First off, you gotta realize *everything* gets faked these days. Apple watches? Yup, even those get the funny fake treatment. Rolexes? Oh honey, you can find ’em on street corners, looking all shiny and expensive but probably powered by a hamster wheel and a prayer. Cartier Tanks? Fakes galore! And they ain’t all cheap garbage either – some of those super-fakes can run you serious dough. Like, hundreds, *thousands* even. Crazy, right?
Now, Armand Nicolet… they’re not exactly Rolex status, are they? Like, your average Joe probably hasn’t even heard of ’em. Which, you’d think, would make them less of a target for the counterfeiters. But here’s the thing: even smaller brands get hit. The thing is, Armand Nicolet *did* survive, and probably partly BECAUSE they weren’t a fully independent watchmaker. That is, they worked with other companies. It’s like how you don’t have to be famous for people to want to rip you off. Maybe they’re just trying to hone their skills.
So, are Nicolet watches faked? Probably. I mean, I haven’t seen any screamingly obvious fake Nicolets floating around eBay (though maybe I haven’t looked hard enough), but you gotta be cautious. Just because it’s not as widely faked as a Rolex doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
And if you *are* looking to buy one, do your research! Look for the telltale signs of a fake. And that is:
* Box and papers? Do they look legit? (Though even those can be faked these days, gah!)
* The price. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. I mean, come on.
* The little details. Pay attention to the movement, the finishing, the weight… all that jazz.
* Where are you buying it from? If you buy a Rolex from Jomashop, they claim to be 100% legit, but you don’t get a manufacturer’s warranty. So consider where you’re buying it from!
