Perhaps you’ve found yourself at that point in life where you want to step up your style a notch and add some class with a high-quality designer watch. It’s a milestone all should be so lucky to encounter. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a decent watch, but if you want something from the luxury category, it’s crucial that you know how to spot a fake. First of all, the old adage “if it’s too good to be true, it probably is” can save you a big headache. The price of a watch is often a good indicator of its authenticity, or lack thereof. For the most part, you’re not going to find deeply discounted designer watches. Even used watches gain value as vintage collector items. When you're examining a watch, look at the face. Check to see if the numbers are printed or engraved clearly. A fine watch will have expertly crafted details: there won't be crooked numbers or odd spaces; fonts will be crisp and clean. Fakes will often have misspellings that are easy to miss if you're not looking closely. You know what they say about location, location, location. You’re not going to get a Rolex or Cartier watch on the street, in an alley, or at a swap meet. Be careful of online sellers on sites like eBay, because it’s easy for sellers to be dishonest about their products. One of the most obvious ways to spot a fake watch is by its sound. A real designer watch doesn't make a loud ticking sound. The movement mechanisms in these watches are so fine and smooth that you shouldn't hear it working that much, if at all. If you pick up a nice-looking watch and hear a lot of tick-tock-tick-tock, you most likely have a fake in your hand. Finally, do your research. A designer watch is a major purchase, and you shouldn't just rush into it and hope for the best.
