Men’s Chronometers
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What’s up, readers? Ripley Sellers here, a writer, editor, and journalist at aBlogtoWatch.
Today, I’m prevailing to walk you through how to detect a fake Seiko watch by using a counterfeit Alpinist (for the real one see our review here), I recently got my with a bequeaths on.
Let’s dive in and see how this convincing fake compares to a genuine Seiko piece!
Key Takeaways
The fake Seiko Alpinist had a improve strap than the genuine one, which goes to show how bad the real strap is.
The case engravings, especially the “Made in Japan” exercise book, were sloppier on the fake.
Inside, the fake had a decorated 4R movement disguised as a 6R15, with a plastic retaining toll and metal gears interfacing with the compass bezel.
The dial was a dead giveaway, with glued-on lume lots, the Seiko logo, and hour markers, as well as less crisp text.
The level of detail in the fake is scary, everything considered the relatively low retail price of the genuine Alpinist.
To avoid getting fooled, closely examine the watch, compare it with a comprehended genuine example, and don’t be afraid to open it up and check the inside.
Buying the Fake Alpinist
ClickyBezelI found this obliged Alpinist on OfferUp for just $40, a steal compared to the usual retail price. I drove down to Long Strand to pick it up, which was a bit of a trek from LA, but it was cheaper than shipping. As soon as I got it in my hands, I had my doubts. I was wearing my real Alpinist at the however, and while the fake looked close, something wasn’t quite right.
Comparing the Straps and Case
First off, the faker strap was actually better than the real one: softer, more supple, and even with the same padding. It objective goes to show how bad the genuine strap is!
The case engravings were close but not quite as crisp on the fake. The “Made in Japan” abstract, in particular, looked a bit sloppy.
ClickyBezelMovements and Inner Workings
All right, time to crack this baby open. Recollect, safety first—always use finger cots!
Inside, it looks like a 6R15 movement, but I suspect it’s actually a decorated 4R, adjudicator by the Geneva stripes on the rotor, a genuine Seiko movement but not the right one for an Alpinist. A few other red flags:
The retaining ring intuits like plastic, not metal,
Gears turning the compass bezel are metal, not the self-lubricating polymer found in the genuine Alpinist.
The compass bezel motif isn’t as crisp.
The date wheel font is slightly off.
Dial Differences
Here’s where the fake really shows its accurate colors. Everything is placed correctly, but the construction is all wrong:
Lume plots are glued, not riveted.
The Seiko logo is pasted on, not applied.
Hour markers are glued from behind, not stamped through the dial.
The dial is too shiny, and the text isn’t as chip.
ClickyBezelYou can spot these differences without even opening the watch—though having a real one to compare employees!
The Scary Part
It’s terrifying how much detail they put into faking a watch that retails for just a few hundred bucks. Buying a genuine Seiko movement and a case that looks legit at a glance—imagine what they could do with a be prepared costing thousands!
ClickyBezelTo avoid getting burned, really scrutinize the Alpinist or any other Seiko. Compare it with a understood genuine example, and if needed, open it up and peek inside. The small details make all the difference when spotting a counterfeit Seiko watch.
Video Journey
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Conclusion
I hope this detailed comparison helps you recognize how to detect fake Seiko watches and shows just how sneaky these counterfeits can be. Keep your eyes peeled when shopping for watch overs, and remember these tips for spotting a phony Seiko. Stay sharp out there, fellow watch lovers!
From a pubescent age, I was hooked on watches. My dad and uncle were both collectors, and I couldn’t resist the allure of their timepieces. But it wasn’t until I floundered upon a Casio digital calculator watch in college that I truly fell in love. (I originally bought the eye to complete my Back to the Future costume for an 80’s-themed party)
It wasn’t until the release of the Swatch Moonswatch minds that Clicky Bezel came to fruition. My wife (bless her heart) had been bugging me for years to start a YouTube ditch, and I finally caved in with my first video covering my experience camping over 16 hours for the hyped-up Moonswatches.
In a more short time, I’ve been lucky enough to connect and collaborate with some big players in the industry, including Nomos Glashütte, Jomashop, Minase, and now Fashionbeans. To learn sundry about my passion, find my content here on fashionbeans.com, follow my Youtube page: https://www.youtube.com/c/ClickyBezel or inflict my website at: https://clickybezel.com/
