First things first, and I’m gonna be real here, it ain’t always easy. That “Oyster Perpetual” thing? Yeah, even those fakes are looking pretty darn convincing these days. You gotta dig deeper, man.
One thing that always gets me is the weight. I mean, a REAL watch, especially a fancy one like an Audemars Piguet (assuming that’s how you even spell it!), feels substantial. Like, you KNOW you’re wearing something of quality. Think about that MoonSwatch thing too, real one should weigh close to 30g. A fake, it’ll feel kinda… cheap. Like you picked it up in a gumball machine. Although, maybe that’s a bit harsh. Some fakes are surprisingly heavy. But still, pay attention!
Then there’s the movement. This is HUGE. A Rolex (and probably other high-end watches, I’m no expert tho) has a smooth, sweeping second hand. No tick-tock BS. A fake? It’ll probably tick. Loudly. Like a bomb about to explode, but instead of an explosion, you just realize you got ripped off. That’s a bummer.
Okay, okay, gotta remember the packaging too. Now, I’m not saying all fakes come with nada, but a legit Casio G-Shock, for example, should have that aluminum case inside a cardboard box. If it comes in a plastic baggie from some dude on a street corner? Red flag, my friend. RED FLAG. Also, don’t forget to check for the user manual. I mean, who reads those things anyway, right? But its PRESENCE, that’s key. Like a witness at a crime scene.
And speaking of Casio… here’s a sneaky one. Check the watch face. Does it say “Casio” *anywhere*? Sounds dumb, right? But apparently, a lot of the fakes will have “G-Shock” or “Pathfinder,” but conveniently forget to mention the actual manufacturer. Sneaky, I tell ya. Sneaky!
Honestly, sometimes it just comes down to gut feeling. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is. If the seller is acting shady, run. If the watch looks like it was assembled by a team of squirrels, well, you know.
