I'm sure the dealer can verify that the watch with the serial number that you got is the one that he sent. Watches and serials are indeed faked but I'm sure specific ones are not.

Also, if your watch runs between 0 and 5 seconds it's definitely a sign that it's real. The fake movements cannot match this kind of accuracy.

And finally, you can check the test results of your watch on the Omega website by using your serial. I doubt that using a fake one would show any.

 

Thank you everyone for your responses. I fully expected to get bashed for my post and appreciate that you are all very understanding.



The dealer is great! Very reputable and well known on this forum. I trust him. I just have a problem trusting the other variables. I know, sad and kind of looney. I keep thinking that some person bought the real deal, and made an excuse to return it and returned the fake. Then it being new that the dealer thinking it was their original piece, passes it onto me. Thanks for the tip about checking on Omega's site! I didn't know that was a thing and was kind of hard to find it for some reason.

The short answer is if you buy from an AD you are safe.

It is coming from an AD! A trusted one, and member of this site.

When I was younger and at the beginning of my watch journey I went through the same thing. I purchased from a grey dealer and obsessed about it's authenticity for a very long time. There is only one way to avoid all of this - buy from an AD. Since you have done this, there isn't much to worry about. Educate yourself on what to look for, so you will eventually feel confident buying from anyone.

It is from an AD! I trust him. I just fear crappy people who come in between. I spent hours reading up on the watch, watching reviews, and then stumbled into spotting a fake. That is where I went wrong. The latest fakes of this watch seem incredible. Its scary how accurate it is. That is where my fears came into play.

If you can't tell the difference does it matter? Seriously though, you will be able to enter your serial number into an application on the Omega website and it will provide you with the METAS certification certificate for your new watch.

Thanks for that seconding of the site. I didn't know that was a thing and found it after some googling. It feels hidden on their site.

I can absolutely relate to obsessing over the details of a big purchase like this. I seriously doubt this is the case, since you purchased from an AD, but if it would make you feel better just reach out to them. Verify the serial. Enjoy the watch and wear it in good health!

I appreciate your post, a lot. Thank you. I am working up the nerve to reach out to the AD again. Thinking of messaging on this site or calling again. I feel bad though and don't want him to think I am suspecting him of foul play, because I definitely do not.

Buying from an AD should alleviate any fears you have, but the fakes are so good now. "Super clones" keep excellent time and the movements look identical. The finishing on them is excellent as well. Really hard to tell the difference. Kind of funny the Chinese can make a $10K Omega watch and sell it for $280.

Anyway, don't get yourself in a mess over this. Just buy from an reputable seller.

Thank you for the post and understanding. I appreciate it. It is from a reputable AD.

If you purchased from an AD, you should be fine. If the watch is pre-owned, can you find information about where it was originally purchased and confirm the details? The provenance of the watch will be important.

I am not sure about whether checking/verifying a serial number (SN) online would mean much. I'm not an expert with counterfeit Omegas, but TAG Heuer watches are notorious for being replicated with "real" SNs. The problem with SNs is that "crooks" can engrave a SN from a real watch of the same model/series, and re-use it on several fake watches. So when someone buys the fake watch they check the SN online and it appears to be correct, not knowing that there are several other fake watches out there with the exact same SN!

Nowadays, I would never buy a new watch unless it was from an AD or someone I personally knew and trusted. Buy the seller first. It's simply not worth the few hundred dollars of savings for me to buy from an unknown source.

Good luck!

Edit - I just re-read your post. You are afraid someone purchased the watch first, then returned a fake to the vender/AD? Yes, I think you are being a bit paranoid. LOL. But I don't blame you. This is not a small investment for most people.

Thank you so much. After seeing how close the fakes look, I am sitting imagining all the scenarios that someone could mess around and cause me to be the one getting screwed in the end. I know I am very paranoid about this. haha You're too kind to say just a bit.

Even the scary-good fakes have well known tells. And I believe that the NTTD is not considered one of the best, and the tells should be obvious. If you are worried you should post a photo online, it's pretty easy to tell the difference once you learn the tells of a specific model.

I wish that were the case. The fakes are insanely close. I studied photos and saw nothing telling them apart.

I understand your fears. The quality of the fake watches these days is staggering. I don’t know about your experiences, but I can’t say with any confidence that the people at the authorized dealers Ive been to would have the skill to identify a “super clone”. I don’t suspect they would do it out of malice or greed, but ignorance is definitely still on the table. (Once I brought a watch in for service. The chrono second hand was jumping back half a second before moving forward when it was started. I was told it’s “supposed to do that” 🙄)

With Omega, you have an advantage in that so many of the movements are shown through display casebacks, and the movement has a lot of details to compare against. No such with Rolex.

If you really are concerned, and it’s fine if you are, go to a boutique. That’s too much to spend to be full of anxiety. It should bring you joy.

Oh man. I cannot imagine how my heart would sink if I posted a photo and someone called fake or something being off. It would make me lose my mind. The NTTD isn't a display back..

If you have done business with this AD before, than you shouldn't worry. You can always have a conversation with him/her and ask their process for making sure the watch is legit.

I have bought from the AD before. He is great and well respected. I really want to reach out and voice my crazy concern but I feel bad. I don't want him to think I don't trust him.

So, first off, OCD is a serious medical condition and if you actually have a diagnosis I hope you realize at some point that it's not super uncommon and there's no need to apologize for having it.

Second, if you are really concerned, then just go to an AD. I bought my Speedy at full retail price from the boutique because I felt like it -- I felt better about the purchase and it was a bit impulsive, but hey, I know the watch is 100% genuine and any problems would go straight back to Omega.

Yes I could have gotten whatever discount at the time, but it was money well spent IMO. If you really care that much about the money, you could certainly try to get a discount at an AD. The obvious choice is to not buy the watch at all, but we know that's not happening

Thanks a ton. I appreciate everything. I do feel bad though cause I know the burden I put on others, but feel like I have to ask for the good people of this forums input. It makes a difference to me.

This purchase is from an AD. A really good one at that.

Yeah. I honestly did/do kick the idea around of not buying it because how prevalent the fakes are. But I really really love the watch. I haven't been this excited for a watch in a long time.

 

The short answer is if you buy from an AD you are safe.

 

Your best and safest method.

 

The internet is an amazing thing so be careful. Someone once commented on my post that my 16710 bezel was aftermarket and that if the bezel insert was aftermarket imagine the inside and that the chances the watch was a Frankenstein was very likely. I sent the watch to Rolex to have it looked at all was genuine, the bezel insert was genuine. Asked them to service it cost £800. Did it need a service? Yes but would I have got it serviced it them doubts weren't in my head? Probably not.

Sent from my SM-F926B using Tapatalk

 

When I was younger and at the beginning of my watch journey I went through the same thing. I purchased from a grey dealer and obsessed about it's authenticity for a very long time. There is only one way to avoid all of this - buy from an AD. Since you have done this, there isn't much to worry about. Educate yourself on what to look for, so you will eventually feel confident buying from anyone.

 

Hello Omega friends. So I am OCD. I know, not a good thing. I am in love with the NTTD Seamaster. I placed an order for one with a forum trusted AD that I bought from before. I trust him. I however, do not trust bad people. I fear that someone had the watch first, somehow dropped a fake in the packaging and returned it and I will end up with it. I know. I am OCD.
Googling about how to determine if an Omega NTTD is real or fake was a mistake. The fakes are incredible. How can I be certain that the watch I receive isn't just some few hundred dollar faux piece? If the serial on the lug matches the Omega card am I in the clear?(I read that the fakes even come with a card!) How about putting a magnet to the back? A master chronometer would be unphased by this right? Is there anything I can do, other than paying Omega and sending it in for their extra certification?) I am at the point where I am considering canceling altogether. I don't want to.
Sorry for annoying paranoia. Any tips for determining real from fake are super appreciated.

If you can't tell the difference does it matter? Seriously though, you will be able to enter your serial number into an application on the Omega website and it will provide you with the METAS certification certificate for your new watch.

 

If you can't tell the difference does it matter?

Ha! I love it!

 

I can absolutely relate to obsessing over the details of a big purchase like this. I seriously doubt this is the case, since you purchased from an AD, but if it would make you feel better just reach out to them. Verify the serial. Enjoy the watch and wear it in good health!

 

Buying from an AD should alleviate any fears you have, but the fakes are so good now. "Super clones" keep excellent time and the movements look identical. The finishing on them is excellent as well. Really hard to tell the difference. Kind of funny the Chinese can make a $10K Omega watch and sell it for $280.

Anyway, don't get yourself in a mess over this. Just buy from an reputable seller.

 

If you purchased from an AD, you should be fine. If the watch is pre-owned, can you find information about where it was originally purchased and confirm the details? The provenance of the watch will be important.

I am not sure about whether checking/verifying a serial number (SN) online would mean much. I'm not an expert with counterfeit Omegas, but TAG Heuer watches are notorious for being replicated with "real" SNs. The problem with SNs is that "crooks" can engrave a SN from a real watch of the same model/series, and re-use it on several fake watches. So when someone buys the fake watch they check the SN online and it appears to be correct, not knowing that there are several other fake watches out there with the exact same SN!

Nowadays, I would never buy a new watch unless it was from an AD or someone I personally knew and trusted. Buy the seller first. It's simply not worth the few hundred dollars of savings for me to buy from an unknown source.

Good luck!

Edit - I just re-read your post. You are afraid someone purchased the watch first, then returned a fake to the vender/AD? Yes, I think you are being a bit paranoid. LOL. But I don't blame you. This is not a small investment for most people.

 

Nowadays, I would never buy a new watch unless it was from an AD or someone I personally knew and trusted. Buy the seller first. It's simply not worth the few hundred dollars of savings for me to buy from an unknown source.

Good luck!

Best advice ever.

 

Even the scary-good fakes have well known tells. And I believe that the NTTD is not considered one of the best, and the tells should be obvious. If you are worried you should post a photo online, it's pretty easy to tell the difference once you learn the tells of a specific model.

 

Fake are easier to tell if you own or have held the real thing. I can usually tell a fake Rolex in a few minutes. The tell signs like the blackhole, winding are very easy to spot.

I find that with Omegas the finish isnt' on par with the real thing and logos are always a bit sloppy. The fake movement with exhibition caseback are a big giveaway for those in the know.

Lastly, as others have noted buy from AD and when not possible the seller. A reputed seller will likely not tarnish his reputation over a few grand. Reputation takes decades to build. I am pretty sure you aren't going to fake watches from DavidSW.

 

I understand your fears. The quality of the fake watches these days is staggering. I don’t know about your experiences, but I can’t say with any confidence that the people at the authorized dealers Ive been to would have the skill to identify a “super clone”. I don’t suspect they would do it out of malice or greed, but ignorance is definitely still on the table. (Once I brought a watch in for service. The chrono second hand was jumping back half a second before moving forward when it was started. I was told it’s “supposed to do that” 🙄)

With Omega, you have an advantage in that so many of the movements are shown through display casebacks, and the movement has a lot of details to compare against. No such with Rolex.

If you really are concerned, and it’s fine if you are, go to a boutique. That’s too much to spend to be full of anxiety. It should bring you joy.

 

If you have done business with this AD before, than you shouldn't worry. You can always have a conversation with him/her and ask their process for making sure the watch is legit.

 

So, first off, OCD is a serious medical condition and if you actually have a diagnosis I hope you realize at some point that it's not super uncommon and there's no need to apologize for having it.

