So, how do you tell the real deal from the… well, the *less-than-real* deal? It’s not rocket science, but you gotta pay attention.
First off, peep that logo. Yeah, the eagle. Armani is all about that eagle. But is it crisp? Is it clean? Or does it look like it was drawn by a five-year-old after too much sugar? Authentic Emporio Armani watches *sweat* the details. The logo will be perfect, meticulously crafted. If it looks wonky, uneven, or just plain *off*, that’s a HUGE red flag. Seriously, HUGE. Like, run-away-from-the-deal HUGE.
Then there’s the serial number. Every genuine Armani Exchange watch (and probably the Emporio ones too, I’m guessing) has a unique serial number engraved on the back. Now, I haven’t personally checked this myself, but, I hear they got it on the back. Try to verify it somehow, I don’t know, maybe call Armani? Or google it? That’s what I’d do. If it doesn’t exist or it’s a repeat of another serial, uh oh.
And speaking of the back, what about the movement? This is where things get a little nerdy. See, most Emporio Armani watches use Miyota movements. It’s a decent, reliable movement. Fakes, though? They might slap in a cheap Seiko (SII) movement instead. Now, I’m not saying Seiko is *bad* (they make some great watches!), but it’s not what you’re paying for when you buy an Armani. So, do a little research on the specific model you’re looking at and see what movement *should* be inside. If it’s different… well, you know the drill.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But what if they put the right movement in?” Yeah, that’s a good point. That’s when you gotta look at the overall quality. Does it *feel* like a quality watch? Does the band feel cheap? Are the edges rough? Does the clasp feel flimsy? Real Armani watches have a certain weight and feel to them. They’re not going to feel like they’re made of plastic and dreams.
And finally, common sense. If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is. Like, if someone is selling an “Armani” watch for $20 on a street corner… yeah, no. Just no. Walk away. Run away. Maybe even call the cops. (Okay, maybe not the cops, but definitely don’t buy it).
