1. Try to compare any watch that is up for auction or sale with pictures from its original makers website. You ‘MUST’ check out the details such as the loops, the ball or arrows on the watch, the bezel insert and displayed numbers and misspelled words for example : – certified wrongly spelled as ‘certified’ on the front face or caseback.

Tips : You can print and bring it to your nearby watch store just to get extra advie or post it / share the picture in any watchforums. Usually people in the forum will give you a quick feedback.

2. Always make sure the warranty cards has its referrence number. If you can check with it’s original watchmaker or publish in a popular forums or website regarding reports on stolen watch just to see if there is any respons. Of course, you must never rush in purchasing online if you want to be safe.

CASE STUDY :IWC : Detecting a fake bezels.

Normally a ‘fake bezels’ are typically printed without any lume. The triangle and numbers are printed in a yellow color to give the appearance of lume. Genuine bezels have a lumed triangle and numbers. Older authentic bezels may not glow very long, but may still energize for a short time if exposed to bright light.

3. Purchase from website or auctions which is included with the owners picture. Maybe some don’t agree with me, but this is to make sure the sellers has an excellent track record or won’t cheat you. Try to request some extra information on the sellers profile.

Ask them to provide you with extra information on where they live, picture or Tax id number. Or try to get them scan their I.D card or Passport and mail them to you, then only you will agree to make the purchase.

IT MAY TAKE LONGER THAN USUAL, BUT THAT IS THE WAY YOU CAN TRACE THEM LATER. IF ITS IS A FALSE PASSPORT, THAT ‘SOMEONE’ MUST BE IN OTHERS WAYS RELATED TO THE ORIGINAL SELLERS’.

Refraining from fakes is not that difficult if proper safety measures are taken. At a quick glance, they might look genuine, but taking a closer look and detailed examination you can see the difference. Elegant brands that come with high-priced tags are common targets of counterfeiters.

When it comes to a genuine Rolex, one noticeable thing that fakers cannot identically copy from an original is its heaviness. This is because fake watches are made of low cost and lighter materials. The smooth running mechanism of the real watch makes no hearable sound. You can conduct a basic test by dropping some water on the crystal surface of the watch. The water will bead collectively on genuine Rolex while the fake one which uses glasses will simply spread over. For more detailed examination, you may use a magnifying glass to see the tiny, but very clear Rolex crown etched just under the six that fakers cannot perfectly duplicate. The hologram sticker that you will find in genuine Rolex case backs is also an easy way of detecting a fake watch. The fakers can emulate hologram stickers, but if you look closer and see it on a lighted position you will notice it is not a true hologram.

Fakers have duplicated Panerais. Many of its counterfeits have E0117/1950 serial on the case back. So, if you see this serial number on the case back, you know the watch is a fake. Original Panerais have rougher straps while replicas have more embroidery stitch. Counterfeits use glass and not real crystal. Better test them in the dark. Fake ones are not as bright as the real one in darksome areas, more noticeable on the word Luminor.

The easiest way to determine if a pressumed Cartier watch is genuine or replica is to see the inside of the back casing. The genuine watch will have its brand name imprinted in the movement which fakers will not attempt to copy. Real Cartiers boast the scratchproof glass, which replicas do not possess. Real watches are quite heavier than the fake watches. Also, check the cabochon stone located on the winder, if it is not there, you know what it is.

With proper know-how of determining a fake watch, you can spot the difference between real watches and replicas. Of course, the best and proven way to make sure the watch you are purchasing is authentic is to buy it only at authorized dealers.