Rolex watches are a symbol of elegance and sophistication, and it is not surprising that they attract many fake manufacturers. It is not easy to distinguish a real watch, but there are some signs to look out for in order to understand what is in front of you: an authentic luxury piece or a cheap imitation. However, if you encounter a fake High Quality professional advice may be needed. This article will help you learn how to distinguish an original from a fake.

Steps

The main signs

Listen for the ticking. The seconds hands of ordinary watches move in jerks and if you listen well, you can hear a quiet ticking. However, the seconds hand of Rolex (and many other watches expensive brands) moves very smoothly and you will not hear the ticking of the second hand. If you hear a ticking sound on a Rolex, it's a fake.

Pay attention to the movement of the second hand. As mentioned, the Rolex seconds hand moves smoothly and does not twitch during operation. Take a close look at the arrows to see if they move perfectly smoothly. Or do they speed up, slow down and twitch? If the second hand does not move smoothly, you have a fake in your hands.

Magnifying lens. Many (but not all) Rolex models have a date display. It is usually located on the right side of the dial (next to the number 3). To make the date easier to see, the manufacturer has placed a small magnifying glass above the date. This lens is difficult to counterfeit, so on many fake watches, this glass only looks magnifying, but if you look closely, it is a regular glass. If the glass above the date indicator does not enlarge the number, then you are holding a fake.

Loosen the crown and turn the hands back to change the date back to yesterday. The date should change after 6 movements, not 12. This feature is almost impossible to copy, so if you do not see it, then the watch is probably fake.

Suspicious lightness. Genuine Rolexes are made with real metal and sapphire crystal, which adds weight and weight to them. Putting them on your wrist or holding them in your hands, you will feel the heaviness. If you have a suspiciously light watch in your hands, then most likely it is forged from light materials.

Transparent back panel. The back panel of some imitations is transparent, which allows you to see the internal mechanisms of the watch. Such a panel should not be under a removable metal cover. None of the original models have this rear panel. Only a few Rolex watches were produced with such panels, but they were not for sale, they could only be seen at exhibitions.

• In this way, counterfeiters are misleading buyers who look at the internal mechanisms of watches and admire their work, not paying attention to the real origin of their purchase.

1. Non-metallic parts. Pick up your watch and examine it. Look at the back panel, it should be smooth high quality metal with no marks. The strap is made of leather or also of high quality metal. If any part of the watch is made of plastic or thin, cheap metal such as aluminum, then you are faced with a fake. All of this indicates how to distinguish real Swiss Watches from a fake. Rolex watches are made from the highest quality materials, the cost of creating a quality watch is not important for their manufacturers.

   • If the back panel looks like metal, but plastic is found under it, then this watch is also a fake.

2. Check the water resistance of the watch. In the right way to determine the original watch is a water resistance test. Everything Rolex watches perfectly sealed, if your watch has leaked even a little water, then this is not a Rolex. To check, put the watch in a glass of water, hold it for a few seconds, and then remove it. A genuine Rolex will continue to function properly and no water droplets will appear on the inside of the glass.

   If other methods have not helped, there is another one. In order to check the quality of the purchased watch, just check the availability of such a model with this company. To do this, visit the Rolex website, which has a catalog of all models with photographs. Find a photo of your watch model and compare. Special attention pay attention to the dial, is everything in place? If your watch has an additional dial (date, chronograph) in the right place? Are the labels identical?

   • Even if you answer "no" to one of the questions, you have a fake. The Rolex company is known for quality, in the products of this company there are extremely rare shortcomings.

   Minor signs

   1. Serial number. Some fakes are of very high quality and are difficult to distinguish from the real ones. To determine the authenticity of a watch, you have to study the smallest details, which is a very difficult job. First, find serial number hours. To do this, you will need to remove the strap. It is necessary to pick up a thin object and bring the pin to the side. If you find it difficult to do this, you can entrust this business to professionals. The serial number is located between the "paws" under the number 6 on the dial.

