First off, and this is a biggie, price. If it sounds too good to be true, *it probably is*. I mean, c’mon, nobody’s giving away legit Fossils for pennies on the dollar. Be skeptical, my friend, be VERY skeptical. Like, seriously question the seller’s motives. Are they clearing out stock or just trying to pull a fast one?
Next, give the watch a good once-over. The *quality* of the materials is a dead giveaway. Real Fossils, they use decent stuff. Look at the face. Apparently, most Fossils have *mineral crystals* instead of plastic. If you see a plastic face? Red flag! Now, it DOES say “usually” they use crystals, so maybe a plastic face isn’t an instant death sentence for the watch’s authenticity, but it’s def worth a closer look.
Then, get your magnifying glass out (okay, maybe not *literally*, but you get my drift) and check out the *engravings*. Is the Fossil logo crisp and clean? Or does it look kinda… smudged or poorly done? Sloppy craftsmanship is a HUGE sign it’s a fake.
Don’t forget the straps! Examine them closely. And the buckle! (as the one source mentioned). Check the inside of the strap too. The real ones are made with care, the fakes? Not so much.
Also, flip the watch over and check the *back of the case*. A real Fossil SHOULD have a *serial number* engraved on it. But, and this is important, just because there’s a number THERE, doesn’t automatically mean it’s genuine! Clever counterfeiters are getting better all the time, so don’t rely on this alone.
And this might sound like overkill, but if you’re *really* worried, you could try calling Fossil Customer Care. The article above said they can be reached at 800-449-3056. Give them the serial number (if there *is* one) and see if they can verify it. Probably best to do that *before* you buy, just sayin’.
Oh, and almost forgot! Packaging! Genuine Fossil watches supposedly come in a nice tin or leather box, complete with an *authenticity card and a user manual*. This is a good point, but I feel like a dedicated counterfeiter could probably fake these too, so I wouldn’t put all my eggs in that basket, ya know?
