Are you in the market for a luxury watch? If that is so, you are in the right place. Because in this post, you will learn how to differentiate between a genuine and a fake watch.
Before delving deeper into factors or characteristics of a fake watch, it’s better to understand that the replica watch market generates over $1 billion per year. This means genuine watchmakers like the Swiss Watch Industry, the makers of the Rolex brand, are losing a lot in terms of revenue. Again, it’s becoming tougher and tougher to spot or recognize a fake watch. Nowadays, fraudsters employ skilled watchmakers with equal expertise, like those producing high-end luxury timepieces, thus making it hard to distinguish fake from real.
Among the top recognized watch brands, Rolex is the most counterfeited brand. Don’t be deterred by the above statement if you want to buy Rolex or any other luxury brand. Below, you will find five simple ways to identify a fake watch.
1. Check Watch Weight
They craft branded watches using precious stones, heavy metals, crystals, gold, and silver. Also, they feature lots of small moving parts. Because of this, a branded watch will always feel heavier and sturdier than it looks. Compared to ordinary timepieces, you will notice they are lighter, not that sturdy or durable. This noticeable difference arises since counterfeiters use materials that are cheap and below standards to save on costs.
2. Confirm Watch Specification
Before stepping inside a watch store, always do your research on the watch you wish to buy. It’s the only way to know what specifications to expect. Besides, it’s a chance to make sure the model you aspire to buy meets your desired specifications. Doing so will make it easier to distinguish between an authentic designer watch from a replica version.
So take your time and look for more information. You can also download photos and try to learn more about what your preferred watch looks like. Check where the labeling of trademarks, logos, and stamps appears. This information will greatly help you choose the correct watch model and avoid buying a fake watch.
3. Quality of Materials and Finishing
Luxury watches are expensive because watchmakers build them using only the finest materials. For instance, the construction of high-end timepieces involves expensive materials like genuine platinum, titanium, gold, diamonds, gemstones, stainless steel, and leather.
But fake models opt for cheap materials to save on cost and increase profit. Though a replica looks like an original in most cases, the quality of materials behind it is not. So before buying a watch, scrutinize it. Open the back, look at the finishing, or get a professional to help you out.
Besides that, genuine luxury watches have top-notch finishing, well-done engraving, and legible lettering. Most fake watches lack this kind of precision and detailed finishing. Others may have scratches and misspelled words. However, be cautious, according to reports released recently. Counterfeiters are now including real 18k gold in their fake watch models. So it’s better to do more research on a model and only purchase from a reputable store.
4. Check Serial Numbers
Each luxury watch from leading brands comes with serial numbers. And fortunately, thanks to the internet, you can now key in the serial number on the search engine and have results within seconds. Alternatively, you can search for aftermarket versions and see similar models bearing the same serial number as the watch you want.
Authentic watches have serial numbers on their bracelet, watch cases, and sometimes behind the dialer. All serial numbers ought to be similar. Compare all of this, and it might help spot the difference between a genuine and a fake watch.
5. Low Prices
Of course, the price should be high considering the material used to create that trendy watches are expensive to source.
If you are in the watch market and looking for an exquisite brand, expect the cost to be high. It’s even easier to approximate the value of a particular watch model by searching the internet. Therefore, if you come across an outlet offering low prices for a high-end brand, don’t buy.
In a nutshell:
Fake watches are available in the market, and most people are purchasing them unknowingly. But that will not be you, because now you know how to differentiate. Follow the above tips, and you won’t become a fake watch buyer!
