A luxury watch is a symbol of status for many but it is also just a beautiful and functional way to compliment an outfit.
Many people are not overly concerned with whether their watch cost $10,000 or not.
As such, many people with more average salaries opt for reasonably-priced watches that look great and mimic those high-end luxury watches.
Unfortunately, that comes in two varieties; you can find genuine original works that cut corners here and there for a reasonable price tag or you can fall victim to the counterfeit/replica market that just flat-out rips people off.
There is nothing wrong with buying a reasonably priced watch but today, we want to give you some pointers to avoid fakes.
They are everywhere and when you get one, it is a massive disappointment.
Identifying Counterfeit or “Replica” Watches
First, let’s get something out of the way. The word “counterfeit” does not inspire confidence in buyers.
So, many manufacturers creating counterfeit watches will sneak in the term “replica”.
It sounds like they are being upfront and transparent but it is the exact same concept, and you are still getting ripped off.
So, we won’t differentiate in this guide. Luckily, there are some ways to tell whether you are buying a rip-off or the real deal.
Always check for these key points when buying a luxury watch.
1. Check the Price
Unfortunately, it does not matter what excuse a seller gives you, you are not getting a $20,000 luxury watch for $500.
This is the most common and easy-to-spot clue that you are getting ripped off.
The fact is, luxury watch owners are not going to let valuable pieces leave their collection at such high discounts.
They will want to get as much of the item’s value as possible.
Retailers certainly won’t let go of such high-end pieces at steep discounts or they will go bankrupt.
When you see a deal that is too good to be true, the watch probably costs about $25 to make and they are selling it at a massive markup hoping someone who does not know what they are doing will gladly pay it.
That does not mean you should expect to pay full MSRP on real luxury watches, though.
They lose market value all the time, some sellers will issue reasonable discounts on watches that are not quick to sell, etc.
You can get a deal. Just have a reasonable mindset about how good that deal should realistically be.
2. Defects and Obvious Quality Issues
Luxury watches are made with pride. They DO NOT leave the manufacturer’s establishment unless they are perfect.
A luxury watch brand successfully sells its watches at such high prices not because of the materials used but because of the brand’s reputation for craftsmanship.
Letting defective or subpar watches get out to customers is catastrophic for brands built on perfection and quality.
If you see metal coatings peeling, scratches on the glass of a supposedly new watch, fogginess in the glass, poorly set pins and pieces or anything else that does not look perfectly crafted, you likely have a fake.
The only exception is if you are buying the watch second-handed from an irresponsible owner who does not take proper care of the watch.
However, considering how much true luxury watches cost, that is highly unlikely and you might just be buying a second-handed counterfeit.
3. Features Inconsistent with Known-Legitimate Models
Finally, the best way to tell if you have a fake is if you compare it to one that is real and there are differences.
For example, if you are being sold a Rolex and you look up an identical model online, you might see that the font of the Rolex name is different.
Maybe the name is centered differently or certain features are lined up just slightly incorrectly, you are likely dealing with a fake.
This can be difficult to do, and it takes time if you do not know what you are doing.
There are amazing counterfeits out there that look practically identical to the real deal.
The only difference might be a slightly different pin placement or the shade of a certain metal might be slightly off.
Those near-perfect recreations are usually the ones that sell at high prices.
So, it is important to look for the tiny differences instead of just the obvious ones.
Is It Okay to Wear a Counterfeit Watch?
We get it. Maybe you really like the look of a Rolex Diver’s watch but you do not have the income to justify buying one.
So, you buy a “replica”. You know what it is and you’re okay with it not being real. You are not investing in it, anyway. Is that okay?
Well, there are a couple of ways to look at it. First, it is not illegal for you to own it or wear it.
The manufacturer is likely breaking trademark and copyright laws but you do not have much to worry about unless you are out there selling fakes.
Just because the cops won’t bang on your door does not mean it’s okay, though.
A genuine luxury watch designer poured tens or even hundreds of hours into designing the watch and skilled craftsmen spent ages constructing the real deal.
By supporting companies that just rip off the design and mass produce it, you help take away from the hard work and pride of genuine watchmakers.
Also, just like the watch, your ability to take pride in ownership is fake.
Sure, if you get a high-quality replica, you can probably pass it off as real and trick all your friends, but it is just a show.
You do not really own that luxury watch. You own a cheap knockoff.
This is like wearing military badges or uniforms when you did not serve.
Of course, it is not as serious and disrespectful as that, but it is the same general concept of putting on a fake persona.
Then, there’s the fact that the watch is not worth nearly what you spent on it.
Even if you spent $500 for something that mimics a $15,000 watch, the watch you got is probably worth closer to $50 in terms of materials, production costs, etc.
You still paid way more than you should have.
In general, if you cannot afford a true luxury watch, it is a far better choice to find a great original watch in your price range and go with that.
You will get higher quality, you won’t be posing as a luxury watch owner and you will actually get what you pay for.
Not to mention, there are tons of beautiful, well-crafted, legitimate timepieces in far more affordable price ranges.
Your options aren’t limited.
