Okay, so you’re thinking about snagging a Seiko. Good choice! Seikos are generally awesome – reliable, good looking, and usually won’t break the bank like some fancy Swiss stuff. But, uh oh, there’s a dark underbelly to the watch world: fakes. And yep, Seiko ain’t immune.
So, *are* Seiko watches faked? Short answer: absolutely. It’s a bummer, I know. But don’t let it scare you off. With a little know-how, you can totally avoid getting bamboozled.
Now, where to even start? Well, the first thing I always say is: *do your homework!* Seriously, before you even start browsing, get acquainted with the real deal. Check out the Seiko website, look at authorized dealers, and just generally soak up what a legit Seiko should look like. The more you know, the better you’ll be at spotting the fakes.
One thing I’ve noticed (and it’s kinda obvious, but still!) is the quality. Fake Seikos often just *feel* cheap. The case might be flimsy, the bracelet rattly, the whole thing just…off. Real Seikos, even the budget ones, have a certain solidness to them. You know, that feeling of “yeah, this is a proper watch.”
And speaking of details, pay close attention to the little things. The logo, for instance. Is it crisp and clean? Or does it look kinda…smudged? (That’s a huge red flag, btw). Also, check the dial markers and hands. Are they neatly applied? Do they glow in the dark, and do they glow evenly? Fakes often have markers and hands that are overly white and, well, just don’t glow worth a darn. Trust me, I’ve seen some truly awful lume on fake Seikos.
Oh! And the writing on the crystal. This one I find particularly hilarious. Apparently, some counterfeiters think it’s cool to carve writing *onto* the crystal. Just, no. Seiko doesn’t do that. So, if you see that, run. Run far, far away.
Another thing: serial numbers. Real Seikos have a six-digit serial number on the back. Make sure it’s there, and make sure it looks properly engraved, not like it was etched on with a rusty nail (yeah, I’ve seen that too!).
Now, I gotta be honest, sometimes it’s tough. Especially with those “new old stock” SKXs that are floating around. Some of those fakes are getting pretty convincing. But even then, they’re usually just substandard copies that aren’t worth your time.
And speaking of “deals too good to be true…” C’mon people! If you see a Seiko that’s normally like $500 going for $50 on Wish or some other sketchy website? Yeah, that’s 100% fake. Don’t even think about it. You’ll just be throwing your money away. Plus, there are even scam websites out there that use pictures of real Seikos but then just *don’t send you anything* after you pay. Major bummer.
