When smartwatches sales started to pick up in 2015, some worried that another Quartz Crisis was descending upon the watch industry. (Quick history review: the Quartz Crisis refers to the economic downturn that befell the Swiss watch industry throughout the 1970s and 1980s with the introduction of inexpensive and more accurate quartz watches from Asia. Swiss brands lost a lot of market share to the Japanese watch brand Seiko and, even after a handful of bailouts by Swiss banks, still shuttered their doors.)

In this modern edition of history repeating itself, some speculated mechanical watches would become entirely obsolete as the Apple Watch became a ubiquitous accessory, donned by current watch- and non-watch-wearers alike. But Swiss watchmakers didn’t seem all that concerned with the growing popularity of smartwatches.

Because, unlike the Quartz Crisis where the industry was largely playing catch-up to its Asian competitors, a handful of leading Swiss watch brands were already putting their finishing touches on their own novel take on smartwatches: the horological smartwatch.

What is the Horological Smartwatch?
In short, the horological smartwatch marries traditional watch design and smartwatch wearable technology. It’s essentially a smartwatch dressed up (or disguised, depending on how you want to look at it) as a classic fine watch.

A Brief History of the Horological Smartwatch
In 2015, Manufacture Modules Technologies (MMT) was founded as a joint-venture between Silicon Valley’s Fullpower Technologies (the company that developed the MotionX technology found in the fitness trackers UP by Jawbone and Nike Fuelband) and Switzerland’s Union Horologère Holding, the parent company of Alpina and Frederique Constant. In turn, MMT and these select Swiss watch brands set about developing smartwatches that tapped into the quintessential look and feel of a sleek mechanical watch but incorporated smartwatch technology.

Frederique Constant focused on preserving the overall design’s clean aesthetics: a sleek dial, diamond-cut hands, applied hour markers and hand-polished cases. MMT, meanwhile, focused on how to improve the battery life and how to convert the traditional dial into an unobtrusive piece of wearable tech. The result was the horological smartwatch.

Features and Functionality of Frederique Constant’s Horological Smartwatch
Frederique Constant first tasked MMT with developing a smartwatch that doesn’t need to be charged every day. To answer this call, the horological smartwatch platform’s battery is powered by a quartz module for timekeeping and a set of gears that controls the hands on the dial. Impressively, the battery on a horological smartwatch lasts more than two years.

And, as for the original design, unlike a typical smartwatch that uses a digital display, Frederique Constant’s Horological Smartwatch uses its hour and minute hands and crown to read out what percentage of your daily activity goal you’ve reached. The horological smartwatch pairs with the MotionX-365 app to give you a more detailed look at your activity and sleep patterns.

Later updates to the horological smartwatch would include a vibrating motor that, via your Bluetooth-enabled smartphone, notifies you of calls or text messages and can automatically update your local time zone.

Looking Ahead in the World of Horological Smartwatches
While other mid-level and fashion-brand competitors have entered the smartwatch circle (including TAG Heuer and Montblanc), Frederique Constant remains the leader in Swiss smartwatch manufacturing, shipping over 16,000 horological smartwatches in 2015 alone.

MMT later broke off as an independent smartwatch and software company in 2016 when the Frederique Constant group was acquired by Citizen. MMT’s ultimate goal is to license out its MotionX-365 horological smartwatch platform to any Swiss watch brand that wants to fold this technology into current and future collections, expanding wearers’ overall selection of smartwatch styles.

While these horological smartwatches are not necessarily meant to compete head-to-head with, say, the Apple Watch, they do offer a sleek alternative for watch wearers who appreciate that classic Swiss look but do not want to sacrifice the added benefits of smartwatch tech.

Platinum is one of the most popular metals for jewelry-making, especially when it comes to wedding rings. This super-strong metal lasts for generations and requires far fewer check-ups for retouching at the jeweler. However, it has its setbacks, too. We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about platinum jewelry, from the formulation of platinum, to care and storage methods, to cost, and everything in between.

Color

Platinum is naturally a brilliant, grayish-white color. Over time, the metal does develop a patina that might make it look a little dull, but some people prefer this look since it makes diamonds look bigger. However, it can be quickly polished to restore its luster as needed.