      Note the crown at number six. Since the early 2000s, Rolex has been engraving its signature crown emblem directly onto the sapphire crystal. If your watch was made during this period, you will find this small distinctive mark. Use a magnifying glass to examine the glass around the number 6. The crown will be exactly the same as on the top of the dial, but smaller... Micro-engraving is very small, so it is not easy to see it. You can see it if you tilt the watch at a special angle.

      Dial inscriptions. Another distinguishing mark of the originals is the high-quality inscriptions that lie flat around the dial. Check them with a magnifying glass. The inscriptions must be clear, thin and free from defects. In addition, they must be engraved on the metal dial. If the inscriptions appear to be painted or printed, it is a fake.

      • This engraving is done on the Oyster series of Rolex watches. Cellini watches have a non-standard design (rectangular dial, etc.), so they may not have such engraving.

   2. Pay attention to the quality of the logo on the dial. Almost all (but not all) Rolex watches have a branded emblem on the dial, which is located next to the number 12. By examining it under a magnifying glass, you can also distinguish a fake from the original. The emblem is made of high quality metal. The circles at the edges of the crown are convex. The luster of the crown contour should be different from the rest of the crown. If the crown on your watch looks cheap and of poor quality, then the watch itself is of the same quality.

      Clear inscriptions on the dial. Rolex watches are renowned for excellence. Even a small flaw will indicate that your watch is not genuine. Check the inscriptions on the dial with a magnifying glass. Each number or letter must be neatly printed. The distance between words and numbers must be the same. If you notice even a slight irregularity in the inscriptions, this is a fake.

      • Any misspelling or misspelling also indicates that the watch is not genuine.

   Seller reliability

   1. Avoid poor quality packaging. Everything about Rolex must be flawless and elegant. This also applies to packaging. Genuine Rolex watches are packaged in quality boxes containing watch mounts as well as a small cleaning cloth. Each element of the packaging must bear the Rolex logo and name. The watch comes with a warranty card and instructions. If your watch does not have any of the above, it is fake.

      • You shouldn't buy watches from street vendors, they don't have original packaging and there is no guarantee.
   2. Sometimes, even knowing all the signs, it is almost impossible to distinguish an original from a fake. In this case, an experienced jeweler or watch seller can help you: he will pay attention to details that are invisible to the eye of the layman. If you are familiar with this specialist, he / she will probably evaluate the authenticity of your watch for free. Otherwise, you will have to pay quite a fee for the service. high price although quite reasonable compared to the cost of a real Rolex watch.

   3. Ready.

   • Take your watch to a Rolex service center. They will open the watch and tell you if it is a real product or a fake.
   • Search for the purchased model and its serial number on Google. Compare the signs original model with the signs of the watch you purchased.
   • Check also the watch box. For fakes, the box looks wooden, but in fact it is made of a material like chipboard, the pillow inside the box is made of a cheap-looking material.
   • Pay attention to the seller. Signs of a fake may be that the seller says he bought the watch abroad or was given it as a gift.

Asked - we answer.

Alas, universal recipe no. This is because the counterfeit watch industry is diverse. Nevertheless, it is almost always possible to identify a fake, without making any super efforts for this. One of the first criteria (when it comes to buying a watch) is the price. Fakes or copies that pass off as real watches are often sold cheaper than the original, this should alert you. As well as the lack of papers, boxes and photos of the back cover.

The main universal rule number 1: always doubt!

They try to sell fakes (replicas) even on watch forums and on specialized sites for the sale of watches, not to mention ordinary sites on the Internet. If in doubt, contact the connoisseurs, they will help you determine if the watch is real in the photo. You can even refer to the forums of fans of fakes - they can often help even faster (after all, they are specialists there in this matter :). By the way, even doubt about cheap watches - the Chinese even make fakes of plastic Luminox or cheap Fossil (trashy quality can be seen right away).

