We have already mentioned on the website how to search for the differences between a replica and a genuine Seamaster. The easiest way to tell a Breitling replica from a genuine one is on the movement. Make sure the movement is automatic AND the chronographs work. How do you tell? An automatic movement has a sweeping second hand. In other words, the second hand does not tick once every second, instead, it sweeps smoothly through a series of very, very fine ticks. To look for genuine chronographs, try to operate them by pressing little buttons on the side. The chronographs should be able to act as stop watches, and NOT just keep track of the seconds, hours and day. Fake chronographs either don't work, or can't act as timers.

The rest of the watches are very hard to tell apart from their genuine counterparts. It is because genuine Rolex watches are so detailed and distinct that even replica manufacturers miss the fine details. The best way is always to get a picture of a genuine watch from an authorized site or catalog, and compare it to the one you are purchasing from. Chances are, there are some differences. For example, on Cartier replicas, the roman numeral markers in a lot of cases are larger than on the genuine ones. The SIZES are by far the easiest things to look for. Almost in every replica in the world, you will notice that even if the engravings/markings are correct, the sizes are always off slightly. Either the roman numeral markers are smaller, the luminescent markers are smaller, or commonly, the minute/hour hands are not the same size and shape.

This is what we highly suggest for all watch buyers concerned with real watches or a great replica.

• PURCHASE GENUINE WATCHES ONLY FROM AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, they are carefully picked out by the watch companies and is the only way to guarantee you will be getting a 100% authentic item.
• AVOID purchasing from auctions or estate sales. Or eBay for that matter, many dealers in the past have put this "disclaimer" in their auctions.
• Make sure you can see and feel the watch, make sure the website you buy with has a good return policy.
• If it looks too good to be true– it probably is! Many SCAM websites offer amazing deals. Then after your money is gone so are they and your item.
• Get a certificate, a box, AND all booklets with your watch, replicas are normally only made of the certificate and box, not booklets.
• WHEN IN DOUBT, DO NOT PURCHASE!

Slight Variations

One major problem found on most replicas is that each replica may be slightly different. This is regardless of whether it is a Swiss, Japanese, or even Asians. Some are made with more markings than others; some are made with more gold plating than others. We will state below what some possible variations are, and how to ensure you get a good one.

The majority of replica watches in this category are modeled after each other. So that means that the luminescent markers all look very similar. The second and minute hands are very similar as well on certain watches. The same goes for the screw-down crowns without engravings. To minimize manufacturing costs, many parts on the watches are re-used on other watches. So don't be surprised to find the exact same second/minute hands on a Rolex as you do on a Tag replica.

Common Features - Asian Models

Here are some very common features found on all replica watches, and detailed description of each 17-jewel Asian automatic movement with sweeping second hand.

- NOT 21 jewels or 25 jewels as some sites claim. Do not believe them. There is no such thing as a 21-jewel Asian movement. As a matter of fact, most sites don't even know what different number of ‚jewels on a watch means. It differentiates between the frequency of beats of the watch, so the higher the number of jewels, the more smoothly the second hand ticks and the more accurate the watch is 17-jewel Asian automatic movement. All Asian automatic watches use ONLY a 17-jewel Asian automatic movement at the most.

 Please note that most chronograph watches (watches with small dials on them) do not have automatic movements, and are all battery run. These models, working sub-dials and working stop watches, such as cheaper Daytonas, all only Quartz. However some Daytonas feature working Day-Date chronos that are indeed automatic watches. 

We talk in detail about chronographs in our Replica Report.

• Automatic movements are distinctive in that they have a sweeping second hand. The second hand sweeps instead of ticking once every second.
• Automatic movements generally are quite rare in models other than Rolex replicas. You will definitely find them on most non-chronograph Rolex and the Seamaster replicas, and possibly the Tag Heuer replicas (we suggest NOT getting an automatic Kirium replica because they are lower in quality than the battery-run Kirium replicas).
• Some of the automatic Cartier replicas out are slightly higher in quality than the rest of the high-grade quality replicas.
• Most Cartier replicas are battery movements.

