When identifying a watch, look at the dial or dial to identify the manufacturer. If there is no company name on the dial, you need to look for this information on the back plate of the watch. Determine which country and/or city the watch originated from. Name engraved on reverse side, means "signature". After determining the place of manufacture, look at which companies made watches in this city. Remember: some of the "hard-to-identify" watches are quite valuable collectibles. Therefore, it is important to be able to identify them.

To establish the true manufacturer of the movement, it is necessary to study the design, taking into account the size, number and location of gems, shape, disc layout (full or 3/4), location of disc parts, screws, adjuster shape, etc.

After establishing the name of the manufacturer, you should be interested in the age of the watch. This information can be obtained using the serial number written on the back of the case. It is often quite difficult to determine the exact age, but the method below will allow you to determine the period of manufacture.

There are many distinctive features, which allows you to set the age of watches made before 1850. Manual winding, regulator hands, for example, contain important clues in determining age. However, no single part can be considered sufficient evidence to determine the age of a watch. The clock must be considered as a whole. First determine the country in which they were produced. For example: English silver watches will have a hallmark on the case, allowing reference to the London hallmarks list for dates of manufacture after 1697. Many movements have been placed in cases made several years before or after the manufacture of the movement itself.

The case the movement was housed in is not a good clue to identifying the original movement, and the serial number of the case is no help either. It was common practice for manufacturers to outsource the movement to jewelers and case makers. The buyer himself chose the case for the mechanism. This explains why you can find an expensive movement in a cheap case and vice versa.

If the maker's name and location didn't help you, perhaps the hallmark could be the jeweler's signature and location. Some watches can be identified by comparing each company's models until the correct model is found. Start by measuring hours and then compare various forms and styles. The winding and the arrow adjuster can also be a hint. General layout of the product in relation to jewelry precious stones: on the watch face or case, and the style of the knobs, can help identify the manufacturer of the item.

The numbers on the watch case should not be taken as clues because many of the good hours could change the body and therefore have different kind numbers.

Useful information of the world jewelry

How to distinguish genuine Swiss watches?

Watches in our world are one of the most important symbols of status and wealth. While every year there are more and more replicas and fakes, true connoisseurs of watchmaking art remain, for whom it is important to learn to distinguish real products from fakes (fakes, copies, replicas). When buying a watch in an unfamiliar store or from stranger pay attention to the following points:

If businessmen, executives, public figures, connoisseurs of watchmaking wear only originals by definition, then inexperienced people are always in doubt about which watch to choose. Luxury watches at a high price, or their replicas at an affordable price? And it's not about the price.

Fakes will always be inferior in quality. They are made from the cheapest materials that can cause allergies. Short service life, lack of properties such as moisture resistance, shock resistance. Low-quality glass and a case made of Latin are easily scratched over time. If in the original all the smallest details are brought to perfection, then there are a lot of blunders in the replicas: uneven paint, inscriptions located in the wrong place, asymmetrical numbers, poorly reinforced stones, all kinds of distortions, irregularities. With the help of such a copy, you are unlikely to be able to make a favorable impression on others. You will have to look at such a watch furtively, and questions from others like “can I try it on or look closer?” you will be pretty scared and shamed.

How to distinguish a real watch from a fake and are there any originals that are not faked? The answer to the second question is no, if we are talking about a well-known and expensive brand. Usually, fakes are not produced for two categories of products: those that use unique technologies and those that are accessible to everyone. Although experts say that you can also find repetitions of cheap plastic models on sale. In such cases, immediately, with the naked eye, noticeably poor quality. From this article you will learn what a copy is, what they are and how to understand what is in front of you? We will talk about labeling and other features. Let's start with the most obvious ones.

What you need to pay attention to immediately

How to distinguish original watch from fake at first sight? Most often, expensive products of Swiss brands, such as Rolex and other well-known brands, are faked. It is important to remember that everything produced in this country is issued with the Swiss made inscription on the dial or other visible part. This signature means that the entire mechanism or part of it was made there. See the phrase Made in Switzerland? You are offered a good copy or a bad copy.

