Original vs Fake: How to Check If Your Wrist Watch is Real

Purchasing a wristwatch is an exhilarating investment, but a buyer must always check its authenticity. The market is flooded with fake wristwatches and distinguishing them is not always as easy as it seems. Fortunately, there are a couple of ways to ensure your wristwatch is checked it’s authenticity quickly.

In this guide, we’ll provide 8 easy tips for determining whether your wristwatch is the real deal.

Not sure how to avoid getting fooled when buying a luxury watch? Keep reading for some simple tips to help you make the right choice!

How to Know the Original wrist watch: 8 Simple Steps

1. Check the Brand Markings and Logo

When you're checking out your watch, start by taking a good look at the brand's logo and other markings on the dial, case, and strap. Real watches have sharp and exact engravings. On the other hand, counterfeit watches often show sloppy, uneven, or fuzzy logos.

Pay attention to:

• Font: Real watches use a certain type of lettering that matches the brand's official style. If the letters seem wrong or don't look well-printed, you might have a fake watch on your hands.
• Positioning: The placement of the logo should also be perfect. If it’s slightly off-center or misaligned, that’s a red flag.
• Engravings: Luxury watches usually have subtle, deep, and sharp engravings on the case back or strap. Counterfeits may have shallow engravings that can be easily rubbed off or scratched.

2. Verify the Serial and Model Numbers

Every original wristwatch has an engraved serial number or model which proves its originality. They are typically engraved on the lugs, case back, or between the lugs.

To check these:

• Locate the numbers: Look for the watch’s model number and serial number. They can typically be found on the back of the watch, or adjacent to the lugs.
• Verify the numbers: Use the brand’s official website or authorized dealers to verify if the serial and model numbers match the watch you have.

If the serial number looks poorly etched or doesn’t match the details on the brand’s website, it’s likely a fake.

3. Warranty Card

A real wristwatch often comes with a warranty card. This card proves the watch is genuine and offers protection if the watch has any factory flaws. When you buy a watch, this card plays a key role. It's also one of the simplest ways to check if your watch is authentic or counterfeit.

When you get a watch, take a close look at the warranty card:

• Look for the details: A real warranty card will include the brand name, the model and serial number of your watch, and the date of purchase. You’ll also find the authorized dealer’s stamp. If any of this info is missing or seems off, there’s a good chance it’s a fake.
• Check the quality: Authentic warranty cards are usually made from good-quality material. They might even have embossed logos or holographic features. Fake cards, on the other hand, can feel flimsy or look like something printed at home.
• Match the numbers: Always double-check the serial number and model number on the warranty card with the ones on the watch itself. If they don’t match or the card looks like a generic piece of paper, it's likely not the real deal.

4. Material 

One of the easiest things to establish is that your watch is authentic by checking what it is composed of. Quality authentic watches employ top-quality materials that are pleasing to the eyes but also of good quality that will endure use. Counterfeits, on the other hand, attempt to cut costs on everything, employing poor-quality plastics and affordable metals that make them lightweight.

Here’s how you can check the material quality of your watch:

• Metal Quality: The luxury watch is usually manufactured using premium metals such as stainless steel, silicone, or even precious metals such as gold. They are robust, rust-resistant, and appear sleek. If your watch is too light or the metal appears or feels plasticy, that's a red flag.
• Finish and Polish: Take a good glance at the watch’s finish. Original watches have nice, neat surfaces that have been polished to perfection. Look out for rough areas, unevenly polished areas, or rough edges that have not been finished well. That is a good indicator that it is not original.

5. Watch packaging 

One easy way to verify whether your watch is authentic is to check the packaging or watch box. Authentic watches tend to come in a nicely constructed box that's thick enough to guard the watch, but not too thick or bulky. The box must feel solid and look sleek.

Look closely at the printed text on the box. If you find any misspellings, smudged writing, or anything that seems off, it's probably a fake. Genuine packaging will have clean, professional-looking printing, with the brand's logo prominently shown and nothing that doesn't belong.

6. Watch Price

Luxury watches are produced using unique methods and superior materials, and therefore they typically come with a high price, from hundreds of thousands to even millions of rupees.

If the price is too cheap or there are huge discounts, that must be a red flag. While luxury watches can lose value over time, the drop is usually slow and stays within a reasonable range.

For new watches, check the brand’s official website for the recommended price. For used watches, websites like Watch Analytics can help you compare prices and make sure you’re not overpaying.

7. Watch Weight 

The material of a watch makes up much of its weightiness. Real luxury watches that are manufactured using good-quality materials like stainless steel, leather, or silicone will weigh more but will also have a sturdy texture on your wrist. Even though they are that heavy, though, there is also care taken to make sure that they will stay comfortable on your wrist.

On the contrary, most counterfeit watches are manufactured using lower-cost materials that make them lightweight and weaker. It is easy to recognize that there is a difference in terms of weight regarding authentic versus counterfeit watches.

So, before making that buy, try on or hold it by hand first. When it is too lightweight or off-balance, there is also a probability that it is counterfeit.

8. Watch Dial Details

The dial of a watch is one of the easiest ways to tell if it’s real or fake. Genuine watches have sharp, clean details, while fake ones often have mistakes or look cheap.

Here’s what to check:

• Clear Markings: Real watches have clear hour markers, minute markers, and logos. The text should be sharp and easy to read. Fake watches might have blurry or poorly printed text.
• Even Surface: The dial should be smooth and even. If you notice scratches or bumps, it might be a fake.
• Hand Alignment: The hands of the watch should line up perfectly with the markers. If the hands don’t match up or move unevenly, it’s probably fake.
• Complex Features: Many high-end watches have special features like date windows or extra subdials. Fake watches might try to copy these but usually don’t get the details right.

Where to Buy Wrist Watches 

If you're looking to buy a wristwatch online, the best place to start is the official Sylvi website. It has the full range of its latest collections, and you'll know you're getting an authentic watch with every purchase.

You can also find Sylvi watches on trusted online platforms that are authorized to sell them. These sites are reliable and offer secure payment options, so you can shop with confidence. Just make sure to buy from sites that are well-known for selling genuine watches, so you don't end up with a fake.

Stick to these trusted sources to ensure you're getting a real Sylvi watch and a smooth shopping experience.