Original vs. Fake

Can you tell an original from a fake? We'll show you how.

Goods from reputable brands are now much more affordable than they used to be. However, as availability increases, so do the number of scammers trying to profit from the sale of imitations - fakes. This is no different in the world of branded watches. Learn how to tell an imitation from an original with us. We'll show you how! In the following blog, we've compiled a list of the best-selling watch brands, showing you what signs to look out for when recognising the original from the fake.

A few basic observations apply to all types and brands of watches. When inspecting a watch, pay particular attention to the quality of workmanship and the functionality of all elements. You can spot a fake by its cheap appearance, light weight, non-functioning chronographs and so on. Every genuine watch has distinctive information stamped on the case back, such as the model designation, materials used, water resistance and serial number. If this information is missing from the cap, you are probably dealing with a fake. You only need to get a genuine watch with the original packaging, which also has the corresponding workmanship. The packaging must include a certificate of originality and instructions for use (manual). Last but not least, the price is one of the most important features to distinguish an original from a fake. Branded watches have a price, which varies within a certain level. So if you find a watch that costs a fraction of the market price, pay close attention.

 

TOMMY HILFIGER WATCHES

Basic features of the original:

 

1. High quality workmanship of the watch - detailed dial, hands work chronographs + date smoothly and show the time accurately.

2. On the back cap of the watch is stamped, water resistance indication (3ATM), model number (e.g. TH.256.3.34.1749), body material (100% ALL STAINLESS STEEL), TH logo.

3. The TH symbol does not always have to be stamped on the key; some models have lower and upper chronograph pushers, but these serve only as a design accessory and are not functional.

4. The TH symbol is stamped on the strap clasp mechanism.

5. The watch box is well made in strong blue or white-blue, the foam interior of the box is included.

6. The booklet with multilingual manual is well printed.

7. Even after years of wear, the watch should not lose its colour.

   

MICHAEL KORS WATCHES

Basic features of the original:

1. High quality watch workmanship.

2. High quality of the watch.

3. Model code stamped on the back cap , indication of water resistance and materials used.

4. MICHAEL KORS stamped on the clasp mechanism (must have the correct typeface), MK stamped on the key.

5. Quality made box in white (old box in chocolate brown).

6. The printing of the manual booklet is of high quality and detailed.

7. Even after years of wear, the watch should not lose color or start to peel
 

DANIEL WELLINGTON WATCHES

Basic features of the original:

 

1. High quality workmanship of the watch - detailed dial, hands work smoothly and show the time accurately.

2. The model series (in our case Dapper B38R1), waterproofing (3ATM), serial number (SERIAL NUMBER), body material (ALL STAINLESS STEEL), movement (Japan movement) are stamped on the back cap.

3. On the strap clasp mechanism is stamped DW.

4. The stamped DW symbol must not be missing on the crown, not valid for all Daniel Wellington models.

5. GENUINE LEATHER + DANIEL WELLINGTON.

6. The certificate of origin is an integral part of the package.

7. The box of the clock is well crafted in brown, inside the box is cream-coloured, the package includes a cushion in cream colour + a plastic jig for changing straps. The newer box for the DW brand is black with a gold stripe lining the bottom edge of the box. The newest box with the current design is pure black, inside and out, with gold Daniel Wellington lettering on the top.

8. The booklet with multilingual manual is well printed. 

EMPORIO ARMANI WATCHES

Basic features of the original:

 

1. High quality workmanship of the watch - detailed dial, all buttons and hands work smoothly.

2. The model number, waterproofing, model name, serial number are stamped on the back cap of the watch.

3. Emporio Armani emblem stamped on the key must not be missing.

4. The Emporio Armani emblem and the Stainless Stell inscription are stamped on the strap clasp mechanism.

5. The watch box is well crafted in grey with black glossy sides, the logo is stamped on the top of the box, the box has its own cream pearl coloured box with Emporio Armani lettering, the box fits perfectly into its packaging.

6. An integral part of the package is the certificate of originality and a booklet with a multilingual manual, which is well printed.

