It is exciting to come across what seems to be a great deal on an Audemars Piguet watch. Before you get too excited, it’s important to determine if you’re seeing the real thing or if you’ve come across some sort of Audemars Piguet. But how do I know if my Audemars Piguet watch is real or a fake? Fortunately, there are a few different ways to tell a real or watch apart. This is true even if you don’t consider yourself an expert. Make goodd use of these tips and your chances of making an informed purchase will be better.
Some background information on the history of Audemars Piguet will help you in your efforts to identify a real or watch. Launched in 1875 by Jules Louis Audemars and Edward Auguste Piguet, the brand has made excellent use of the skills that each man brought to the company. Audemars was adept at making complex and precise watch movements, while Piguet excelled in sales and general quality control.
By the turn of the century, the brand was considered to be one of the high quality replica watches in Europe. This reputation continued to spread in the first decades of the 20th century. Even after the founders’ deaths in 1918 and 1919, their standards remained a guiding light for the business.
Today, the company continues to produce what is considered some of the most accurate and highest-quality watches on the market. As with other luxury brands, these watches maintain their value and are increasingly in demand as time goes on.
With this background in mind, how do you tell the difference between a real and a watch? A good place to start is with the seller. If you are dealing with an Audemars Piguet boutique, rest assured that every watch offered through that venue has been authenticated. Experts have determined that the watch was made using a proprietary movement and the correct materials, and bears all the markings associated with a genuine watch.
Perhaps you are wondering how you can distinguish between a properly authorized Audemars Piguet store and one that merely claims to be authorized. An authorized dealer will have all the documentation to confirm that the business is operating with the knowledge and consent of the brand. If the store’s staff seems hesitant to provide documentation, take that as a sign to look elsewhere.
Another sign that you may be looking at an Audemars Piguet fake is the price. While private collectors sometimes liquidate their watches for their own reasons, a price that seems to be well below current market value is something that should give you pause and pause for thought.
In this case, take some time to research what others are charging for the same type and design. If you notice that an authorized dealer is charging much more than what you are being offered, approach the deal with caution. It could be that the seller just needs to sell the watch quickly. It is also possible that the watch is a fake.
There are a few things that can help you determine if you are looking at a real Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watch or a replica. It all has to do with the gold used in the design of the watch. Hopefully, the gold has a slight sheen to it, but not something that looks more like gold plating or even brass. The finish will be pleasing to the eye and not as distracting as the kind of shine you find in big box brands. If you have a hard time distinguishing this watch from something you can buy at any discount store, then it’s probably a fake.
The face of the Audemars Piguet Las Vegas watches you are considering offers another clue. You will find that the dial design should include what is called a Tapisserie pattern. This pattern is very difficult to replicate for anyone outside of the company. For this reason, some produced for quick sale will omit the motif altogether and hope that the unfortunate buyer will not notice. Others will try to produce a pattern, but it will be drawn a bit poorly. If you see a problem with any of these patterns, walk away and keep looking for a genuine watch.
Look closely at the stamp on the watch. Like the pattern, it is difficult to duplicate. The stamp should also be in the centre, not a little to the left or right. It will be clear and easy to read. If you find the stamp off-centre and perhaps a little blurry, then you are looking at nothing but an Audemars Piguet Miami.
This is a brand that never settles for inferior materials. If you hold the watch in your hand, you will find that it is heavier than most basic brands. If you find a so-called Audemars Piguet fake New York watch that doesn’t seem heavier than the one you bought at a discount store some time ago, it’s not real. What you have is a made from materials designed to imitate appearance rather than quality.
If the watch comes in what appears to be an authentic Audemars Piguet box, there is another way you can confirm that it is authentic. The box will be made of wood and not some other material. The liner will be smooth to the touch, and the brand name will appear in the centre of the box lid, either in the middle or at the bottom. The stain chosen for the wood will vary depending on the vintage and design. Fortunately, it is easy to find pictures online that will help you determine if this box is original.