How to Spot a Fake Patek Philippe

Patek Phillipe watches are some of the most expensive in the world.

Antoine Norbert de Patek, a salesman, and François Czapek, a watchmaker, formed Patek, Czapek & Cie in 1831. Czapek eventually left the company and Mr. Adrien Philippe, another watchmaker, joined the company, thus creating the "Patek Phillipe" we know today. Patek Phillipe watches are some of the best and the most expensive in the world. The company prides itself on upholding the strictest values of independence, tradition, innovation, quality and workmanship, rarity, aesthetics, emotion, heritage and service. Emulated by inferior companies with subpar materials, fake Patek Phillipe watches abound. When examining a possible phony, there are several things to keep in mind.

Instructions

1. Visit the official Patek Phillipe website at www.patek.com. Find an authentic photo of the watch in question, matching the exact style and make.

2. Compare the watch in question with the photo of the authentic one. Examine them comprehensively. Compare the bezel, the outer bezel, the crown, the markers, the dial and the band. Any differences or aberrations are a sign that it's a fake.

3. Click on the words "Retail Network" on the left side menu of the Patek Phillipe website. Examine the list of designated retailers for your city and country. If the store or individual selling the watch in question is not on that list, it's likely the watch is a fake.

4. Look at the price. If the price is too low, then it's probably that low because the watch is inauthentic. Patek Phillipe watches are some of the most expensive in the world, costing thousands of dollars. If the price is in the hundreds, even the high hundreds, it's probably fake.

Tips & Warnings

• Examine the materials that the watch is made of. Nothing should feel or look cheap.

• Check for misspellings on the Patek Phillipe seal or inconsistencies with the font.

References

• Patek Phillipe
• Chong Hing Jewelers
• Replica Watch Report

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish