First off, yeah, they exist. Like, *really* exist. You’re talking online, in dodgy back alleys of some cities (I’m thinkin’ like, Vietnam, maybe?), and even sometimes masquerading as legit-ish dealers. The scale is kinda mind-blowing, honestly. You see those “too good to be true” deals online? Red flag, buddy, red flag. I saw someone mention on Reddit about fake watches on Etsy, and honestly, I’m not even surprised anymore.
The thing that trips me out is how good some of these fakes are getting. Apparently, Watchfinder & Co said that only a few years ago, identifying fakes was easy peasy. But now? Uh oh, things are getting more difficult, it takes closer inspection. That means the counterfeiters are getting their act together. Scary stuff, if you ask me. I mean, who wants to drop serious cash on what they think is a Rolex only to find out it’s basically a really shiny paperweight?
And it’s not just Rolex, Patek, and AP either. I saw someone mention fake Citizen watches being frankensteined together. Like, seriously? Vintage Citizen getting the fake treatment? That’s a whole new level of dedication to deception. It makes me think these guys have wayyyy too much time on their hands.
Now, how do you avoid getting burned? Well, the obvious one is price. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That “Rolex” for $500? Yeah, no. Also, check the seller’s reputation. Are they a well-known dealer? Do they have tons of good reviews? Or are they some fly-by-night operation with a website that looks like it was designed in 1998? Use your brain, people!
Then, get into the nitty-gritty. Serial numbers, details on the watch itself – do your research and know what to look for. Are all the little details right? Also, if you can, buy from authorized dealers. Yeah, you’ll pay more, but at least you know you’re getting the real deal.
Honestly, the whole fake watch thing is kinda depressing. It’s like, these guys are putting all this effort into being dishonest when they could probably use those skills to, you know, build something real. But hey, what do I know? I’m just some guy rambling about watches on the internet.