How to spot a fake quartz Aquaracer

U
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Mspeedster Mspeedster
That does look better from afar. However, the TAG logo is now out of focus, so it's even harder to analyze the details when zooming in.
tag 2c.jpg


But I agree it's super hard to visually spot the differences on these well made fakes. I can spot fakes of the F1 Gulf easily because I own the real deal. For the average buyer who doesn't have an authentic piece to compare, it's very hard to know.

One lesson I learned is that only good photos/cameras in the since of resolution and noise handling are valid when it comes to small details.

I just wont to emphasis that even genuine TAG could be dismissed on poor gravuer with poor photo quality. Its difficult to say if poor detail is from noise handling i an iPhone or just poorly performed.

Is the lume colour scheme ever an issue when comparing? In my watch that would have been a red flag even without open it or use of a good camera.
Edited:
 
dtf
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Mspeedster Mspeedster
But I agree it's super hard to visually spot the differences on these well made fakes. I can spot fakes of the F1 Gulf easily because I own the real deal. For the average buyer who doesn't have an authentic piece to compare, it's very hard to know.

I think the situation with the WAY fakes is worse than this. I’ve probably cumulatively had one on my wrist for two years straight now. I still have to look REALLY hard at photos to spot that one is fake, as apart from the lume pip the details are quite subtle. I’d be interested to compare them side by side in the metal and see how the fake feels.
 
Shane paradis
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Aquagraph Aquagraph
Maybe. But I look at it like this. I would 100% think that Watchfinder could spot a fake better than I could. And yet here in this thread we've decided that Watchfinder don't know that they have a fake grey dial Aquaracer*. I am sure WF have a lot more experience than I do so if they can't spot a fake I got no chance. I spend every day looking at only one watch brand, so I would say 99% of people out there should buy from an AD because 99% of people have less of a clue than even me.

*I'm not sure either way on that but whatever.
That’s a good point
U Patrick Pihl
Im not 100% convinced that one could tell from bad photos. As I said it look much better IRL. I gave it a thought and landed in that my iphone processed a lot of low light noise and smothered out details. The photo below looks much better than the one on page 3. Anyway the movement gave it away for sure. TAG service centre had the watch for repair/service and did not noticed it was fake until they opened it. Another reputed watch firm here in Sweden said it was genuine and they even changed the battery and was asked the specific question, is it real?
tag 2.jpg
Did they say how they determined it was fake? I’m curious as to what they found inside
 
U
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Shane paradis Shane paradis
That’s a good point

Did they say how they determined it was fake? I’m curious as to what they found inside

Well, it was not the right movement so I guess that was it.
 
RockBurner
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Mspeedster Mspeedster
The problem with the "Is My TAG Heuer Authentic?" thread is that there are literally thousands (6000+) of posts in it, making it almost impossible to find things. I rarely ever read that thread now days.

It would be better if one of the mods, @Hubert or @Albert-AMG, could rename this thread something like "How to spot a fake quartz Aquaracer" and make it a sticky.

It also would be helpful if @Patrick Pihl can post an actual copy of the official TAG Heuer response here, with anything personal deleted or covered up. That way it's more than just hearsay found on the internet.


Would make a good subject for a blog post.....
 
Mspeedster
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This is what happens when you learn you have a fake, make a video about destroying it. Although he claims it's real. 🙄
 
bpsmith
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Mspeedster Mspeedster
This is what happens when you learn you have a fake, make a video about destroying it. Although he claims it's real. 🙄
Lovely Shou Sugi Ban case and bracelet.
 
S
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U Ulltand
Ebay has a Swedish branch named Tradera from were i bougt it. You can buy things there with an extra inductance that the object arrives and fits the description.

Listen to this:

The watchmaker that opened it here gave me a printed service history. Watch sold to me as new demo had the warranty started ticking 26 month ago. Two day before warranty ending it had unknown service in Germany not on warranty registered. If my watch is a fake someone else has the real one with the same serial number. If the watch is genuine why would it be sent to non guaranty service close to selling? Only I can think of to refresh it and maybe replace a scratch insert. Well that's far fetched i know 😀
Hi @Ulltand , I have unfortunately found myself in a somewhat similar situation. I recently purchased an Aquaracer via Tradera (I assumed that being in Sweden this was more reliable than "crime bay" but clearly not!). It seems I am not the first to make this mistake either as the seller has 170 good reviews and only 1 negative (maybe this in itself should have been a red flag - unless they reviews are real and the others are all unaware that what they bought was fake!). The watch hasnt arrived yet but as per earlier input from our friend @Jim Dollares (thanks again!) on another thread, it seems I too have been sold a dud 🙁 I also paid for extra buyer protection insurance via Trader fortunately so I am hopeful I might be able to resolve this mess somehow...

I wondered how did you get on with your issue in the end? Was it possible to resolve it via Tradera? Did you need more evidence aside from the expert views on this forum? Would you recommend I speak directly to the seller re this first or immediately raise the request now (before it arrives) via Tradera? Thanks for your time!
 
Aquagraph
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Imagine owning a company that offers to guarantee authenticity on used Aquaracers but doesn't inspect them. 🤪
 
RockBurner
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Jim Dollares Jim Dollares
'How to spot a fake quartz Aquaracer'

a daily blog by RB

All I'd need to do is set an automatic scraper of the "Is my Tag authentic" thread!
 
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