Care & Storage

Platinum is a very durable metal. It can be scratched, but it won’t crack or chip. The difference between platinum and other precious metals when it comes to damage is that when metals like gold are scratched, they actually lose tiny pieces of metal while scratches on platinum simply displace the metal. This is why gold and silver wears down relatively quickly and platinum looks new for years and years.

Platinum also doesn’t usually have any plating on it while gold and silver often do. That’s why scratches don’t often show up as easily when a gold piece is freshly plated, but as that plating wears down, not only will scratches become much more visible, but the metal of the jewelry itself will also start to degrade. Platinum does not have that problem. That and its hardness mean this metal does not require as much regular maintenance or as many trips to the jeweler as gold and silver do.

However, that doesn’t mean it can be freely tossed around! Like all jewelry made of precious metals, platinum jewelry should be kept separate from other jewelry in a fabric-lined or padded container. It should be noted, though, that this piece of advice is less for the sake of your platinum jewelry and more for the safety of your other jewelry. Pieces made out of soft metals like high karat gold or silver could easily sustain damage just by brushing up against platinum jewelry, so make sure you store them separately.

Formulation

Almost all precious metals used for jewelry are alloyed with base metals, usually to change the metal’s tone, hardness, or pliability. Platinum is no different. This precious metal is commonly alloyed with palladium, ruthenium, rhodium, copper, iridium, and titanium. Many manufacturers of luxury jewelry tend to lean towards platinum/ruthenium or platinum/palladium alloys since these metals have an excellent white color and make the platinum more malleable, making it easy to mold it into the shape of a finely-designed ring. Once set and polished, however, these alloys become incredibly durable. Due to the hardness, they tend to take on a very high luster.

In addition to being durable and very lustrous, platinum alloys are also usually hypoallergenic. Since platinum is usually alloyed with other durable metals within its own chemical family, you can rest assured that you won’t find any nasty green rings or white, crusty residue on your hands after wearing a platinum ring for a while. That is, of course, unless your platinum is alloyed with copper, which tends to oxidize on skin, leaving a green residue. Always be sure to ask what metals your jewelry contains before you purchase them to make sure they won’t cause any allergic or oxidation reactions.

Common Settings

Because of platinum’s high shine and durability, it is by far the favorite for use in setting engagement rings and wedding rings. It is a very dense metal, though, and it can feel quite heavy, which could be a setback for some since the weight of the ring could be uncomfortable. Some people do like the hefty feeling of a platinum ring, however, so you should try one on for a while and see if you like the weight of the ring.

Platinum is also sometimes used in necklaces, especially by Tiffany & Co. Though it is very strong, when heated to become malleable, platinum is very ductile, meaning it’s easy for jewelers to draw it out into thin strands. Tiffany & Co. takes advantage of platinum’s unique properties to fashion beautiful pendant necklaces on thin platinum chains that are much harder to break and much more long-lasting than their sterling silver counterparts.

Platinum is also used in high-end watches as a heavier, more luxurious replacement for traditional stainless steel cases and bracelets. Brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Sohne, and Vacheron Constantin, among others, are fond of this technique.

Cost

As you can imagine, platinum is very popular, since it’s practically the perfect metal for jewelry-making. However, it is also incredibly scarce in the Earth’s crust, and only a few hundred tons of it are produced per year. As such, the high demand for the metal and the extremely low supply really drive the price up for this precious metal.

Most pure platinum jewelry tends to ring in at around $1,000 apiece on the low end of the spectrum, with very simple, thin platinum wedding bands bottoming out at about $300 apiece. On the extremely high end, pure platinum jewelry can cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars!

The nice thing about platinum, though, is that there is platinum jewelry made to fit most jewelry budgets. Whether you end up spending $1,000 or $100,000 on your platinum jewelry, you can be sure that this amazing metal will last for generations.

If you’re interested in learning more about other precious white metals, check out for a quick run-down of the core properties of platinum, white gold, palladium, silver, and titanium. Or, you can visit this post for help with figuring out which precious white jewelry metal is best for your needs!

