How To Tell If A Watch Is Fake

by James · Published November 28, 2022 · Updated August 7, 2022

Buying a watch online has never been easier or more convenient, especially when you can buy directly from your favorite brands or trusted retailers. But what if you see a great deal on a watch from a store you’ve never heard of? What if there’s an online seller offering a watch for a really low price? Can you trust these sellers and stores, or should you pony up the extra money and just buy it genuine? With the amount of scams these days, there is no doubt you have come across a fake watch or two in your browsing.

Fake watches are always going to be a concern, especially seeing how easy it can be to scam others on the internet. While there are plenty of buyer protection systems in place for websites like eBay, dealing with a fake watch is never a fun. So in this post, we’re going to cover a few tips to help you determine if a watch is fake or not, and also some general safety tips when purchasing a watch online.

The Unboxing Experience

Opening up a new watch is like unwrapping a present. It’s an experience that feels premium and should never give you the feeling that you’re opening up something cheap. Packaging is usually a huge indication of whether a watch is fake or not, and there are several things to look out for.

The box itself should be sturdy and solid. If it’s flimsy or feels a little too light, then it may be a fake.
The print on the box should be clear and aligned properly. If the font is a little blurry or the text itself is off-angle, then it could indicate a poor printing job and thus a fake.
The information inside should be printed correctly and contain no spelling errors. Take a look for the warranty and see what it says.
If the box looks different from what you’ve seen online or in unboxing videos, then it’s likely a fake watch or a replica.

Keep in mind that if you’re buying a watch from a private seller, they may not have the original box to put the watch in. If this is the case, you can still ask for official documentation or proof of purchase to show that the watch is genuine.

The Difference in Weight

A fake watch is often much lighter than a genuine one. This is because a quality watch is made from precious stones and metals that are built for durability. With so many small moving parts inside of a watch, it’s important to ensure that the insides will last a very long time. Ordinary watches, replicas, and fakes often use cheaper components because they’re not as serious about the longevity of the watch. As a result, cheaper watches will be noticeably lighter.

However, it can be tough to determine if a watch is real or not unless you have a genuine one to compare with a replica or fake. As such, we suggest physically handling some watches if possible, such as going to a local watch store or retailer. This will give you a better understanding of how a watch feels in the hand and the approximate weight that you can expect.

The Quality of the Watch

Handling watches can also help you determine the overall quality of one. Replicas tend to have visible differences when compared to a real watch. For example, the edges might not be as smooth or as polished as a genuine watch, and it may even have incorrect markings or engravings. The difference in materials can also change the overall color of the watch. This could be due to a lack of polish, low-quality materials, or even completely different materials being used.

While replicas are certainly getting closer and closer to their genuine counterparts, there are always going to be subtle differences between them. We suggest taking a look at pictures and high-quality videos of the watch that you want to buy and then comparing it to the watch that you believe could be a fake watch.

The Specifications of the Watch

It’s also worth mentioning the specifications of the watch. This includes things like the movement, watch strap type, case materials, water resistance, the glass used, and even the buckles. While fake watches will always list the same specification as the genuine model, there are an increasing number of honest replica makers and distributors that will list different specifications.

While these watches are sold as replicas, there are some private sellers and stores that might try to pass them off as the real deal. As such, checking the specification is a good way to identify if you’re being sold a replica.

Some other things to look out for are colorways, strap types, and features. Some replicas may be offered in different colors or materials to differentiate themselves from genuine watches, and there may be visible changes such as a simplified or different logo to ensure they won’t get sued by the official brand.

The Model and Serial Numbers

Another simple way to tell if a watch is fake or genuine is to check the model and serial numbers. These two numbers are great for checking if a watch is genuine or not, and you can look for model numbers on the internet to see what genuine model and serial numbers should be.

Since these are assigned by the brand, they should be easy to track. Serial numbers are also commonly printed on both the watch and the packaging that the watch comes with, so if these numbers match you know it’s a genuine watch.

The Price

Lastly, it’s a good idea to use common sense when it comes to the price of a watch. Brands rarely have discount offers and they’re usually not large percentages. There is a possibility of haggling prices down, especially if you’re at a dealer or buying from a private seller. However, if the price being offered is under half of the regular price, then it’s probably either a replica or a fake.

In short, if it’s too good to be true then there’s a good chance that the watch is fake and you should avoid it.