First off, why are you even thinking about a fake? I mean, a real AP is like, a *real* AP. It’s craftsmanship, it’s history, it’s… well, it’s a status symbol, let’s be honest. But okay, I get it. Maybe your budget isn’t quite there yet, or maybe you just want the *look* without dropping a down payment on a house. Fine. Just know what you’re getting into.
The biggest thing? The diamonds, obviously. A real AP, even an iced-out one, is gonna have *real* diamonds. Like, *good* diamonds. Not that cubic zirconia crap. A fake, especially one trying to look all blinged out, is gonna use something… cheaper. Moissanite might be what your looking at, they seem to be pushing that stuff pretty hard these days. Now, moissanite isn’t *bad*, per se. It’s sparkly! But it ain’t a diamond. And anyone who knows their watches will spot the difference a mile away.
And the ticking! Oh man, the ticking. Real APs are known for being super smooth and quiet. You should barely hear anything. A fake? It might sound like a freakin’ clock shop. I saw something about that online, and I think it’s true. Pay attention to the sound. It is probably the easiest way to tell.
Then there’s the overall quality. This is where it gets tricky. Some fakes are getting *really* good. But still, the details matter. Look at the finishing. Is it clean? Are the edges sharp? Are the screws all properly aligned? Does the date wheel look wonky? I saw on some forum, some dude was complaining about his fake AP the date was like, half-covered. Like dude, c’mon.
Honestly, if you’re not a watch expert, you’re rolling the dice. You’re best bet is to go to someone who knows what they’re doing. They’ll be able to help you decide if it’s fake or not.
And here’s my completely unsolicited opinion: if you can’t afford a real iced-out AP, maybe… don’t get one? There are tons of other cool watches out there. Maybe look at a nice Seiko or something. You know, something that’s actually *real* and within your budget. Save up for the real deal, because there is nothing worse than wearing something that’s “fake”.
