Keep the Replicas at Bay

It is said that Panerai comes out with limited number of watches every year. Sadly enough, the number of watches available in the market outnumber the number of watches produced! Yes, finding a Panerai watch is quite a difficult task; finding a replica is not! Statistics reveal that the counterfeiters take home 10 times the amount earned by the original companies! This indicates the presence of a new multi-billion dollar industry out there churning out to knockoff Panerais!

Having created a name in the market, Panerai watches don't have to worry about competition. But, they need to keep an eye on the counterfeiters who bring out watches which pass off as original. Counterfeiters are not the only ones to be blamed, a recent study from Wordtracker (popular keyword research tool) shows that the search requests received by major search engines for the keywords "replica watch" and "replica watches" crosses 60,000 per month, whereas for the generic keyword "watches", the search requests received are 1,22,000 a month. This makes the keyword "replica watches" the second popular watch-related search term and sheds light to the fact that people are really searching for replica watches!

Getting a replica Panerai watch saves you big money alright; but to payoff the embarrassment of someone finding that you are sporting a fake Panerai costs a fortune. There are even instances where people fall prey to the tall claims of counterfeiters and end up burning a hole in the pocket and a dead beat Panerai wrapped round the wrist.

Taking the timepiece to a certified appraiser is the best way for a layperson to determine its authenticity. Astute customers can tell a Panerai from its replica by checking its model number, serial number, case back ID, personalized signature on the strap, and the logo. Similarity of the watches ends in its external looks, after one or two months of your purchase the tell-tale signs of replica watches will start showing up. It is always safe to do a background study of the dealer before making your purchase. Check with your friends whether they have made any dealings with the particular dealer, and also ensure to get complete contact details of the dealer and confirm that the address provided is genuine. A fake Panerai can be easily spotted by observing the glow of the dial and hands in the dark, and also by checking for spelling errors.

In replica Panerai watches the logo is actually glued to the crown, so check for signs of uneven edges or glue. If you are getting a feel of the movement while winding the watch, no doubt, it is a fake. However, some of the fake Panerais are very close, so be aware of the pitfalls!

Lubuna K. A.

Hi-Tech Editorial Division