If you doubt whether your interlocutor / friend / girl has a real watch, just compare their income and opportunities, and the approximate cost of the watch. Agree, it is unlikely that a man in cheap boots and a briefcase made of leatherette can afford a Rolex, and a girl on the subway with a phone for 2,000 rubles most likely wears a copy of Hublot with fake diamonds.

Well rule number 2: take a closer look at the second hand... If it is quartz (and most fakes, especially cheap and massive ones, have a quartz movement), and the original assumes mechanics, then this is the owner of the “pale”.

However, we are not always dealing with cheap fakes that are sold in buckets in Thailand. There are also those that bring to clean water very, very difficult. The best way out here is to turn to experts. Otherwise, you will have to seriously rummage through the Internet (and as an option - go to a watch store and "touch" the original personally).

There is another way out: take a closer look at the clock. Even if you are not a connoisseur of Audemars Piguet or Rolex, you can find some "joints" that are inherent in all fakes. Typically, a replica is given by curves and / or incorrectly positioned inscriptions, an offset and / or too deeply set date window, incorrectly positioned chronograph elements on the dial, dust / dirt on the dial, a cheap strap with curved stitching, distortions in convex glasses. This is something that can often be seen in the photo. Well, the mechanism is the simplest part of the replica to identify differences from the original. Moreover, even if you have not seen real mechanism, forgery is usually given by uneven inscriptions. It is clear that "to take a closer look" means to examine a photo or turn the watch in your hands, just a passing glance at the watch may not be enough. So be careful.

So let's take 2 examples.

Example 1 - Rolex.

And here you can see a burr at the mark at 12 o'clock: they forgot to file with a file :)
Bracelet made of tin a la Amphibian. Yes, these are the fakes 🙂 Well, the "cover" is ripped off: inside, apparently, there is brass

What's wrong here? Yes, a lot of things. First, they are too new for a vintage watch. Secondly, the bracelet in the style of the East is definitely not the case of a real Rolex. Next, we look at the difference in the color of the phosphor on the marks and arrows. Also pay attention to the burr at the 12 o'clock position. If this is not enough, we look at the bald spot on the bracelet and the curved stamping on the clasp.

However, this is not the most best fake, here it is quite simple to define "pale".

Example 2 - Panerai 388.

Everything is more complicated here. The processing of the case is very good, general form hours - like real ones. What to do?

The simplest thing is to look at the strap, it can give us a fake. Fake straps always worse quality than the originals. We look at the quality of the leather, at the stitching.

As for the tsifer, there is one jamb that is noticeable even to a non-professional - the minute hand is set slightly crooked. She kind of looks up. This, by the way, common mistake replica manufacturers. What else? We look at the date window, it is slightly deeper than the original. The date itself is also slightly closer to the upper border of the window.

Well, glass. Glasses for Panerai are thicker in the middle and narrower at the edges (so that there is no distortion), manufacturers of "replicas" often neglect this fact to save money. This fake has glass of different thickness, but there is still minimal distortion. And, most importantly, the glass is set crookedly - in one part it is at the level with the body, and in the other - 1 mm higher.

We deliberately didn't talk about mechanisms. Why? Because the mechanism is the last thing you see. If the watch is on your wrist, you will definitely not consider it. If watches are sold on the Internet, then they often try not to show the mechanism. And finally, not everyone is able to distinguish a fake mechanism, without being experts in this field. However, there is a similar rule here: look at the quality of the inscriptions, they are usually inferior even on top fakes.

The swiss made lettering is almost as executed as the original. But this, alas, can only be distinguished by the pros
Feel free to ask experts on the forums: how to distinguish a fake? Is this a fake watch in the sales section on ... (insert required)

If in Soviet times, the citizens of our country collected only stamps, badges and coins of the states of the socialist camp (there were exceptions, of course - collectors of antiques, icons and avant-garde painting - but few of these lovers of rarities did not advertise their hobby for a number of reasons, but from the state often hidden), then after the collapse of the USSR, the situation changed. Over the past twenty years, a fairly solid layer of people has formed in Russia, willingly investing money in the purchase and collection of expensive watches, jewelry and accessories. And no matter how different the collectibles may be - a painting by Lentulov or a watch from a limited edition Vacheron Constantin - but those who wish to possess them have a common problem: quite real danger in search of a coveted item, purchase a fake on the secondary market.