When choosing accessories from other brands, you can pay attention to the second hand. If it is quartz (it moves in jerks), and the real product involves a mechanical device (the arrow moves more smoothly), then this is a fake. Typically, manufacturers use the first option, as it is easier and cheaper to assemble.

A special sign of fakes

How else to find out what is in front of you - the original watch or not? Replicas can be sold even on specialized sites and forums. Another sign of the authenticity of a product is its value. If the store offers obviously expensive goods cheaply, this is a reason to be wary. Do you want to know the origin of Rolex on someone you know? Compare their price with a person's income level.

The counterfeit market is very developed in every country. Sometimes the owners of a branded accessory do not even suspect that they are wearing a product of the wrong company that they would like to wear. This is because copies come in different levels of quality. They can be divided into three categories. Let's talk more about each of them.

Surface

If you carefully consider such products, numerous inconsistencies and errors in performance will become visible. The dials are often assembled sloppily, with shifted numbers and serifs. The inscriptions are uneven, there is no engraving, and the coating peels off over time.

When bending the strap, it becomes clear that it is made of leatherette, as folds and creases remain, the seams are crookedly stitched. If the bracelet is made of a different material, it is unevenly dyed (paint gets on the reverse side), poorly polished. Of course, the mechanism itself of such a device very quickly fails. In most cases, even an ignorant person can see such a fake.

Good

How to distinguish a copy of a watch from the original if there are no obvious signs? This is more difficult to do if you do not know exactly how the product should look. This replica differs slightly from the original.

Differences:

• Arrow shape.
• Tilt labels and labels.
• Uneven printing of letters on the case and strap.
• Material. The gold dial declared at sale is made of brass with gilding.
• Dye. If you look closely, the notches are unevenly painted or slightly worn.
• Model or company name. Intentional or accidental errors in words, facts in the presentation.
• Mechanism. Most often they change to quartz. But depending on the price of a fake, it can be produced in any country and using any technology.

Accurate

The resemblance to the original is very large and the cost of such products is higher than that of good replicas. This is due not only to external characteristics, but also to the "stuffing" of the device. It is distinguished by its quality and, like the design, is made "based on" or very similar to the branded item. How to determine the original watch in this case? If you are a beginner, then take an interest in the opinion of fans on the forums or buy an accessory only in company stores. This will be a more reliable way to check. If this is not possible, check out the official website of the company or in discussions on the Internet how the product should look like. Pay attention to a few details:

• Back cover. Many fakes are transparent.
• Font. Style may vary.
• Stones. They may not be fastened well. Run your finger across the body. In this device, they are embedded to the same depth, well faceted.
• Marking. Some fakes do not have it or do not match the one set by the brand. Sometimes there is no catalog and serial number.
• Emblems, logos, watermarks. Some companies apply protection elements to their products. Such marks can only be seen at a certain angle or with ultraviolet light.

Experts note that there is no such falsification that could not be distinguished from the original source. Exact following in production would cost too much, and such things are made, most often saving on materials and work. Cost reduction always results in shortcomings.

Can a copy be better than the original?

Many buyers have a natural question. If there is a good counterfeit Swiss watch reasonable price so why not wear it? There are three reasons why a replica is considered not as good a purchase as the real version.

• Quality. Only products made at the factory of the official manufacturer guarantee all the declared characteristics: durability, accuracy, shock resistance, moisture resistance. The value of originals, especially mechanical ones, only increases over the years.
• Guarantee. In the event of a malfunction, you will have nowhere to take the purchase for repair.

It is also worth noting that if you are looking for a status accessory, a copy, even the best one, loses. It will quickly become unusable and it is likely that you will not feel as confident as you could.

How to distinguish a fake Swiss watch from the original

This section of the article contains a list of possible shortcomings of replicas that are offered as products from Switzerland.

