Spotting Fakes — Protect Yourself
Modern "super fakes" can fool even experienced collectors.
🚩 RED FLAGS
- Price too good to be true
- Misspellings or uneven dial text
- Rough finishing
- Wrong weight (counterfeits are lighter)
- Ticking second hand on a mechanical watch
- Seller refuses dealer verification
🔍 AUTHENTICATION LEVELS
- Level 1 — Visual: Weight, finishing, dial printing
- Level 2 — Loupe: Movement finishing, engravings, AR coating
- Level 3 — Movement: Open caseback, verify caliber
- Level 4 — Professional: Send to brand or third-party service
🛡 SAFE BUYING CHANNELS
- Authorized Dealers: 100% authentic, full warranty
- Chrono24: "Trusted Checkout" with escrow
- Watchfinder: Owned by Richemont
- Crown & Caliber: Each watch certified