Second, if you are really concerned, then just go to an AD. I bought my Speedy at full retail price from the boutique because I felt like it -- I felt better about the purchase and it was a bit impulsive, but hey, I know the watch is 100% genuine and any problems would go straight back to Omega.

Yes I could have gotten whatever discount at the time, but it was money well spent IMO. If you really care that much about the money, you could certainly try to get a discount at an AD. The obvious choice is to not buy the watch at all, but we know that's not happening

 

Take in to an Omega boutique. They can tell. The 25.2K vph is a pretty unique frequency for a mechanical watch. Plus these watches are highly antimagnetic. If you can't get to a boutique you could buy an inexpensive time grapher and a rare earth magnet which would be 10K gauss. Use those two tools and you have proof that the watch is authentic Omega. I like when watches have verifiable features that add value to the end user and cannot be replicated by a different factory.

 

Do you think a boutique would really do/check anything?? Genuine question. The boutique I frequented has closed down and the other I checked was less than cordial when I went to buy the NTTD. Its why I didn't buy from them. I have no clue how to use the grapher or earth magnet to verify! Sounds like another rabbit hole I should check out!

If the AD is good then you’ll be alright. If someone messed with the package they woulda just kept it. Why bother replacing it.

He is a great AD! Trusted widely. And the concern is someone plopping down their $9k and then throwing in their really close fake and saying "I change my mind" and the AD personnel giving it a quick once over and redistributing it. And with my crap luck, it winds up at my door step.

 

If the AD is good then you’ll be alright. If someone messed with the package they woulda just kept it. Why bother replacing it.

 

LOL. you’re screwed

I think the only watches they can’t replicate to a degree that can be seen in photos are some of the MB&F, ALS, Journe...

the entire omega line has been replicated extremely well except for the new releases.

Hello Omega friends. So I am OCD. I know, not a good thing. I am in love with the NTTD Seamaster. I placed an order for one with a forum trusted AD that I bought from before. I trust him. I however, do not trust bad people. I fear that someone had the watch first, somehow dropped a fake in the packaging and returned it and I will end up with it. I know. I am OCD.
Googling about how to determine if an Omega NTTD is real or fake was a mistake. The fakes are incredible. How can I be certain that the watch I receive isn't just some few hundred dollar faux piece? If the serial on the lug matches the Omega card am I in the clear?(I read that the fakes even come with a card!) How about putting a magnet to the back? A master chronometer would be unphased by this right? Is there anything I can do, other than paying Omega and sending it in for their extra certification?) I am at the point where I am considering canceling altogether. I don't want to.
Sorry for annoying paranoia. Any tips for determining real from fake are super appreciated.

 

the entire omega line has been replicated extremely well except for the new releases

This is not accurate at all. There are no examples of well replicated Speedy Pros. And in general only the most popular Omega models are replicated with any degree of competence and of them, only a handful of models are replicated to the point that it becomes truly difficult to tell (Eg SMP 300m).

The counterfeit Rolex market on the other hand is absolutely full of extremely high quality examples.

 

This is quite a thread. Why get all worked up when you don't even know if that's how this very well known AD would process a return? I would think if they're that level of AD they would process their returns and make sure they aren't getting scammed. After all, THEY purchased the watch from Omega and are now trying to make a margin on you. I would think fake returns are something they look out for pretty hard with an almost $10k watch. Call the AD, ask to talk to a guy that name rhymes with "Bob" and find out what their return policy is because of your concern.

 

I wish I could keep my brain from getting worked up. I truly do.
I want to reach out and start by apologizing and just ask him to keep an eye out for my order, knowing he is a class act and top notch. Truth is, if it wasn't for that AD I honestly don't think I would make the purchase at all.

It would be a cool party trick. Take out your rare earth magnet and place it on your caseback. Nothing happens. Ask another watch owner to take their watch off. Place it on their caseback and watch their watch stop.

