Watch Identifier
How to tell if a watch is real
No photo, and no app, can prove a watch is genuine. Authentication needs someone qualified to open the case and inspect the movement. What you can do yourself is identify the model the watch claims to be, then check it against what that model should look like.
Checks you can make yourself
- Printing. Dial text on genuine watches is crisp and evenly spaced. Fuzzy edges, uneven letters or misspellings are warnings.
- Engraving. Reference and serial numbers should be clean and consistent in depth, and should match the papers.
- Details against the reference. Hand shape, date font, crown logo and bezel markings should match known examples of that exact reference.
- Function. Chronograph subdials that don't run, or a date that changes at the wrong time, suggest a wrong movement.
- The deal. A price far under the market, a seller in a hurry, and no documents are reasons to walk away.
Why these checks aren't proof
Good counterfeits pass a casual look, and genuine watches can carry replacement parts that fail one. A watch can also be assembled from real parts of several watches. Only the movement, case construction and serial records settle it.
Who can authenticate a watch
The brand's service centre, an authorised dealer, or an independent watchmaker with experience in that brand. For an expensive purchase, make the sale conditional on that inspection.
Do it with Watch Identifier
- Scan the watch in Watch Identifier to see which model and reference it appears to be.
- Open "Things to verify" in the report: the points a professional would check on that specific model.
- Work through them on your watch, then take anything that doesn't match to a watchmaker.
Free to identify one watch a day on iPhone and iPad.
Identifications and valuations are AI-generated estimates for informational purposes only. Watch Identifier is not a professional appraisal or an authentication service.