First things first, the bezel. That’s the thingy around the watch face with the eight, count ’em, EIGHT hexagonal screws. Now, a real Royal Oak bezel is polished to perfection. Like, *gleaming*. The screws should be perfectly spaced, not wonky or uneven. If they look kinda cheap or like they were installed by a toddler, that’s a HUGE red flag, ya dig?
Then there’s the movement. With many genuine Royal Oaks (especially the fancier ones), you can see the guts of the watch through a transparent caseback. And let me tell you, those “guts” are a work of art. Intricate, detailed, just… beautiful. A fake? Well, it’s gonna look like… well, cheap gears stuffed in there. Pro tip: Google what the actual movement should look like for the specific model you’re eyeing. Compare it *carefully*.
And the dial, oh man, the dial. This is where a lot of fakes fall flat on their face. The Royal Oak is famous for its “tapisserie” pattern – those tiny, perfect squares. Like, *microscopic* squares. A real AP tapisserie is flawless. The squares are all uniform, clean-cut. A fake? You’ll probably see unevenness, smudging, or just a generally cheap look to it. Trust your eyes on this one; if it looks off, it probably IS. Also, the markings and fonts. Real APs have this crisp, clean writing. No blurring, no jagged edges. Fakes? Can be a total mess.
Honestly, it’s kinda mind-blowing how good some of these fakes are getting these days. Like, they’re getting *real* sneaky. But there are always tell-tale signs. The devil’s in the details, as they say. And let’s be real, Audemars Piguet is all about the details.
Another thing, if the price seems too good to be true? It probably is. A genuine Royal Oak is a *major* investment. If you’re finding a “brand new” one for a fraction of the retail price, walk away. Just walk away. It’s likely a fake, or worse, stolen.
Now, I’m not saying I’m an expert or anything, but I’ve been around the block, you know? I’ve seen some truly atrocious fakes that people were *trying* to pass off as the real deal. And it’s just sad. Like, who wants to be walking around with a blatant fake on their wrist?
I think, too, it’s about the *feel*. A genuine Royal Oak just *feels* different. The weight, the smoothness of the metal, the way the bracelet sits on your wrist… it’s all meticulously crafted. A fake? It’ll feel cheap and flimsy. Hard to describe, but you’ll know it when you feel it.