While they go

The number of watch collectors in Russia, although inferior to the number of watch lovers in the USA and China, for example, is very significant and continues to grow. They talk about the watch on television and on YouTube, write in the media and social networks. Novice collectors are sometimes discouraged by prices for new collections in branded boutiques of watch manufacturers and distributors, or they want to find models from collections of past years that are no longer in official stores... In this case, they are looking for what they want in vintage and antiques stores or at online auctions, where a so-called "replica of branded watches" awaits them, which is essentially a fake.

Waiting right there - forgeries "from the transition", penny copies famous models a collector certainly won't buy. Even a novice collector who is not too versed in watch intricacies, but at least held in his hands genuine Rolex, Panerai or Cartier, no doubts will arise. Anyone who has ever visited a branded boutique of these brands or other companies of the same price segment cannot even think that, say, a chronograph from a luxury manufacturer can cost 100 or 200 euros.

Problems may arise not in the transition, but when buying from hands on the Internet or in a vintage store. Sometimes fakes are of very high quality, especially when it comes to a collectible model, which fraudsters are trying to sell for a very significant amount. Swiss manufacturers of luxury watches have been “developing” their know how for decades, if not centuries, and it is not easy to counterfeit them, even if we are talking only about the case, not to mention the mechanism, especially with complications.

In order to avoid counterfeiting, watch manufactories come up with miniature details of the dial, hands, mechanism, which are very difficult to copy. For example, the Breguet watch dial has an engraved inscription - the name of the house, which can only be seen under a very strong magnifying glass, turning the watch at a certain angle.

However, looking at the clock under a magnifying glass is already the second stage. “The first thing to check before buying is not the watch, but the accompanying documents,” advises the watch expert and collector. “Sometimes just studying them will be enough to identify a suspicious model. Compliance of the attached documents with the model year of manufacture, their completeness, full compliance packing box the declared year of manufacture of the watch. Great if presented additional documents... An extract from the archive, a receipt from a store, papers confirming the sale of watches or putting up for auction. "

In reputable auction houses - Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Phillips - the provenance (history of creation and resale) of things is tracked and confirmed by highly qualified experts. Expect the same from, of course, not worth it. A collector, if he is serious about the matter, must be an inquisitive person with a good memory. The fact is that the manufacturers themselves change from collection to collection not only the watch models, but also the packaging design and the form of documents.

Therefore, when buying a historical model, it is advisable to know how the box and certificates should have looked exactly in the year of its release. But trying to determine the authenticity of the movement on your own is not worth it - it is better to contact a professional watchmaker who has already dealt with watches of the brand selected by the collector. The watchmaker will immediately determine whether the watch is a real Swiss movement or a Chinese fake.

Photo: Paula Bronstein / Getty Images

Experts of manufactories can also advise their clients on the authenticity of 20-30-year-old watches. “The IWC company, rightfully proud of its rich historical past and highly demanded by collectors, offers the service of establishing the authenticity of their models,” comments Roman Belov. - Highly collectible models such as the Mark IX, X or XI, the World War II Observer's Watch or the original Portugieser from the 1930s and 1940s can be presented for inspection at Schaffhausen, where five experts, independently of each other, after examination case, mechanism, their numbers, records in the archive will make their own judgment on the possibility of considering these watches as original. In case of coincidence of opinions, a “Certificate of authenticity” is issued.

According to the expert, you can learn to understand the clock on your own only through constant self-education. You need to read special literature, catalogs, visit brand boutiques and watch exhibitions. Collectors and watchmakers exchange information on special forums on the Internet, where you can show your colleagues in hobby photos of watches and get advice and warnings from them, indications of discrepancies with the original, if the model seems suspicious.