While diamonds still reign supreme in the world of engagement rings, there most certainly has been a shift towards colorful engagement rings to suit nearly-weds’ personalities and individual look—and, lucky for them, these colorful gemstones tend to be more affordable than their diamond alternatives.

That said, here are 10 cool and colorful engagement rings to perfectly suit your fiancé’s character and style.

Whichever ring you choose should be reflective of a life that will hopefully be filled with care, devotion, spontaneity, adventure, peace, joy, love, and what else… color. Congrats to you and your bride- or groom-to-be and happy shopping!

The primary birthstone for the month of July is a red variety of the mineral corundum that goes by the name of ruby.

The Origins and Cultural Significance of Rubies

The word ruby stems from “ruber,” the Latin word for red. The ruby is one of the traditional cardinal gemstones.

The Mogok Valley in upper Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) was, for quite some time, the world’s main source for quality rubies, with several from that region selling at auction for record-breaking numbers. In 2003, however, the United States banned the import of rubies from Burma because of unethical practices by the country’s government, its military control over the mines, and the slave-like conditions in which miners were forced to work. In September of 2016, President Barack Obama lifted the ban on both rubies and jade coming from Myanmar so that the area could potentially benefit from trade relationships since at the time it was in the process of becoming a democratic nation.

Often referred to as the “King of Precious Stones,” the ruby is one of the most popular, sought-after, and historically significant of all the world’s colored stones. Religiously speaking, rubies are mentioned four times in the Christian Bible and are held in high regard in Hindu beliefs. In many Asian cultures, rubies were used as adornments on armor in order to protect the soldiers who wore them. They were also used on the harnesses of noblemen in India and China and were buried beneath the foundations of buildings because it was believed the gem would bring security and good fortune to the structure. Trade of rubies in China goes back to 200 B.C. where the gems were bartered on China’s North Silk Road.

Notable Ruby Jewelry

The largest ruby ever mined was an eight-and-a-half-thousand-carat gemstone out of East Africa that weighed four pounds and was sculpted into a miniature form of the United States’ Liberty Bell in 1976 by sculptor Alfonso de Vivanco for the United States Bicentennial. The stone was stolen from a jeweler in Delaware in a heist in 2011 and never recovered.

Another world-famous ruby that also happens to be the most expensive ruby ever sold is the Sunrise Ruby of Burmese origin which sold in May of 2015 at a Sotheby’s auction in Geneva, Switzerland for over $30 million USD. If you’re interested in seeing more spectacular, history-making rubies, check out this post.

The Properties and Hardness of Rubies

The most sought-after color for rubies (and the color found largely in gems mined in the Mogok Valley) is a color known as “pigeon’s blood.” A bright, vibrant red color that is natural, unheated, and contains no pink hue. The quality of a ruby is determined by the gem’s color, cut, and clarity. These factors, along with the stone’s carat weight, affect its overall value, similar to how a diamond’s value and, therefore, price is determined.

Rubies have a hardness of 9.0 on the Mohs scale, making them one of the harder gemstones in existence. They range in color from blood red to reddish pink, to reddish purple, to orangey red, to deep crimson. Gems that are determined to be too pink with no hue of red are often labeled as pink sapphires since the sapphire is made of the same mineral as the ruby.

Chanel’s mirrored double “C” logo is one of the most recognizable icons in the fashion industry. This simple, universally-known symbol represents a world of luxury, haute couture, and top-tier craftsmanship.

Though these concepts suggest a hefty price tag, it’s still possible to enjoy the opulence of a genuine Chanel piece without breaking the bank. Buying pre-owned jewelry is a preeminent trend in the jewelry world because it affords the average jewelry enthusiast the opportunity to own fine jewelry at a much more reasonable price.

TrueFacet Marketplace offers a variety of pre-owned, authentic Chanel logo jewelry, from earrings to necklaces and all baubles in between, and the best part about buying it here is that you get pieces of excellent quality without having to pay the marked-up retail price like you would if they were brand new.

We’ve rounded up ten of our favorite pieces of Chanel logo jewelry.

