First off, don’t just assume “it looks good” is enough. That’s how they getcha! You gotta be a detective. I mean, think about it, you wouldn’t blindly trust a dodgy bloke selling “Rolexes” out of a suitcase, right? Same principle.
Now, the easiest thing to spot, and I’m talking like, *duh* obvious, is the dial. The text. The numbers. If the font looks wonky, the spacing is off, or the Panerai logo looks like it was drawn by a five-year-old with a crayon – red flag! Like, HUGE red flag. One thing I read said something about the numbers being in the wrong place – that’s an instant giveaway. Don’t even need to think about it.
Then there’s the feel of the thing. A real Panerai, especially a Firenze 1860, is gonna feel substantial. It’s gotta have that heft, that quality. If it feels light and cheap, almost like plastic-y, even if it looks okay-ish, walk away. Fast. The materials used are important. Check for consistent finishing, no rough edges, and a solid feel to the bezel and case.
And don’t even get me started on the movement. Unless you’re a watchmaker, you probably can’t crack it open and check, but the *sound* can give you a clue. A cheap fake will often have a loud, clunky ticking sound. A real Panerai will be smoother, quieter, higher-quality. Though honestly, that one’s tricky unless you know what you’re listening for. (And some fakes are getting good at mimicking the sounds now, too, so don’t rely on just that).
Here’s something I’ve seen people mention – box and papers. Okay, yeah, if you’re buying a *used* Panerai, maybe the person lost the box and papers. But if you’re buying what’s supposed to be a new one, and they don’t have ’em? Sketchy as heck. And even if they *do* have ’em, check ’em out! The paperwork should match the watch’s serial number and model. If something seems off, trust your gut. And remember some guy on some forum said he thought it was a “bad fake” cuz it didn’t have box and papers.
Now, lemme just say something. I’m no expert. I’m just some dude on the internet sharing what I’ve read and learned. So, if you’re *really* unsure, get it checked out by a professional watch authenticator. It’s worth the money for peace of mind. Seriously. The thought of dropping thousands on a fake… *shudders*.
Finally, and this is just my opinion, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. Nobody’s gonna sell you a genuine Panerai for pennies on the dollar. Unless they’re, like, desperately broke and don’t know what they have. But c’mon, what are the odds?
