While buying watches online and on the high street is safe as long as reputable suppliers are used, it pays to ensure you are buying an authentic watch. Below we explore the steps of identifying an authentic watch.
Today, an authentic luxury watch is considered a symbol of status and wealth. A beautiful and varied design, incredible craftsmanship and infallible reliability are all the marks of an exquisite timepiece. However, whenever such a high-quality product becomes available on the market, copies begin to appear. Though badly crafted and unreliable, these watches often can appear to look exactly like the real deal. Some are such good imitations they could even confuse a seasoned collector. Spotting forgeries has become increasingly difficult these days, especially with apps like Facebook Marketplace and eBay.
So how does one avoid this pitfall? How do we tell a real from a fake? In this article, we’re going to give you a brief rundown of some of the most basic precautions you should take to protect yourself from peddlers of fake luxury watches.
The Golden Rule
First of all, the Golden Rule. This applies not only when identifying an authentic watch but to pretty much everything else in life:
If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
This point cannot be repeated enough and sadly we’ve probably all fallen for such a con at one time or another. Someone offers us a fantastic luxury watch for an unbelievably low price. We get caught up in the idea of an ‘opportunity not to be missed,’ an ‘unmissable bargain.’ Our hope blinds us to the little tell-tale signs we’re usually aware of. Generally speaking, an authentic luxury watch will not be sold for much less than £175.
The processes of constructing a quality timepiece are rigorous. The craftsmanship involved alone make it almost impossible to find a luxury watch for less than this. However, beware that many forged timepieces may be sold for a higher price. This becomes more common if they are masquerading as one of the more expensive brands of luxury watches.
Look at Quality, Not Price
Of course, a suitable price does not guarantee authenticity. So how do we go about identifying an authentic watch? If you have the physical watch in hand then take a close look at the craftsmanship. It can often reveal many giveaways. On an authentic timepiece, there will often be inscriptions and engravings. These will be perfect with no misspellings. A genuine timepiece will be put through extremely rigorous quality control.
The reputation of the watchmaker rests upon the fact that every single item they make is of the highest quality. If you’re even a little hesitant that something is not correct, that the engraving of the name or serial number is slightly blurred or distorted, then the watch is fake. The quality controllers have incredibly exacting standards and intimate knowledge of the watches produced by the brand.
Another significant pointer is the ‘Cyclops,’ the small magnifying glass above the date indicator. Often on a fake, this will not magnify the date a great deal. On an authentic model, however, the date should be very clear and well magnified. Note the quality of the painted numbers on the date indicator as well. They should also be flawless and this is often an area that is neglected by counterfeiters. If you think something is wrong then a quality controller would have thought so too. Trust you’re instincts.
Know Your Watches
Try to familiarise yourself with the watches you are considering purchasing. Nothing beats a comprehensive understanding of the watch you are thinking of buying. Attempt to keep a catalogue handy that you can refer to. For example, often a fake Rolex watch has a ‘ticking’ second hand rather than a ‘sweeping’ second hand. However, some perfectly authentic models of Rolex break this general rule and have a ‘ticking’ hand. Many brands release ‘special edition’ models which are still authentic yet may stray from the brand’s usual design.
The solution? Know your watch. Especially if you’re after a more high-end luxury timepiece, doing your research is key.
There are many forums dedicated to different watch collections and many list known faults in fakes. Such an exhaustive list is beyond the scope of this article but a simple Google search will provide a plethora of information.
Avoid the Impostors
Another concern is the sale of ‘imposter’ luxury watches. Although not out and out counterfeits these watches are of poor quality and design but profess to be of luxury quality. Once again they often appear to be a ‘great deal’ but in actual fact are of poor design and questionable workmanship.
So how do we tell the difference between a real luxury watchmaker and a company masquerading as one? Any true brand will have a great deal of information concerning themselves on the Internet and catalogues. The ‘imposter’ brands often have little information available other than advertisements.
They will use grandiose and overstated terms to describe their products and often choose impressive-sounding European names, especially Swiss or German. Examples of this sort of company include “Klaus Kobec,” and “Montre Suisse.” Once more, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Reputation Makes the Sale
Finally, the easiest way to be sure that your watch is authentic is to buy from a reputable and well-respected source. Try to avoid buying ‘second-hand’ watches and auction sites like eBay where the reputation of the seller is even slightly in doubt.
By buying from a fully licensed dealer you receive many benefits, not only peace of mind. A 30-day returns policy ensures that if you have any doubt about the watch you have purchased you can return it for a full refund. From a licensed watch dealer you will receive either a 1, 2 or 5-year warranty depending upon the manufacturer. Even if you are still in doubt of the legitimacy of a dealer you can call up the manufacturer themselves; they will confirm whether or not the retailer you are considering buying from is the real deal.
Most of the points discussed in this article will allow you to identify a fake watch, but buying from a licensed watch retailer is the only way to be absolutely sure you receive an authentic luxury timepiece. Take the time to research the brand, the model as well as the retailer you’re considering. At first, it might seem like a lot of time to waste but when buying a timepiece possibly worth thousands, is there really such a thing as too cautious?
First Class Watches is an authorised retailer for over 150 watch brands. If you’re considering purchasing a new watch for yourself or a loved one, don’t hesitate to contact us and learn more about the watches we sell and our guarantees.
Now that you learned ways of identifying an authentic watch, which watch from a luxury brand would you love to buy? Let us know in the comments below.