Immodest handkerchief

A similar story with accessories. One of the most gambling collectibles in this segment is scarves, or, as they are called in French, the Hermes square. The house releases new collections of scarves every season, from time to time the bestsellers are reissued in new colors or with a change in design. The demand for scarves gave rise to their copying.

“If the first fakes five or seven years ago were mostly of rather weak quality and were notable for sloppy execution, gross mistakes in the application of the pattern, flaws in the final processing, then in the last two or three years, at first glance, almost indistinguishable replicas of scarves have appeared, - comments the collector Alexander Tsybin, the owner of one of the world's three largest collections of rare Hermes scarves. “The print quality is getting higher, but it is digital anyway, and this can be seen on close examination. Everything better quality fake care tags and hemming. Replicas and vintage designs have appeared, so when buying a scarf you need to pay attention to many details. Only on the basis of the totality of signs can one conclude whether the original is this or that scarf or a copy. "

See original scarves novice collectors can learn about rare designs and learn their history from albums published by the house of Hermes, as well as at the exhibition of Tsybin's collection “The Silk Labyrinth”, which will open to the public in the St. Petersburg KGallery in early June.

Alexander points to several signs by which, first of all, one can distinguish the original from a fake.

- The size of a genuine square is as close as possible to 90 by 90 centimeters (this is the size of a classic square, the assortment of the house also includes shawls of other sizes, for example, 70 by 70).

Silk of dense twill weave (on close inspection, a thin diagonal rib is visible).

The print of the picture is dense, homogeneous, opaque, without whitish spots, the joints of the paints are clear, without gaps and sagging.

The original heel, in contrast to the digital one, appears on the inside of the scarf, the pattern is clearly visible.

In digital printing, ink lays down thin layer, pixels are visible, the image looks "torn".

The distance between the letters in the inscriptions should be equal, the lines do not "dance".

The original Hermes bob is cut by hand only, the roller is wrapped on the front side, the stitches on the back side are neat, barely noticeable.

The butt joint at the corners is only butt, a careless overlap is a sign of a fake.

The handkerchiefs do not have paper tags attached to a care tag, and there are no "certificates of authenticity" in the box. The design of the box of the square has changed insignificantly since the 30s, when they began to be produced, but nevertheless, experts can distinguish a genuine vintage box from a remake.

The authenticity of the so-called it-bag is very expensive bags recognizable designs from renowned fashion houses - and others - is set using identification numbers. Unfortunately, many old vintage bags do not have such numbers, and brand boutiques in Russia, as a rule, do not provide official opinions regarding the authenticity of items purchased elsewhere.

However, long-term clients of the boutique abroad can count on a private consultation. If we are talking about exclusive models of the same Hermes, for example, about Birkin bags, made by special order in a single copy, then they are usually purchased at the auctions of well-known auction houses, where experts trace the provenance.

You cannot do without consulting with specialists (jewelers, gemologists) and when buying vintage jewelry of collectible value from well-known brands. Even if the jewelry is sold with original documents, it is necessary to check, for example, whether it has been replaced original stones framed for less valuable or fake, for which you need special equipment and qualifications.

B�1. Surface copies, at a price of 100 - 600 rubles:

This watch has a lot of disadvantages that are obvious upon close examination. Numbers and serifs can be offset, slightly rotated along the axis. The edges of the inscriptions most often slightly "float", that is, they have irregularities. There are examples on which the chronograph hands are simply drawn in the same way as the numbers. Dials for such watches are often made of cardboard. It is difficult to detect at the first examination. But on the other hand, if the clock accidentally falls a small amount of water or even steam, the shortage will be revealed instantly.

As a rule, there is no engraving on the case of such watches at all. But sometimes there are very rough inscriptions "Swiss made" and even "Made in Switzerland" (such marking is not provided by the manufacturers of Swiss watches). The body itself may have a coating that begins to "peel off" from the very beginning.