• Package. The genuine device is always sealed in an elegant, nice box from expensive materials. Often there is gold stamping. Even if it is an affordable product, with a simpler design, it looks neat. The details of the manufacturer are always printed on the bottom. Inside, along with the accessory is a certificate or passport. They indicate the data of the product (they can also be used to find out the origin of the item), the date and place of sale, and a seal is placed. Exact copies can be packed in the same way as the original, including the presence of documents. Only knowing the nuances will help to distinguish one thing from another.

• Weight. Replicas, as a rule, have a smaller mass than the originals due to the lightweight “stuffing”.
• Strap or bracelet. It often happens that the dial is perfect. In this case, pay attention to these details. Perhaps the manufacturer of the fake saved on them. If it is leather, the seams must be perfect. After bending, there are no creases and defects on this material. On metal products, evaluate the grinding on the inside and the quality of the engraving.
• Glass. In the original, it fits snugly to the body. The flaws are visible if you look at the watch from the side. If the seller states that sapphire glass is used, put some water on it. At the original, it will gather at one point.
• Arrows. In fakes, this element is crooked. It's noticeable when you look at him in profile. Find out how (length, thickness) these parts look like from the official manufacturer.
• Date. The numbers in the box should be located in the center, with the same distance to the upper and lower borders. They are clearly visible from any viewing angle.
• Clockwork crown. In fakes, it is often made with omissions. For example, without a rubber protective ring. Some brands, in particular Rolex, release it with an engraving in the form of a crown.
• Jewelry elements. An exact replica can be adorned with real gems. But they are poorly cut, unreliably attached, cloudy.

How to check the authenticity of a swiss watch by number

This information is indicated in the certificate or passport attached to the mechanism. Also in the documents you will find instructions and addresses of warranty workshops. On the official website of the company there is a list of stores that have the right to sell this product. There is not always a special search by code, but contact with the manufacturer is available. Also, experts recommend contacting service centers. Masters know how to accurately understand the cue in front of you or not.

Marking

Let's talk more about this method of detecting fakes. At the beginning of the article, we already gave information about the inscription that may be present on the originals. Now we will write about a few more points and decipher their meaning.

How to identify a fake or original watch

The quality of accessories from Switzerland is confirmed by special signs adopted by several departments. Their illegal use entails heavy fines. Devices that fully comply with the established parameters are sold marked Swiss Made (Swiss Quarz) on the dial or case. If you see such a phrase, it means that the item is completely designed, manufactured and tested in this country. A similar mark on the bracelet (there is a variation of the Swiss Wristlet) indicates that only it was made there. Other signature options are also allowed:

• Swiss Parts. The mechanism of Swiss parts was assembled in another territory.
• Swissmovement. The “stuffing” of the watch is made from Swiss components and passed the quality test there, but the rest of the elements have a different origin.
• swiss case. Everything except the case is made abroad.

Examples of fakes

Let's talk in more detail about what you need to pay attention to in the models of three popular brands.

Rolex

In addition to the place of sale and cost (dealers and price are posted on the official website), you should be alerted by inconsistencies in several points.

• Magnifying glass. They are equipped with many products of this brand. It almost doubles the date below it. It may not be in the replicas and it is easy to see.
• Rear panel. At the factory, these elements are made only in metallic form. In copies, they are often replaced with plastic ones in order to save money. If you have the opportunity, look into the mechanism itself. In branded items, it is also made from strong and durable materials.
• Arrow. In the original, it almost always moves smoothly, without jerks. If you put the watch to your ear, then harsh sounds you won't hear. The color on the arrows and labels must match.

Also, do not forget to carefully evaluate the uniformity of painting, the inside of the bracelet or strap.

On the back of the original there is an engraving of the brand: name, emblem, raw materials from which the parts are made, number. Most often there are fakes of old models of this brand.

• 46941. You can distinguish products using the built-in calendar. Activate it, put the desired number and set the time to 12 hours. In a real device, the date will change to the next, and in a fake it will remain unchanged.
• 46943 and 48743. In this case, it is very difficult to determine the replicas yourself, since the differences are usually in the mechanism.