• These are found on most other brands of replica watches. A quartz movement is run by a battery, and the second hand ticks every second. Some quartz chronograph watches have been manufactured with a sweeping second hand, but all chronograph watches are battery operated (except for some Pashas mentioned later).
• These movements definitely last longer than the automatic movements. We have had some that have lasted for almost 10 years. Like we said before, just because a watch is manufactured or assembled in China does NOT make it a cheap watch.
• You could expect these watches to last for about 2-5 years no problem, with battery changes annually.

The gold is actually another metal that looks like gold, and is slightly considerably shinier than genuine gold. As for the 4-5 microns, we really can't say that is an accurate measure of the plating. It is just an estimate that sites place up. How long will it last? Normally anywhere from 6 months to a year. They do last quite long if you don't wear them vigorously, especially when you sweat. 

Asian, Mineral Crystal Glass Face

No Rolex replicas in the Asian categories have a mineral crystal glass face. Again, don't believe what you hear on the net. We have indeed seen one or two brands that did have a genuine sapphire crystal face. But we forgot the name of the brand, and we am sure it is not one of the popular ones such as Omega, Rolex, Breitling, Tag, Cartier, etc. It was a quartz brand. If someone knows, please let us know. A lot of those people don't even know how to differentiate a genuine sapphire crystal glass face from just a regular glass face. Sapphire crystal is a very tough and durable crystal that is virtually scratchproof. Mineral crystal is a lower quality glass face. But for a $125-$150 replica of a $10,000 watch, what more can you ask for? If you are that picky, maybe you should just get the real thing and forget about replicas.

Asian, Stainless Steel Construction

The stainless steel on all the Asian replicas is plated. Period. Absolutely NO solid stainless steel construction will be found on anything below the Japanese Grade 1 quality replicas. The plating varies on each watch, but generally is thick enough to hold off for a good year. We highly suggest purchasing a solid stainless steel band if you are worried about the stainless steel wearing off. We have seen them around here and there, but the prices can go up high to over $100 each. You will see in one of the sections below that we have listed the stainless steel wearing off as the biggest problem encountered on replica watches.

There is a lot of controversy over the glow-in-the-dark markers. A lot of people have purchased these watches and found out later that they don't glow in the dark. You should first confirm this by ‚charging the luminescent markers. Bring it outdoors to the sun (or likewise, in front of any light) and let the luminescent markers absorb the light for at least a few hours. Then, turn off all lights completely and see if they glow in the dark. Generally we have noticed that the ones that glow brightly in the dark appear to be a bright white color when lights are turned on. The ones that are a pale green color generally don't glow in the dark as well as the bright white ones.

Another problem with the luminescent markers is that sometimes they are not completely centered and are slightly off. The watches that have stick markers (such as some Breitlings and Rolex replicas) avoid this problem.

60-position uni-directional bezel. Here is another example of how many of these replica watches share the same parts. All replica watches that have a uni-directional bezel have 60 different positions that they lock in to. This means that all of those watches are using the same mechanism under the bezel again, to cut costs for the manufacturer. Japanese and Swiss models do in fact have the Proper Luminescent markers.

For Rolex replicas, nothing short of the Swiss and Japanese replicas have screws on the band. The same goes with other brands and models, most feature pins. They all have a pin that goes through one end of the band and comes out the other. There are certain brands that have other mechanisms holding the links together other than a pin. For example, the Omega Seamaster replicas are held together by L-shaped links and some Cartier replicas are held together by screws on the flat surface of the links. But in general, wherever screws are needed to hold the links together, you will instead find pins on cheaply made watches, Asians. 

As an alternative, you can purchase a solid stainless steel band with screws for roughly $100-$125 or higher. We personally don't find the screws as a big issue at all. If you are going to just wear the watch everyday, no one is ever going to ask you to take off your watch and look at the screws. But at first they might, so why not avoid the embarrassment.