The straps of such watches are made of leatherette and are not neatly executed. When bending the strap, pronounced folds and wrinkles are formed. The stitching is uneven, threads stick out in places. On the inside, there are either obscure inscriptions or nothing at all.

The bracelets of such watches also bear traces of handicraft - rough stamps, poor polishing of the inner side. The outer side of them is often covered with paint, which, due to inaccuracy, also gets on the inner side.

The mechanism of such watches is usually Chinese. Their service life is short. Often, watches of this quality do not even try to counterfeit famous brands, but invent their own. However, we have seen 100-ruble Rado and 200-ruble Tissot and Rolex. To distinguish such a fake is not difficult for any person.

2. Good copies, at a price of 700 - 2500 rubles: These fakes can already be compared with the original. Actually, the external differences between the copies of this group consist precisely in minor deviations from the canon. And also, of course, in the quality and origin of the mechanism.

If you have seen the original watch many times, you can always identify a fake by the location and style of the marks. The labels are positioned slightly higher or slightly lower than necessary. The paint on the marks may be uneven or slightly rubbed off in some places. The shape of the arrows may also differ from the original.

On the cases and bracelets of such watches, the non-uniform imprinting of the inscriptions is noticeable. Counterfeiters use flat stamps to print on curved surfaces. Therefore, the imprinting depth is not the same for them. The stamps are rarely changed, from time to time their edges can be erased. Therefore, the extreme letters of the words and the protruding elements of the letters themselves are not printed clearly enough.

The cases of fake gold watches in this category are usually made of brass and with poor-quality gold plating. Over time, the gilding will begin to peel off. But at first, this flaw is difficult to detect.

Cases of release of watches in this category under fictitious brands are rare, but there are curiosities with perversion of models. Some fakes may not have any proprietary prototypes at all. There are known cases of sale of Franck Muller watches from 1932. Whereas maestro Frank Muller himself, the founder and chief designer of the company, was born in 1958. And the company that received his name was created only in 1992.

As for the mechanism of such watches, depending on the price, it can be both Chinese and Japanese and even partially Swiss (basic mechanisms are often the object of smuggling, as a result of which their cost is significantly reduced). Cases of changing the nature of the mechanism are widespread. For example, the original watch has an automatic movement, while the replica of the same model is equipped with a quartz movement. Sellers of such watches often "stand up", insisting that this is "such a modification" of a Swiss watch. At the same time, they can safely tell you that the watch was made in Dubai or even in ... Finland, but "under a Swiss license".

Determining which mechanism is installed in the watch you are considering is very simple: the second hand quartz watch moves in leaps from division to division, while in mechanical watch it shifts smoothly.

The straps of such watches can be either good enough or very rough. It should be understood that the better the copy is made, the more expensive it is for the artisan to produce it. Therefore, counterfeiters are trying to save on everything.

3. Exact copies, at a price of 3000 - 18000 rubles (some of them can be inlaid with diamonds of low purity):

High-precision copies of elite watches are usually called replicas. These watches, as a rule, are almost indistinguishable from the original, except that they are not produced in their own factory in Switzerland. Making an exact copy costs a lot of money, so the price of such watches is usually quite high.

The processing of the case of such a watch usually accurately reproduces the characteristics of the original. The parts of the case to be polished are polished, and the parts that are to be polished are sanded. Housings can be made from precious metals(silver, rarely gold). And even be inlaid with precious stones.

Fake jewelry watches tend to have poor diamond setting. In order to identify defects in the setting of stones, it is enough to slide your finger along the bezel with diamonds. In a real watch, all stones have the same embedment depth. None of them sink or protrude. The diamonds themselves are not well cut, may contain inclusions and have a grayish-yellow tint. However, the color of the stone is very difficult to determine by eye. Even with a model in front of him, not every person is able to do this. But a specialist will recognize such a substitution with one quick glance.

Replica marking usually meets all the requirements of the original. But there may also be instances without a serial or catalog number. On the crown of many expensive models, there is an embossed emblem of a brand or a specific series. For Rolex, this is an obligatory crown, which is modified on a fake watch. Longines' Flagship series has an image of a frigate on the crown, which is repeated on the case back, while other models have the company's logo engraved on the crown.

