First things first, let’s talk about the obvious stuff. Like, the logo. Duh. Check it out, *really* check it out. Is the typography clean? Is it aligned properly? Fake logos often look…off. You know, a bit wonky, a little blurry, just generally *wrong*. It’s like that feeling when you see a knock-off brand at a discount store and something just screams “FAKE!” at you. Trust your gut!
Then there’s the whole build quality thing. I mean, Seiko’s known for being pretty solid, right? Even their more affordable models feel like they’ve got some substance. So, if the watch feels flimsy, or the caseback seems like it’s gonna fall off after two wears, that’s a big ol’ red flag. Especially those “NOS” SKXs floating around. Some of those are just straight-up garbage, not worth the metal they’re made from.
And speaking of the caseback, look for that serial number! A genuine Seiko will have a 6-digit serial number etched (not just printed, *etched*) into the back. No serial number? Walk away. Seriously. And while you’re at it, scope out the movement caliber and dial code printed near the 6 o’clock marker. It’s like a secret handshake, but for watches.
One thing that really bugs me about fakes is the attention to detail, or lack thereof. Check the hands and index markers. Are they glowing correctly? Real Seiko lume is usually pretty good. If they’re overly white, or the glow is weak or non-existent, you’re probably holding a dud. Oh, and I’ve seen some fakes with carved writing on the crystal – that’s a dead giveaway. Seiko doesn’t do that!
Now, here’s where things get a little…personal. Packaging. A proper Seiko will come in Seiko packaging. Sounds obvious, right? But sometimes, the fakers get lazy. The box might feel cheap, the papers might be missing, or the warranty card might be a total joke. Use your common sense. Does this *feel* like it’s worth the price?
Honestly, spotting a fake Seiko isn’t always easy. Some of these counterfeiters are getting pretty good. But by paying attention to the details – the logo, the build quality, the serial number, the lume, and even the packaging – you can significantly increase your chances of getting the real deal.
