Cartier Watches: Travel & Lifestyle Perspective

Key Points from the Discussion

• Shipping exotic leather straps internationally, such as alligator, requires specific CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) documentation. Without it, watches can be held indefinitely or returned by customs, as experienced by the author.
• A common workaround for CITES regulations is for the seller to remove the exotic strap and ship it separately via standard mail, while the watch is sent through a specialized carrier. However, some Japanese dealers may refuse this due to strict adherence to regulations.
• The author's experience suggests that even professional shippers may lack full understanding of CITES protocols for luxury goods, leading to significant delays and frustration for the buyer.
• One contributor advises against using FedEx for international watch shipments due to perceived incompetence, suggesting that other carriers might handle such complex shipments more effectively.
• Despite the shipping ordeal, the author expresses satisfaction with the Cartier timepiece, noting its unique aesthetic and how it wears well on a 7-inch wrist, dispelling initial concerns about its size.
• The author managed to acquire the watch at a price close to retail, avoiding the inflated grey market rates, despite the subsequent shipping complications.