Spotting Fake Patek Philippe Watches Guide

Watch_kha_wen · 2019-04-13T04:17:18Z

Learn to spot fake Patek Philippe watches. This guide covers common tells like tourbillon placement, dial details, crown, and movement type to help identify replicas.

Watch_kha_wen's encounter with a suspicious Patek Philippe tourbillon on the London Underground sparks a crucial community discussion on identifying replica watches. This thread serves as an important guide for new collectors, highlighting common tells of counterfeit pieces and emphasizing the value of hands-on experience with genuine articles. The insights shared help demystify the complexities of authenticating high-end timepieces.

Hi all,

The other day while I was in the tube at Waterloo station I saw a guy with the below watch at his wrist (It was a white metal one but tourbillon and looking quite similar to the one there)

I was a bit intrigued so i googled it and foudn this one which only appears on replica websites apparently...

has that model ever been released or is that a pure replica ?

One weird thing was the tourbillon looked "static" but i'm not myself a tourbillon expert though..

Kev

Key Points from the Discussion

Patek Philippe consistently places its tourbillons on the back of the watch, never displayed on the front, partly for discretion and to protect accuracy from sunlight exposure.
The watch in question is identified as an 'open balance' design, not a true tourbillon, often found in cheap Chinese movements and referred to as 'open heart' in genuine, lower-end brands.
Key indicators of a fake Patek Philippe include disparate elements, sharp edges on dial cutouts, lack of symmetry, an incorrect crown, and an overall cheap appearance.
Hands-on experience with genuine watches at dealers and boutiques is the most effective way to train one's eye to distinguish fakes from authentic pieces.
The absence of the Patek Philippe sign on the crown is another tell-tale sign of a counterfeit watch.

The Discussion

sham1

Apr 13, 2019

A poor copy. Also please note that Patek always places its tourbillon at the back of the watch rather than displayed in front. Partly due to discretion and partly due to the fact that the sunlight is said to affect the accuracy of the tourbillon. Patek tourbillons are among the most accurate.

ZSHSZ

Apr 13, 2019

It’s called Patek Philippe Richard Lange Tourbillon ...🤣 Dear Sir that is a total fake !!!

Watch_kha_wen

Apr 13, 2019

thanks all for your replies/confirmations !! I am far from being a patek expert (only have 1) but I sensed that something was wrong + the tourbillon was really static and not moving but I was not sure if sometime it stops as expected or something like that. Anyway I'm quite happy i can (maybe it's pure luck) start to flag when something is wrong with a watch hehe Kev

watch-er

Apr 13, 2019

but a new design made by someone other than PP.

watchme

Apr 13, 2019

it's a Chinese movement made in Hong Kong and it's an "open balance," not a tourbillon. Horrible wanna-be. -Dean

Watch_kha_wen

Apr 13, 2019

Usually also I think there is the sign of the patek on the crow no? On that one I noticed there was nothing. Anyway did not know who that chap was but found that quite interesting. I am sure 4 years ago I would not have even been able to say what patek is hahaha Kev

Key Points from the Discussion

Continue the conversation

More from this Forum