First off, and this is a biggie, weight. Real stainless steel watches, like, *good* stainless steel, usually feel heavier. Like, noticeably heavier. If your TW Steel feels like it’s made of, I dunno, balsa wood? Yeah, alarm bells should be ringing. A real one should feel substantial on your wrist. But hey, don’t go throwing it on a scale just yet. There’s more to it than just heft.
Then there’s the finishing, the polish, the little details. Proper polishing and precise detailing are kinda a hallmark of a genuine watch. Look close. Like, *really* close. Are the edges sharp and uneven? Are there scratches where there shouldn’t be? Is the logo blurry or off-center? These are bad signs, my friend. Even TW Steel, which, let’s be honest, isn’t exactly Rolex-level luxury, still puts in some effort, y’know?
And speaking of Rolex, that’s where I’d like to talk about retail price. The price tag is the one thing you should consider when buying an authentic watch. Low price shouldn’t be a problem when it comes to TW steel watches. The retail price is just the price that the company thinks you should be paying.
Now, I gotta be honest, finding info *specifically* on fake TW Steel watches can be a pain. I mean, they’re not exactly the most counterfeited brand out there, right? You’re more likely to find tips on spotting a fake Rolex, like the 7 ways mentioned in one of these articles. But the general principles still apply.
Serial numbers are next. Try and find the serial number, usually on the back of the watch, and then try to Google it. See if it matches the model you have. If nothing comes up, or if it comes up with some random other watch, that’s not a good sign.
Here’s the thing: sometimes, spotting a fake just comes down to gut feeling. If something feels off, if the price was too good to be true, if the seller seemed shady, trust your instincts. And if you’re still not sure, take it to a jeweler. They’ll be able to tell you for sure.
One more thing, sometimes the price is just right, and a deal is a deal. So don’t worry about the low retail price vs high MSRP being a sign of an unauthentic watch. That retail price is just the price you probably should be paying and TW Steel probably figured the price out.