Omega has been in the campaign to manufacture quality watches since 1848, and they’ve been in a real high-quality groove since the early 2000’s. This premium watch brand currently is producing some of the highest quality sports watches in the marketplace and consumers have taken notice. Unfortunately, so have the counterfeiters.
There are some universal rules of construction that apply to all well-made watches and especially to Omega that will help us identify the true ones from the fake watches. The key components to examine are the case and bracelet, the dial and hands and if possible the movement.
How To Spot A Fake Omega Watch
The Case And Bracelet
Our first tip when it comes to spotting a fake omega watch is to pay close attention to the materials used. The Omega logo signals luxury, and so too should the materials used in the construction of the watch. Real Omega watches that have been manufactured in the last several decades have been built to last generations.
- The Case and Bracelet: The case and bracelet will only have high quality materials such as stainless steel, titanium and gold. Counterfeited omega models are usually made with a low grade steel and would be lightweight.
- Crystal Glass: The crystal glass on an Omega is made of synthetic sapphire, it will feel frictionless and cool to the touch and serve as a strong and clear scratch-resistant window onto the dial.
- Case-back: Omega case-backs often have elaborate designs that are difficult to re-produce with any exactness. Many Omega case-backs have sapphire glass that shows the mechanics of the movement inside just as the front crystal shows the dial. This is very difficult to re-produce.
The Dial
The dial has many design elements.
- The Dial: it will be crisp and clear with numerals, markers and words used purposefully to identify what the watch is and what it can do.
- The printing and Markings: these will be perfectly spaced. The printing doesn’t bleed, the fonts are consistent and the minute and seconds indications are perfectly lined up and evenly spaced. It is usually a failure in these key details of the watch dial that gives an imposter away.
- Family Name: Omega watch designs are classified into 4 families: Speedmaster, Seamaster, Constellation and De Ville. Outside of the Omega brand name itself, the primary word on every dial would be one of these family names.
The Movement
The final step when looking to spot a fake Omega watch is to inspect the movement, if possible. The movement inside the watch is the micro-machinery that makes it work and this is often where the true quality and value of a good timepiece resides. Omega watches are constructed and sealed so that only a watchmaker or technician with know-how and proper tools can even gain access to it.
- Omega watches with automatic movements (ones that are mechanical and self-winding from motion) will have a smoothly sweeping seconds hand
- Quartz (battery) driven watches will have distinct ticks as the seconds hand travels around the dial.
An Omega watch movement has over 200 working parts and is one of the hardest things to reproduce, the counterfeiters will try to do it anyway. Any qualified watchmaker should be able to examine a movement and recognize if its origins are with Omega.
Our tip: If you have the watch in your hands use the winding crown to set the time and change the date. Anything on an Omega watch that functions should function well. If any these basic mechanics are off, then it follows that so is the watch.
How To Buy An Authentic Omega Watch
If you are considering a model and want to verify it based upon the points just discussed, here are some next steps to take:
- Find the exact model number or use descriptions to search the internet for images of one that is the same. Use www.omegawatches.com or find images from the most reputable retail sites. Then conduct a side-by-side visual comparison.
- You should be able to find a serial number on all modern Omega watches. It is typically a small 8-digit serial number on the back of the watch, typically on the case-lug that is opposite 7 o’clock. The serial number is a unique number assigned to every watch produced.
- All Omega watches are sold with a matching warranty card. This card may get misplaced, but if it is present with the watch it is a very good thing. The serial number printed on this card should always match the serial number permanently stamped onto the watch.
To avoid buying a fake Omega but still secure the best price, shop pre-owned Omega watches authenticated by luxury experts at Gemma.
Sell Omega Watches
Now that you are a pro when it comes to spotting a fake Omega watch, you may be interested in selling any watches you have and no longer want. From Omega Speedmaster to Omega Seamaster watches to vintage models, myGemma buys your luxury watches for the best prices and in as little as 24 hours.
Contact us today to receive your price quote from the experts. As an A+ BBB rated watch buyer, we offer the option of selling online or in person at one of our offices in NYC, Hong Kong, Tokyo or the UK. We work with hundreds of customers on a daily basis, and our free, professional and trustworthy selling service has earned us over 1,000 customer reviews.