To recognize an exact copy, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the original in more detail. Experts say that there are no or almost no copies that would be impossible to distinguish. After all, such a fake would cost absolutely fantastic money. And saving money in production always turns around, albeit subtle, shortcomings.

Some companies provide their watches with security features like watermarks on banknotes. For example, recently it became known that the Breguet company makes a cryptography on the dial, which can be seen only at a certain viewing angle. But these signs are kept secret, and not even available to all professionals.

In general, we can say that it is extremely difficult to recognize a high-quality replica that is passed off as an original. Without a detailed examination, including opening the case and inspecting the mechanism, the probability of error is extremely high even for a specialist. However, the autopsy reveals everything. General manager the old Swiss watch company Jaquet Droz Manuel Emsch says that the easiest way to determine the authenticity of a Swiss watch is by opening the lid. "The elegance and beauty of the movement is what confirms the originality." In addition, the details of the original mechanisms are branded with brand marks.

Anna Lyubimova September 3, 2018 9:31 pm

Swiss watches are considered the best in the world. They are expensive and luxurious, chic and prestigious, status and refined. They are worn by the wealthy on the Forbes list, popular athletes, film and television stars, high-profile politicians and oil tycoons. However, modern manufacturers with the aim of easy money do not hesitate to counterfeit genuine chronometers from Switzerland... In order not to deceive yourself and not waste your money, you need to know how to distinguish an original Swiss watch from a fake.

Types of fakes

Nowadays masters have learned to forge watches so carefully that it is difficult for an inexperienced person to distinguish real watches from genuine products. In addition, there are two types of "fakes" on the market: copies and replicas. Copy is inexpensive low quality models with a lot of flaws that can be seen even with the naked eye.

Low-quality materials are selected for the straps, there are dents or distortions on the cases, the mechanism is disposable and cannot be repaired

A replica is a highly acclaimed replica with excellent workmanship. The straps of these models are made of good materials, and the mechanisms are characterized by reliability and quality factor. However, replicas are not made by Swiss companies and they are located in other states. Such a watch inlaid with stones although precious, but not of the highest quality, and their fastening leaves much to be desired. Replicas are produced by professionals.

Stylish Men's Watch with roman dial

The manufacture of chronometers requires high-quality materials, therefore, products will cost more than copies, but cheaper than original chronometers. Most replicas are produced by Egypt and Turkey. They can be determined by the only criterion - the number of models available in the store's assortment. If you are only asked to choose multiple watch options and all of them are gold, rest assured - these are not original products. The manufacturer of real watches supplies a wider range of products to certified stores and boutiques.

Choosing a genuine chronometer: what should you pay attention to right away?

It should be remembered that high-quality and authentic watches from Swiss manufacturers can only be purchased in brand boutiques. In ordinary stores or by hand, they usually sell replicas or, even worse, cheap Chinese fakes.

If you see a beautiful chronometer at a point of sale, and the seller assures you that it is true Swiss quality, then the first thing you should pay attention to is the inscriptions on the products. So, often on the dial and sometimes on another visible element of genuine Swiss watches, there must be Swiss Made or Swiss engraving.

If you saw the phrase Swiss Parts, it means that exclusively Swiss spare parts were used for the production of watches.

The inscription Swiss Movement or Swiss Quartz is evidence that the chronograph is made in another country, but in its manufacture were used Swiss mechanisms. In this case, the model can be considered Swiss conventionally, however, the quality of such chronometers is better than that of many popular manufacturers.

Whatever the seller tells you, remember that genuine Swiss chronographs are assembled exclusively in Switzerland. There, every product is exposed to close control quality. The watch movement must also be Swiss, but it is allowed to use about half of the components produced in another country.

If you were shown a piece engraved with the word Geneva, it means that this is an extremely expensive exclusive chronometer. the highest quality... For such hours no promotions, discounts or discount programs.

