Short answer
A first-copy Pasha 41mm is a replica built to match the proportions of the genuine Pasha de Cartier 41mm: a 41mm round case, a screw-down crown cap on a short chain, a 100m water-resistance target, and an automatic movement. Buy only from a seller who lists five specs in writing: case diameter, lug-to-lug, movement caliber, crystal type, and water-resistance rating. If any one of those five is missing from the listing, the listing is not ready for your money.
What the 41mm Pasha Reference Covers
The genuine Pasha de Cartier 41mm measures about 41mm across the case and about 47mm from lug tip to lug tip. The dial carries four Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9, a square railroad minute track, and the signature Vendome lugs that blend into the case sides. The crown sits under a hinged cap joined to the case by a small chain. A serious first copy gets those numbers and those shapes right first, then works on polish and brushing second.
Prerequisites
- Your wrist measurement at the flat top of the wrist, taken with a soft tape.
- A photo set from the seller: dial, caseback, crown cap and chain, clasp, and movement.
- A payment method with buyer protection.
- A caliper or a steel ruler for measuring the watch after it arrives.
How to Check a First-Copy Pasha 41mm
- Measure the case across the bezel from the 2 o'clock side to the 8 o'clock side. The reading should land at 41mm, plus or minus 0.3mm.
- Measure lug tip to lug tip. The reading should land near 47mm.
- Turn the crown cap a quarter turn and pull. The chain should stay fixed to the cap and to the case.
- Set the hands to 12:00 and check the alignment against the 12 marker on the dial.
- Check the dial printing with a 10x loupe. Letter spacing on the brand name should be even, and the country-of-origin line should sit level at 6 o'clock.
- Wind the movement about 30 turns, then set the watch down and watch the seconds hand. It should sweep, not stutter or jump.
- Time the watch for 24 hours against a phone clock and write down the gain or loss in seconds per day.
- Have a local watchmaker run a pressure test if you plan to wear the watch near water. Do not swim with it before that test.
- Size the bracelet on a soft surface with a proper tool, and keep the removed links in the box.
Movement Choices
Most first-copy Pasha 41mm watches ship with one of three movements: a Miyota 9015, a Sea-Gull ST2130, or a decorated Asian clone. The Miyota runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour and is the easiest to service. The Sea-Gull is a solid second choice with parts that are simple to source. A decorated clone looks right through a display back but is the hardest to repair. Ask which movement is inside before you pay, and ask for a photo of the rotor.
Sizing and Wear
A 41mm case with Vendome lugs wears larger than the number suggests, because the lugs push the bracelet outward. On a 6.5 inch wrist, expect the watch to sit close to the wrist edges. On a 7.5 inch wrist or larger, the 41mm case looks balanced. Check the lug-to-lug figure against your wrist width, not your wrist circumference, before you commit.
Care Over Time
Service the movement every four to six years. Keep the crown cap closed when you are not setting the watch, since the cap is the main seal. Wipe the case and bracelet with a soft cloth after wear, and store the watch on a soft pad so the Vendome lugs do not take dents. A first copy Pasha 41mm that is measured, timed, and serviced on a schedule will hold its shape and its rate for years.