IWC Da Vinci

How can I tell if my watch is authentic?

Jan

Welcome Jan!
Asking the IWC forum (given that your watch is an IWC) is already the first step.

You may want post some pictures of your watch. Many knowledgeable people posting regularly will be able to help you out.
This is the proper way to post an image:

Another way to tell if it's fake or not is by comparison. Go to an AD and ask for the same watch you are wearing, or ask them to authenticate the item.
If you cannot find an AD near you, you may want to check the watch's weight, I personally think it's a quick way to check if real or not, if one does not know a lot about IWC...

SHING, (a well-known forummer here) listed some steps in order to avoid buying fakes:

Good luck!

Guillaume

Determining Real or Fake Watch

My opinion only - you should be able to get a new one from an authorized dealer fairly easily.

But if your friend / a seller is letting it go for a great price that cannot be passed up, then I think the 'genuine or not question' can be answered in the following ways:

a) Do you trust your friend, and does he have a good reason for not having box and papers, and where and when did he get the watch from ? so this here is 'buy the seller, not just the watch' - i.e. does your instinct and senses tell u the seller is trustworthy ?

I have three pre-owned pieces without box and papers, and am perfectly fine with that (but not everyone feels the same way).

b) the dial and the case back can be authenticated visually - google for images of the case back (although there are great fakes out there). So this here is the visual authentication, much dependent on one's ability to determine genuineness in the metal or in the pics.

c) size and weight - if you have access to the workbooks (older models you can find it here: www.weeber.biz/IWC/Workbook/2007/3255_s.pdf) you can use measurement tools to measure and weigh to ensure it is according to specs. perhaps a bit extreme, but I do it myself, especially on the weight - I am not beyond bringing an electronic balance to check the watch's weight. the workbook says, for example, the ref 325502 weighs 71 grams, measures 39mm and is 11.5 mm tall, and lug size is 20mm. I suppose if it is a fake, (hopefully) at least one of these details will be wrong.

d) try setting the watch - adjust the hour and minute hands; slow adjust the date; quick adjust the date; check if the hacking seconds stop when the crown is pulled to position 2. this ensures the movement & complications are as according to published specs, and also checks for the working condition of the watch.

e) if a service center is nearby, would the seller be willing to go with you and have the watch authenticated there?

I am guessing it would be through the case and movement number of the watch (and the solid caseback - or any caseback for that matter - will have to be removed by an experienced watchmaker).

f) If you pay by paypal or credit card, there is an avenue for dispute if u do not get a real watch. So here: possibility for getting your money back through a payment 'buffer'.