The Drive de Cartier Replica – by Chris Edwards

Warning: This replica watch review with a difference may contain traces of mancrush. So let’s address the chiselled jaw on the elephant in the room. On the business front, he co-founded a high-end tailoring business – Oscar Hunt.We envy the hero of this shoot, Mr Chris Edwards, more than just a little bit. Let us count the ways. He surfs and still dresses as sharply as anyone in the country (see these stunning photographs for perfectly fitted proof).

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Drive de Cartier in steel and leather

But perhaps the hardest thing to stomach is that he’s actually a really good guy. And we know, because we were lucky enough to join Chris and Cartier in Florence for Pitti Uomo 2016.To make matters even more unreasonable, he was recently crowned the Australian ‘Drive Man’ by Cartier.  He wore the brand new Drive de Cartier for a week – and on the flight back to Australia, we asked him about it. Here’s what he told us.

Dormeuil wool/silk jacket and wool trouser, cotton shirt and cotton pocket square, all by Oscar Hunt; silk tie by Biagio Santo for Oscar Hunt

Above, Chris wears Dormeuil wool/silk jacket and wool trouser, cotton shirt and cotton pocket square, all by Oscar Hunt; silk tie by Biagio Santo for Oscar Hunt; Drive de Cartier with large date, retrograde second time zone and day/night indicator in 18K pink gold and leather

My first impression was… that it looked different to most other replica watches you see out there. It was the unique shape that struck me the most at first.

Once I put it on, it felt… good. It definitely has a bit of weight to it but not so much that it feels too macho or over-the-top.

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Solbiati seersucker suit, cotton shirt and Dormeuil tie, all by Oscar Hunt; pocket square by Michelassi for Oscar Hunt; Drive de Cartier in steel and leather

Looks-wise… I thought it looked quite big in the box, but on the wrist the proportions were great. It’s definitely a masculine replica watch but with a high degree of style and elegance. I tend to cut my shirt cuffs larger than normal to avoid catching on my wrist, so I can wear replica watches easily, and because of that, the replica watch sits well under the shirt.

Solbiati seersucker suit, cotton shirt and Dormeuil tie, all by Oscar Hunt; pocket square by Michelassi for Oscar Hunt

Solbiati seersucker suit, cotton shirt and Dormeuil tie, all by Oscar Hunt; pocket square by Michelassi for Oscar Hunt; Drive de Cartier in steel and leather; sunglasses Chris’s own

What stood out to me was… the attention to detail. The subtle and precise engraving on the dial, the tiny Cartier ‘secret signature’ in the number seven, and the softness of the octagon shape. It looks effortless, but I can only imagine the countless hours of work that went into getting it right.

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Drive de Cartier in 18K pink gold and leather

I’d wear this with… my day-to-day suiting, my smart-casual and my formal wear. Essentially, I think the Drive is a really good all-rounder. I especially liked how the replica watch went with my navy linen suit.  The simplicity of the steel case and black alligator strap worked really well with the deep blue. I also liked that the replica watch was able to carry a more casual look with the open-neck tan suit.

Dormeuil linen suit and cotton shirt both by Oscar Hunt; silk tie by Biagio Santo for Oscar Hunt

Dormeuil linen suit and cotton shirt both by Oscar Hunt; silk tie by Biagio Santo for Oscar Hunt; Drive de Cartier in 18K pink gold and leather

If I could change anything… it might be the clasp. I found it tricky to do up initially, although I got the hang of it after a few days. And to be honest, maybe that was because I hadn’t used that particular type of buckle before.

By the end of the week… I loved it. I know that’s convenient, but it’s true. The more I wore it, the more it grew on me. Suits, both casual and formal, are an essential part of my life – and the Drive was versatile enough to complement them all. This replica watch nailed it.

Dormeuil wool suit, cotton shirt, both by Oscar Hunt; pocket square by Biagio Santo for Oscar Hunt

Dormeuil wool suit, cotton shirt, both by Oscar Hunt; pocket square by Biagio Santo for Oscar Hunt; Drive de Cartier in steel and leather

Images by Marcus Flack