Well, first off, common sense, people! If the price seems too good to be true, like, ridiculously low, alarm bells should be ringing. Seriously. No legit seller is gonna practically give away a diamond-encrusted watch. That’s just…dumb. I mean, think about it.
Now, beyond that, it gets a little trickier. JBW isn’t exactly Rolex, so the “expert” level stuff isn’t *quite* as intense, but you still gotta pay attention. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Okay, so here’s the thing: quality. Fake watches *always* cut corners. Like, big time. Look at the details. Is the engraving crisp? Are the diamonds (or CZs, let’s be real) set properly? Are there any weird gaps or glue showing? If it looks like someone just slapped it together in their garage…well, it probably *was*.
Seriously, check for misspellings! You’d be surprised how many fakes have typos on the dial or the caseback. Like, “JWB” instead of “JBW.” Hilarious, but not when you’re the one getting ripped off. And peeling paint? Come on, that’s a dead giveaway. I mean, a real JBW might be a bit blingy for some, but they usually don’t skimp on the basic stuff.
Another thing: weight. This can be a tough one without having a real JBW to compare it to, but generally speaking, a quality watch will have some heft. Fakes often use cheaper, lighter materials. But, honestly, this isn’t always a sure thing. Some fakes are weighted down to *feel* legit. So, don’t rely on this alone.
The movement! Oh man, the movement. This is where things get technical, and frankly, most people (including me, sometimes) are kinda clueless. But, if you can, try to get a peek at the movement. A real JBW (I think most are quartz, correct me if I’m wrong) should have a clean, relatively well-finished movement. A fake will probably have something that looks like it was pulled out of a gumball machine. If you’re not sure, take it to an actual watch repair person. They’ll know.
And speaking of the back of the watch, check it out, yo! Serial number? Is it there? Is it even legible? Is it scratched to hell? Compare it to other JBW watches you see online. Does it look like it belongs? If it looks suspect, it probably is.
Okay, here’s a random thought: Where are you buying it from? Joe’s Discount Watches behind the gas station? Probably not the best bet. Stick with authorized dealers or reputable online retailers. Even then, be careful! Read reviews, check for return policies, and trust your gut.
Finally, and I can’t stress this enough, if you’re spending serious money, get it authenticated. Go to a jeweler, a watch expert, SOMETHING. A few bucks for an expert opinion is way better than getting stuck with a fake.
