The replica Cartier Ruban 31mm is a third-party copy of a discontinued Cartier ladies' watch, built in the same 31 mm curved "ribbon" case shape. Cartier no longer sells the Ruban, so nothing marketed under that name today comes from Cartier. Copies are unauthorized, they are illegal to import or sell in the United States, and build quality varies a lot from seller to seller.
What the Cartier Ruban Actually Is
Cartier introduced the Ruban in the early 2000s. "Ruban" is French for ribbon, and the name describes the case, which curves into the lugs like a folded strip of fabric. The 31 mm version sits in the middle of Cartier's ladies' sizes, between the smaller Tank references and the larger men's models. Genuine examples came in stainless steel and in gold, some with diamond-set bezels, and most ran on quartz movements.
Because the model was discontinued, there is no current retail price to compare a copy against. A pre-owned genuine Ruban trades on the secondary market, and prices depend on the metal, the condition, and whether the original box and papers survived.
Why the 31 mm Ruban Gets Copied
- The case shape is distinctive, so a copy reads as Cartier from across a table.
- It is a ladies' dress watch, a category where quartz movements keep production cost low.
- The original is out of production, so buyers cannot compare a copy to a window display.
- 31 mm fits a wide range of wrists, which broadens the market for a single case size.
What Varies Between Copies
Sellers use the same product name for very different watches. The differences show up in a few predictable places.
- Case finishing: polished surfaces, edge sharpness, and how the case flows into the lugs.
- Movement: a generic quartz module is common; some copies use a cheap automatic, which is thicker than the case was designed for.
- Dial: printed text, Roman numeral weight, and whether the hands are the right length.
- Crown: genuine Ruban crowns set a blue sapphire or spinel cabochon; copies often use glass or dyed stone.
- Strap or bracelet: leather quality, buckle markings, and whether the strap tapers at the lugs.
- Water resistance: frequently claimed, rarely tested.
Legal and Practical Risks in the US
Counterfeit watches are trademark-infringing goods. U.S. Customs and Border Protection can seize shipments, and selling counterfeits exposes a seller to civil liability and, in some cases, criminal charges. Buying one for personal use does not create a safe harbor if the package is intercepted.
Practical problems follow the legal ones. Cartier will not service a counterfeit or supply parts for it. Independent watchmakers often decline the work. Resale value is close to zero, and a copy is hard to move on because buyers cannot verify it. Plated finishes wear through, quartz modules fail, and a watch that arrives working may not stay that way.
Getting the Ruban Look Without the Risk
If the appeal is the ribbon case and the 31 mm size, a few honest routes exist.
- Buy a genuine pre-owned Ruban from a dealer who provides photographs of the movement and the caseback reference.
- Look at current Cartier ladies' models in a similar size, such as the Tank or Panthère lines.
- Consider an unbranded or independently branded dress watch with a curved case in the 31 to 33 mm range.
Common Questions
Is a replica Cartier Ruban 31mm the same size as the original?
Advertised measurements are approximate. Copies often measure 30 to 32 mm across the case, and thickness runs greater than the original because of the movement used.
Do replica Ruban watches hold value?
No. Counterfeit watches have no collector market, no service network, and no resale channel that will authenticate them.
Can a jeweler service one?
Most will not. Repair shops that do accept counterfeit work often charge more than the watch cost and cannot source correct parts.