The replica Drive de Cartier 38588 is a 1:1 copy of Cartier's 40mm cushion-case automatic. It pairs a stainless steel case with a silvered guilloché dial, black Roman numerals, and a decorated automatic movement built to mimic the Cartier 1904MC. Prices run from about $180 for a basic build to $450 for a top-tier clone with a Japanese or Swiss movement inside.
What Does the Number 38588 Mean?
The 38588 code comes from replica factory and dealer catalogs, not from Cartier. Cartier's own references use the CRW format, so sellers use 38588 as shorthand for one specific build of the Drive de Cartier. When two sellers list 38588, they mean the same 40mm steel version with a silver dial and a date window at 3 o'clock.
Drive de Cartier 38588 Replica Specs
- Case: 40mm cushion shape, stainless steel, roughly 11.5mm thick
- Crystal: sapphire with anti-reflective coating on better builds, mineral glass on budget ones
- Dial: silvered guilloché texture, Roman numerals, blued-steel style hands
- Movement: automatic, 21,600 vph, about 40 hours of power reserve
- Date: window at 3 o'clock with a framed aperture on the better versions
- Water resistance: 30m to 50m claimed, never pressure-tested at the factory
- Strap: black or brown alligator-grain leather on a steel folding clasp
- Weight: 70 to 85 grams on leather
Which Movement Comes in the 38588 Clone?
Budget 38588 replicas use a 21-jewel Chinese automatic, often a Seagull or a similar domestic calibre. Mid-range builds switch to a Miyota 9015, which holds time within a few seconds a day and is easy for any watchmaker to service. Top-tier builds use a decorated clone of the Cartier 1904MC with blued screws and Geneva stripes, visible through a sapphire case back.
The movement choice is the single biggest price driver. Two watches with the same case and dial can differ by $150 based on what ticks inside.
Dial and Case Details Worth Inspecting
The guilloché texture is the first thing to check. Cartier stamps a concentric wave pattern into the dial, while cheap replicas print it, so the lines look flat under raking light. Case bevels should be sharp and even, and the crown set with a blue cabochon should sit flush against the case band.
How to Check Quality Before You Buy
- Ask for daylight photos, not studio shots with heavy lighting.
- Request a close-up of the dial texture and the date aperture edges.
- Confirm the exact movement with a photo of the case back.
- Look at the case back screws and the crown for tool marks or burrs.
- Ask for a timegrapher reading: rate, amplitude, and beat error.
- Confirm the return window and shipping terms in writing before you pay.
Common Flaws in Cheap 38588 Replicas
- Roman numerals that sit off-center, most often at 12 and 6
- A printed dial pattern instead of a stamped guilloché
- A date window with a white plastic ring around it
- A crown that stands proud of the case instead of sitting flush
- Hands that are too thick or the wrong shade of blue
- Lugs that feel sharp when you run a finger along the edge
Drive de Cartier 38588 vs Other Replica References
Sellers use other codes for the Extra-Flat 38mm version and for the moon phase model. The 38588 stays the most common pick because a plain dial with one date window is easier to copy well than a moon phase or a small seconds subdial. If you want the closest match to the original at a low price, the 38588 is the safer buy. Moon phase clones cost more and show their flaws faster under close inspection.
How Does the 40mm Cushion Case Fit?
The case measures 40mm across, but the corners make it wear closer to a 42mm round watch. Wrists from 6.5 to 7.5 inches fit the stock strap; outside that range, plan for a custom band. Lug width is 20mm on most builds, so third-party straps are easy to source.
FAQ
Is the replica Drive de Cartier 38588 waterproof?
No. The claimed 30m rating covers splashes from hand washing and rain. Do not swim or shower with it, and have a watchmaker pressure-test the seals if you plan to wear it near water.
How much should I pay for a 38588 replica?
$180 to $250 buys a basic version with a Chinese automatic. $300 to $450 buys better case finishing and a Miyota or Swiss movement. Anything past $500 is overpriced for a replica.
Can a jeweler tell it is a replica?
A trained eye can, and the tells are the dial texture and the movement finish. From arm's length, a good 38588 clone reads as the real watch.
Does the 38588 replica come with a box and papers?
Most sellers include a Cartier-style box and a warranty card. These add no value and are not the same as genuine papers from an authorized dealer.
What the Replica Cannot Copy
Cartier's 1904MC has a specific bridge shape and hand finishing that clone makers approximate but never match. The stamped guilloché and the crown cabochon also differ under a loupe. Resale value is zero, and Cartier service centers will not work on the watch.
Buy the 38588 as a look-alike you enjoy wearing, not as an investment. Judge it on case finishing, dial texture, and the movement inside, and it can serve as a solid daily wearer for years.