away. Please bring a valid passport or ID card.

Frequently asked questions

Do you buy Cartier watches with quartz movements?

Yes. Many Tank, Panthère and Ballon Bleu models run on quartz, and we buy them just like automatic watches. The price depends mainly on model, metal and condition. A flat battery is no obstacle – we check the movement at the appointment.

Do aftermarket diamonds reduce the value of my Cartier?

As a rule yes, and considerably. Buyers expect a Cartier in its factory condition; stones not set by Cartier make it an altered piece. Factory diamond setting, on the other hand, is a clear plus.

How does ChronoMarket know whether my Cartier is genuine?

We compare the serial number and reference on the case back, check the crown and cabochon, the dial with the hidden Cartier signature, the clasp and the movement. Only when all features are consistent do we make an offer.

Can I sell a Cartier without the red box and guarantee certificate?

Yes. A missing box or papers lower the price somewhat but do not prevent a sale. What matters is that the watch itself passes the authenticity check.

Do you also buy Cartier jewellery?

Yes. Besides watches we buy Love bracelets, Juste un Clou, Trinity and other Cartier jewellery – ideally with box and certificate, but also without.

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