7. "The originality card is cream in colour. It has the words GIORGIO ARMANI in the lines above it, which are embossed and not just simply printed. The inscriptions are in lines exactly above each other. At the bottom of the card there is another important protective element - on a white background, the green and red inscription CERTIFICATO DI AUTENTICÁ. The inscription is bordered above and below by a green and red line, in which are the small inscriptions GIORGIOARMANIGIORGIOARMANIGIORGIO. These words are written without spaces. When the label is produced, an extra white surface is printed on the label on which the inscriptions are placed. If you run your fingers over the text you will feel that it is plastic. If it is not, it is an imitation! The most important protective element is hidden in the watermark. If you tilt the card against the light, a large GIORGIO ARMANI inscription appears on the entire surface. Also pay attention to the colour of the lines, which alternate between lighter and darker shades.

 

The other side of the card is also important. Here again we see GIORGO ARMANI written in small letters. At the bottom is the brown inscription CERTIFICATO DI AUTENTICITA PRODOTTO ORIGINALE FABRICATO SECONDO KNOW HOW STILISTICO DELLA GIORGIO ARMANI S.P.A. MILANO. The more detailed text on the bottom edge of the card is essential: CISCRA CARTE WALRI - FEDRIGONI CARTIERE S.p.A. It is very difficult for imitation manufacturers to print such small text in sufficient quality. That is why you won't find this text on counterfeit cards at all

 

On the side of the card shall be the production code in the form of: capital letter-(space)nine-digit numeric code.

HUGO BOSS WATCHES

The basic character of the original:

 

1. High quality workmanship of the watch (especially the redesigned dial), the hands and chronographs work smoothly.

2. Weight of the watch.

3. Model number, water resistance, model code, ALL STAINLESS STEEL, Hugo Boss logo stamped on the back cap.

4.  The Hugo Boss logo is stamped on the clasp mechanism.

5. BOSS inscription on the key.

6. The watch straps are high quality, genuine leather or steel. Quality workmanship, stitching on the leather straps is perfect.

7. Quality crafted box in black, the interior and the leather cushion are black. BOSS logo on the lid of the box on the inside, the box has a black paper cover with BOSS logo on the top.

8. The printing of the manual booklet is good quality, easy to read. 

INVICTA WATCHES

 

The basic feature of the original:

 

1. High quality workmanship of the watch (especially the elaborate dial).

2. The weight of the watch (for the Invicta brand, most of the men's and women's models are very heavy).

3. On the back cap stamped model number, water resistance, model name, information about the movement, glass and materials used.

4.  The INVICTA emblem is stamped on the clasp mechanism.

5. Some Invicta models do not have the Invicta emblem stamped on the key. For example, the Invicta Subaqua model has a Swiss cross stamped on the key.

6. Invicta watch straps are of good quality whether they are leather, rubber or steel. Some metal straps have INVICTA stamped on the underside of the links.

7. The box is well made and bright yellow in colour, the inside is pale yellow, however, some Invicta models - especially limited editions - may have a box designed to match the edition or model.

8. The printing of the manual booklet is of good quality, the cover of the booklet is yellow and the inside pages are also yellow (Also for certificates, point 7. applies - the design is customised). In the package is certificate, membership card, rubber tag, manual (booklet).

The basic feature of the original.

 

DIESEL WATCHES

Basic features of the original:

 

1. High quality workmanship of the dial and the clock overall.

2. The weight of the watch, all hands/chronographs work flawlessly on the watch. It cannot happen that the hands are broken, stuck, etc.

3. Model number, "CE", serial number (mostly 6 digits), water resistance, DIESEL-ONLY-THE-BRAVE-DIESEL stamped on back cap, head across the entire back cap.

4. Letter D stamped on the key.

5. DIESEL stamped on the clasp mechanism.

6. If the strap is leather, it is genuine leather and is of good quality.

7. A well-made white box, with the DIESEL logo on the front side. The cushion is white, perforated and has rounded corners. The new DIESEL box is black.

8. The printing of the manual booklet is detailed.

 

MARC JACOBS WATCHES

Basic features of the original:

 

1. High quality workmanship of the watch.

2. High quality of the watch.

3. 2. It may not always be true, e.g. the MBM3194 model has a plain key (without inscription).

4.  Model number, "CE", serial number (usually 6 digits), water resistance, MARC JACOBS inscription stamped on the case back.

5. MARC JACOBS inscription stamped on the clasp mechanism.

6. Quality made and solid box. The printing of the manual booklet is of high quality.

7. Even after years of wear, the watch should not lose color, peel or wear off.

 

Disclaimer: All comparisons and photos in this blog are for informational purposes only, no watches have been reviewed by a competent IPR authority.