Detecting Fakes: Tools for Watch Enthusiasts
Detecting Fakes: Tools for Watch Enthusiasts
The enjoyment that comes with owning a real watch can be compared to no other. The watch collecting community has however been faced with the phenomenon of counterfeit watches. It has now become quite common for counterfeiters to possess sophisticated means to produce replicas that can easily be mistaken for authentic watches. To protect themselves from rookie scams and ensure that their collections are genuine, watch collectors need to develop the ability to spot counterfeiting features of an item. Fortunately, there are numerous means to chase such a goal.
One of the best means for hunting counterfeit watches is by using a magnification loupe, commonly known as a jeweller's loupe. This is one of the fastest ways for collectors to find out the reliability of a watch since others demand a certain level of sacrifice. Up to 10 times magnification is standard for watching fake watches in dubai face through a loupe. This often leads to enhanced detail analysis of engravings, logos and building detail.
In analyzing the details of the watch under high magnification, one should consider the following:
The Logo and Text: Real watches typically showcase high quality logos and texts that are very clear. Counterfeit Lyndon watches have blurry or poorly executed text.
Date Window: True watches have the date wheel perfectly centred and enclosed in a window. Counterfeits may have date wheels that are out of position or have awkward letters.
Mechanism and Emblems: High end watches do not have similar emblems or serial numbers but rather they have distinct engravings and numbers. Cheap Lyndon watches either have no engravings at all or they have them but when viewed through a loupe these engravings are poorly done.
Most of these comparison strategies can be effectively performed under magnification since it is fast and simple in identifying details which may go unnoticed.
Ultraviolet (UV) light has also proven to be an effective tool for fakeness detection. For example, UV sensitive markers are used by a number of high end rolex copy watches in dubai manufacturers such as Rolex as a security feature. These markers cannot be seen by the naked eye but are applied on the dials, case backs, or crystal of genuine watches and are illuminated under a blacklight.
As you observe the face of the watch while shining the UV light, do the following:
The Dial: Some expensive watches might use luminescent markers or paint and those should be seen glowing in a UV light. If a strange bump of luminescence appears which is not consistent and is not in the places where it should be, it may indicate a fake.
The Crystal: Some luxury watch crystals may be lensed through a whole unit that has been UV coated to protect against scratches and even help with authentication of some sorts. If the crystal does not respond to UV, this crystal may be regarded as being fake.
In fact, ultraviolet light can help enhance the level of investigation when determining the authenticity of a watch, especially when other indications are not sufficient.
Luxury watches, or to put it simply – real luxury watches, are made of the following metal materials – stainless steel with titanium or gold platinum. It should be self evidential that these have significant weight when worn, they are solid and feel luxurious to an extent. Fake watches depend/can be easily overpriced and are usually made of some cheap lighter metallic material that can easily be felt.
Weight: Fake watches are light by nature, but high end watches are usually heavier and have a serious feel to them. If a watch seems uncomfortably light, then it’s safe to assume that it’s unoriginal.
Material: A smoothly finished watch made from quality material is considered ideal. However, in the case of fake watches, they often possess rough cut edges and poorly finished surfaces.
The watch should give the wearer a feeling of being sturdy in creation. If a timepiece is lightweight it is often a fairly good sign that the watch is a replica.
One of the most unequivocal checks in trying to establish the authenticity of a luxury watch is evaluating its movement. High-priced and truly automatic watches generally have expensive twisting internal components enabling smooth seconds to progress. Whereas fake watches are usually made with cheap quartz movements usually making the second hand to ‘tick’ instead of sweeping greatly.
High-Speed Camera: For people with access to such an option, where available, can use high speed camera effects to watch the second hand in its full motion, commonly recording at 1000fps. In a genuine automatic or mechanical watch, the second hand appears to mark time with a smooth continuous rotation. In these fakes, the quartz powered fake continues moving in jumps as there are defined ticks.
Movement Viewer: Watches have a special entourage of users who utilize specific devices enabling them to have a better view of how the movement works. With these viewers, it is much easier to analyze the actual movement of a watch in comparison to what is anticipated for a particular brand or model.
It is important to comprehend the movement because it is one of the most effective indicators when distinguishing between a fake and an original piece. While counterfeiters may replicate the outer look of a luxury watch, not all of them have the ability to imitate the sophisticated mechanics of a high-end movement.
Most high-end watches are bordered by a unique serial number which can always be found on the consideration of the maker. Replica watches lack what most makers’ original watches have; a serial number, or if they do have it, it is either fabricated or does not correspond. Some of them come as packages or some sort of authentication cards and certificates along with serial numbers and explanations of the particular timepiece.
Serial Number Check: Verify it against the documents of the company who made the watch, whenever you need to prove the series number. There are several watchmakers who show their authenticity through serial number verification processes on the internet.
Authentication Cards: It is important to confirm that the authentication card has the exact serial number that appears on the watch. There are also some who fake it by giving generic cards that do not suit the specific model or features of the watch.
These authentication cards and serial numbers can be considered as the Achilles heel when it comes to assessing and estimating the authenticity of a watch.
At times, the option which is best at identifying all sorts of fake watches is that of an expert. There are many professionals in the industry, especially watched makers and authorized distributors who provide authentication service. In case there is any doubt about the authenticity of a watch, it is worth visiting a certified watchmaker and request him to take the watch apart in order to inspect its contents.
Watchmaker Competence: This is the practice of taking the watch apart to evaluate its movement, construction and detailing to give a definitive answer on its authenticity.
Authorized Dealers: Most established watch dealers are now equipped with the tools and knowledge needed to identify all sorts of fakes and thus give you the confidence that you are indeed buying an authentic item.
In general cases professional appraisal is a primary as well as the most reliable way of proving the authenticity of a watch especially when all other methods are indecisive.
The increasing demand in the market for luxury watches brings about increased incidents of counterfeit timepieces in circulation. Luckily, watch lovers can use the appropriate measures, such as using magnification loupes, ultraviolet lights, movement testing devices or other tools, to successfully spot fakes and protect their collections from further drags. It is true that the most conclusive answers can be obtained from professionally authenticated services, yet the application of these tools allows the collectors and enthusiasts to be able to independently determine the genuine status of their watches and not become victims of a counterfeiters storm.