The wristwatch first debuted in the 19th century as a decorative bracelet for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary. It was later used in the 19th and 20th century as a strategic tool to coordinate military efforts in World War I. Since then, it has become a ubiquitous accessory for all.
High-end watches remain in a league of their own. Known for their superior quality and detailed perfection, the world’s best luxury watches can cost you a pretty penny.
It’s no surprise then that the market is flooded with counterfeit watches posturing as the real deal. So how can you tell if your watch is a fake?
Is My Watch a Replica?
Here are 7 tips for determining authenticity of your watch:
Are there visible errors?
First things first, when you look at your watch are there glaring errors that make your watch an obvious fake?
Check things like the spellings of words and the logo placement. Common errors in fakes are misspelled words and logos that are not centered properly. Try using a magnifying glass to check the fine print.
Try using a magnifying glass to check the fine print.
Is the engraving clear-cut?
A real watch will have well-defined finishes. Substandard engravings on the display are a tell-tale sign that your watch is not the real deal. Use a magnifying glass to check for sandy or misshapen engravings; these should be perfectly cut.
Can you hear it tick?
How does the watch sound? Can you hear it tick? This may be another sign of fraud. The only time you should hear your watch tick is if you bring it close to your ear; high-quality watches are built to function at an extremely low volume.
Is the watch fully functional?
Luxury watches are renowned for their superb functionality. What’s more, they are built to do more than tell the time. When checking to see if your watch is real, make sure you check that all of the watch’s functions are a) present b) working. Do the subdials and helium release valves work well? What about the chronograph and time zone settings? These basics might seem obvious but are often overlooked.
Does it feel light?
Next, consider the weight of the watch. Luxury watches are significantly heavier than their fake counterparts. This is due to the differences in weight of precious metals such as gold, silver and stainless steel used to make high-end watches compared to the cheaper, lighter base metals used in fakes.
Did it come with a certificate of authenticity?
The best way guarantee authenticity is the certificate of authenticity.
This usually comes in some of documentation from the manufacturer or dealer – think warranty cards, warranty certificates, etc – showing information like serial number of the watch.
With this paperwork, you can feel confident about its legitimacy.
How much did it cost?
When it comes to the price of luxury watches, the sky’s the limit. Premium timepieces are at their lowest, worth thousands of dollars. That is to be expected when the watches are being hand-manufactured with the finest quality of materials. So if when you were buying the watch the price felt too good to be true, it probably was.
Get your watch appraised
Still not sure whether you’ve got the real thing? Why not have your watch physically examined by experts at an official, authorized retailer? With our history dating back to the 1960’s, Twery’s has been a leader in the South Florida jewelry and pre-owned timepiece industry for quite some time. If you have watches – rare, old, or brand new – bring them into Twery’s to have them appraised.