That is super cool actually. May I ask which magnet you recommend?

Download the app "watch accuracy meter" put it next to the watch when you receive it, and it'll automatically tell you what bph the watch is doing. A rep will be at 28,800, so you'll know instantly for sure

Is that an actual thing??

 

Download the app "watch accuracy meter" put it next to the watch when you receive it, and it'll automatically tell you what bph the watch is doing. A rep will be at 28,800, so you'll know instantly for sure

 

Hadn't heard of this. Just tried it and my Seamster Diver is 25,200. I'm guessing that is genuine as I bought it from an AD.

Are all fakes 28,800?

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Your OCD is causing you to make up these fantastic yet fictitious scenarios. If you have a therapist.....talk it over with him/her. I know this all seems plausible in your mind. In reality....it's not.

This isn't a slam. Just heart felt advice. If you don't have a therapist.....I strongly suggest getting one.

 

A Boutique can run the numbers and tell you if its real or not - youll be fine.

 

I think it’s probably important to note that many of us have had similar reservations to you. I don’t know how new you are to the watch world, but most of us slowly dabble, learn over the years before paying thousands for a watch. A lot is learned over those years. Sometimes mistakes are made too. There’s nothing abnormal about worrying that you could blow thousands of dollars on a fake watch. But you aren’t buying from ebay, you aren’t buying from a random unknown forum seller.
You’re safe buying from any reputable AD

 

Great words. Thank you so much.

Yes it'll work 🙂 I've done it on all my watches, mainly for entertainment, to see their accuracy, but as an added benefit for you it'll give you their bph too automatically by the sound.

That is actually really cool. I am going check that out. Sounds kind of fun to do all watches. I had no idea that was possible without some sort of specialized tool.

It's worth noting that no AD would sell a returned watch as new, that's one of the quickest routes to losing the "A" in AD. It would be reprocessed via Omega themselves. Even sizing the bracelet, which is part of the AD purchase experience, would immediately disqualify it from being restocked as new.

Good stuff. Really awesome to read.

R1500L-N52 - Amazing Magnets

1-1/2" Diameter x 1-1/2" long rod magnet, Licensed NdFeB, Grade N52, Ni-Cu-Ni plated, magnetized through the length.

www.amazingmagnets.com

This one is 86 dollars US and has surface gauss of 6583. Should be enough to stop most watches.

That is awesome. Thank you! I am going to grab one!

 

It's worth noting that no AD would sell a returned watch as new, that's one of the quickest routes to losing the "A" in AD. It would be reprocessed via Omega themselves. Even sizing the bracelet, which is part of the AD purchase experience, would immediately disqualify it from being restocked as new.

 

Just wanted to thank all of you and Watchuseek.. again. I come here and read and look at photos before grabbing a watch and you guys took what I believed would be massively trolled into the ground and really cared to help. I am thankful. I read and reread all of your posts several times. Ultimately I reached out to the fine gentleman and wrote him a novel about my concern. He basically alleviated any and all of it and replied simply. I feel really good about this now. I am grateful.

 

One day we won't be able to distinguish the real watch from a replica. Probably in 20 or 30 years, but who cares, by the time most of us will be already death or thinking in more important things.

By now, I think it's still very easy to distinguish a replica watch if you own the real one. But it's still a real threat if you buy from a non reliable dealer or if you buy used.

 

It’s easy to see why this could happen. There’s some very convincing fakes. There’s some extremely high quality fakes, that are actually worth their asking price (when clearly advertised as a replica). And yes, it’s still stealing, even if clearly stated.
However, the replica watch market doesn’t evolve alone, the rest of the watch world evolves along with it. It’s not like the Swiss mid and high end market is just sitting stagnant, waiting for Chinese replicas to catch up. If anything, it likely becomes harder every day to make a convincing replica

 

Replicas will always struggle the most with movements, I think it's good that watches are becoming more common with open case back, adding what that can in complexity