Engraving on Swiss watches

How to distinguish an original Swiss chronometer from replicas and cheap imitations?

When buying an obscenely expensive watch, make sure that it is indeed a model made by Swiss watchmakers in Switzerland, and not the cheapest replica passed off as a priceless branded product:

1. Frame... Typically world famous trade marks for its production use silver or gold and never use brass or other cheap alloy.
2. A bracelet... Its quality, shade and texture should be on the very high level... If the model is equipped with a leather strap, then it must be elastic, durable, elastic and natural. Pay attention to the color - it must be uniform. You will not find any defects on such bracelets.
3. Stones... The originals are encrusted exclusively with precious or semi-precious stones, impeccable in shade and cut and set at the same depth.
4. Mechanism... Genuine chronographs have an automatic movement, while fake ones are supplied with a quartz movement.
5. Marking... Good fakes mark according to all requirements, however, there are products that do not have a catalog number. If you intend to buy the original of a certain brand, then study exactly how its labeling looks like, what features are different.
6. Emblem... Popular brands have a unique logo that is recognizable among users. Place it directly on the watch case. It is possible to distinguish a copy from a fake only after a careful study of the original logo on the Internet or in the company's catalog.
7. Protection... Some famous manufacturers watches provide their original models with special signs of protection, in the same way as money is protected watermark banknotes... Whether the watch of your chosen brand has any protection, you need to study before making a purchase.
8. Package... Original chronometers are always packed in a branded box with full package accompanying documents. For the production of the box, they use gold stamping, morocco.

In addition, the bottom of the package is provided with information about the manufacturer.

What else should you pay attention to?

When choosing a genuine Swiss watch, pay attention to its function. Fakes are devoid of some of them. Therefore, first find out what options the chronometer of the label you decide to buy should have. Besides, hands of quality chronographs they float on the dial, and do not jump like the copies.

Genuine Swiss watches are stylish and multifunctional

Characteristics of Swiss counterfeit watches

Inexperienced buyers often confuse low-grade Chinese knockoffs with quality replica Swiss watches. There are significant differences between the products of these categories. If a genuine chronometer is too expensive for you, but you can afford an expensive and good replica, then it is worth knowing how to distinguish it from cheap disposable watches made in China.

Chinese models can be seen with the naked eye, since they have a huge number of flaws. Often they have brass bodies, notches, numbers on the dial are displaced, inscriptions are different uneven edges, you may notice smudges of paint or glue. Looking more closely, you will see irregularities and distortions on the product.

On chinese watch either there is no engraving at all, or they say Made in Switzerland, which is absolutely unacceptable for real Swiss chronometers

The straps are made of budget alloys or leather substitute, which in some cases is unnecessary treated with flavoring genuine leather... Explore the bracelet Chinese counterfeiting, and you will notice that rough stamps are made on it, and it is poorly sanded. Since the mechanisms of such clocks are also produced in the Middle Kingdom, they do not last long.

More important points

To make sure that you are buying a replica and not a copy from China, inspect the case of the proposed product. Its processing will almost accurately reproduce the original. Cases are made of expensive metals and decorated with precious stones. The only difference here may be their location. V original product stones placed on one level, in the replica some elements may be located higher. It is enough to run your hand over the surface of the replica Swiss chronograph case to be convinced of this.

The replica differs from the original in that a low-quality movement is integrated into it, due to which the model will not work for long. However, unlike a replica, such chronometers can be repaired.

Replica Swiss watches

How to protect yourself from buying a fake?

Even after carefully studying the information on recognizing original watches and fakes, you can make a mistake and buy a copy. If you are not sure what to do right choice, then first go for a consultation with a disinterested specialist, for example, a lover of watchmaking or a collector.

Going to the boutique, bring along latest releases catalogs of Vacheron Constantin, Cartier, Rolex and other brands to compare the proposed model with the original. Do not buy watches in unknown places. It is better to do this in the official stores of the company.