How to open watch and whether to scrap

[randazzo1]

Hey guys. I got this watch in a cheap lot from an estate sale this morning. I figured out that it’s a Ferrari branded watch by Cartier. The crown is solid 18k and I assume the bezel is as well (definitely looks right).

I can’t figure out to open it. I assume it’s a friction back but there’s no place to get a pry under it. Any ideas??

Also anybody stripped these down? Looks like best it will do as is $150-$250. I’m wondering if there’s a few grams of 18k in here and better of scrapping??

 

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[randazzo1]

That ad in the last photo has been up forever. They’re selling online for significantly less

 

[Rented Mule]

Hard to be sure from the pictures but my guess is the bezel can be removed and the watch accessed via the front. There is probably a friction ring under the bezel that holds the crystal in place.

 

[randazzo1]

I think you’re probably right. I’m going to try to take the bezel off this afternoon

 

[jewelerguy]

looks kinda cheap-o for a Cartier. I'd bet it's a japanese 'replica'

 

[randazzo1]

looks kinda cheap-o for a Cartier. I'd bet it's a japanese 'replica'

I have zero doubt as to its authenticity. Unbeknownst to a lot of people, Cartier banged out a lot of these co-branded watches in the 1970s and early 1980s at a time when a lot of the great houses were going bankrupt or out of business all together. Fortunately Multinationals came to the rescue - which is how Cartier ultimately ended up a subsidy of Vendome (which itself is just a Richemont front). In fact I think they now own Vacheron, Panerai, jaeger and maybe even Omega.

Sadly the same thing happened with the cars! Which is why you should never ever buy a production Porsche dated between 1998 and roughly 2004.

 

[Drmad7]

I thought replica but that bezel looked like a nice bit of gold!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Nice find!