If it is not possible to contact the service, buy the product only from authorized dealers and carefully inspect the item for wear and tear. Any trifle done carelessly, the absence of a passport or certificate is a sign of a fake.

In addition to the main signs of fake products, pay attention to the following nuances.

• Tag. It is on all products that this company produces. It should contain all information about the device and the REF number. Using it, you can check the accessory on the brand's website.
• Crown and strap. The original is produced with an engraving in the shape of the letter T.
• Rear panel. It has a code that must match the one printed on the label and in the instructions.

All additional dials in this version function, the inscriptions are not smeared, there are no errors in them.

In this article, we talked about how to determine the authenticity of Swiss watches and products from other countries. Have you decided that the fact of production by an official brand is not important to you and you want to find a quality replica? We invite you to take a look at our store catalog. In him big choice women's and male models for every taste. The site employs consultants who are always ready to help you make a choice.

If the car has long turned from luxury into a means of transportation, then Wrist Watch, on the contrary, since the time of full telephonization, they have become a confirmation of wealth, status and style and serve more like very expensive jewelry than for their intended purpose. In this regard, a lot of fakes and imitations of branded watches have appeared.

General requirements for originals

1. In favor of the fact that you have the original in your hands, says the presence of a plastic card on which the name of the company, serial number, and sometimes even the contact numbers of manufacturers are engraved.
2. Packing, box necessarily made of expensive material. It cannot be simple rough cardboard or cheap plastic.
3. Luxury brands do not use gold-plated coating in the manufacture of the case. Watches that were made some time ago should not have scuffs with other metal underneath.
4. Gold watches must have hallmarks (750) on the case and on the clasp.
5. Sapphire glass - required attribute luxury watches. You can determine the material using an electromechanical detector, which is used to identify the authenticity of diamonds.
6. The glass must be adjacent to the body along the entire diameter at the same level from the edge. This is easy to determine if you turn the clock on edge.
7. From the same angle, you can easily track the position of the arrows. In the original, they must be even and move around the axis strictly parallel to the plane of the dial.
8. Be sure to pay attention to the quality of the strap. Expensive branded watches can only be attached to the best belts.
9. Never on a Swiss watch and packaging will it say "Madein ...", only "Swiss ...".
10. The code numbers on the tag, warranty card (necessarily plastic) and instructions must match.
11. by the most in a simple way to expose the fake is to use the Internet. Each manufacturer places a catalog of their products on the Web with detailed description and photographs. Any discrepancy with the image of the original is a fact indicating that you have a fake in your hands.

Clock "Rolex»

One of the most prestigious watch brands has, like banknotes, many degrees of protection.

1. The glass is made of polished sapphire crystal. A drop of water will help to distinguish it from ordinary glass, which will not spread, but will gather into an oval.
2. A small lens enlarges the image of the date by 2.5 times and is located in the center of the numbers.
3. Directly below the number 6, a very detailed laser engraving in the form of a crown, the symbol of the company, is applied. It is impossible to see it with the naked eye.
4. The watch has a holographic sticker with a crown and number.
5. In many models, an additional ring is installed between the winding wheel and the case, which serves as insulation.
6. Rolex knockoffs always weigh less than the original because they use cheap materials.
7. The second hand in a real watch rotates smoothly, without jerky ticks
8. There is an embossing on the case. With a high magnification, you can make sure that the letters have clear edges.
9. The digits of the serial number of the watch must also be clearly and neatly engraved on the side edge of the case.

Clock "Tissot»

This is another branded Swiss watch that starts at $200.

First of all, their authenticity is confirmed by packaging and equipment. The clock is attached to a white cushion rigidly fixed in the box. The set includes a suede case and a branded package. There are also documents, a warranty card, instructions for use and even booklets with the history of the plant.

On the winding mechanism, on a metal bracket, you can see the letter “T” extruded by the factory.

The original number must be applied on the back cover, which consists of numbers and letters and starts with 13.

Clock "hublot»