Chanel CC Logo Cross Necklace

If you loved what you saw at the 2018 Met Gala, then you’ll love the look of this Chanel gold tone hardware cross necklace with the CC logo meticulously worked into the piece’s design. The 26” length of the necklace makes it ideal for layering with other Chanel pieces overtop your favorite summer sweater.

Chanel Red Coral Three Strand Bracelet

Made in Italy, this three-strand Chanel CC bracelet features red coral and gold-tone hardware. It’s the perfect piece to wear while people-watching by the pool or strolling the sandy beaches of the Mediterranean.

Chanel Logo Button Earrings

Button earrings are back, and since the Chanel logo never goes out of style, these are a must-have for any woman’s wardrobe.

Chanel Gunmetal Geometric Ring

Blue and white stones set in geometric patterns give this gunmetal grey Chanel logo ring an almost punk rock feel to it, making it an amazing accessory for an all-black ensemble.

Chanel Vintage “Coco Mark” Drop Earrings

These vintage, gold-toned hardware, teardrop-style earrings with the Chanel logo are simply divine and an absolute steal at the listed price.

Chanel Sunglasses Brooch

Made with simulated glass and resin, this mod-style Chanel logo pin will bring a colorful and eccentric brightness to any ensemble.

Chanel Heart Ring with CC Logo

You’ll love this simulated glass and resin Chanel CC logo ring so much that you’re likely to wear it all day, all night, and even on the weekends.

Chanel Tweed Wide Bangle Bracelet

Fly into the 4th of July in style with this red, white, and blue wide tweed bangle bracelet made with silver-toned hardware, complete with Chanel CC logo.

Chanel Baroque Pearl Choker

If the look of pearls speaks to your personal style, this CC logo Baroque pearl and simulated glass necklace is the ultimate piece for those days when you want to feel a little like Audrey Hepburn.

Chanel Vintage Logo Hoop Earrings

Who here doesn’t love a great set of hoops? And who here doesn’t love vintage Chanel? Well with these CC logo earrings you can have both and look stylish and chic while you’re at it.

Visit TrueFacet for more Chanel jewels!

IWC, or the International Watch Company, is renowned for the remarkable craftsmanship behind their timepieces. The brand is famous for its exceptional chronographs and tourbillons, especially in the pilot’s watches that made the brand famous in the 1930s and were built to survive the rigorous lifestyle led by an adventurer. IWC pieces connote luxury, but they also represent the needs of a wearer who prizes precision and demands the latest in watchmaking technology.

It is this unique combination of luxury and practicality that endears IWC to watch enthusiasts, but that is also what makes these pieces particularly susceptible to counterfeiting. We’ve pulled together some tips from our experts about spotting fake IWC watches to help you protect yourself from getting scammed with a counterfeit.

The Dial

The IWC brand takes immense pride over the level of meticulous craftsmanship that it envelopes into the production of each timepiece. It is this craftsmanship that makes every precisely-engineered element of IWC timepieces fit together seamlessly. Counterfeiters are often less concerned about that exact fit, so forged IWCs are often off in terms of layout and material quality. Here are a few specifics to look for when examining the dial of an IWC watch that may be fake.

The Crystal

Like all luxury watches, genuine IWC watches have sapphire crystal guarding the face of the watch. This material is scratch-resistant and incredibly refined. To test whether the material on the face of your watch is sapphire crystal or just plain old glass, smear a drop of water or two on the surface. Sapphire crystal should not disturb the water’s surface tension, so it should pool together on the crystal. On glass, however, the water would disperse unevenly.

The Dial

Beneath the crystal, the dial of a genuine IWC watch is made with the highest quality metals with rich, uniform colors and ultra-sharp laser etchings and steel trimmings. Forged IWC watches, however, will not be made with such close attention to detail. For example, you will often find numbers, hour markers, and hands that are mismatched in color. Fake IWC watches also tend to have the wrong fonts for numbers and letters, and often in the wrong sizes. The hands will also be too short.

The Date Complication

IWC pays such close attention to detail that even the date disks can be indicative of whether a watch is a genuine IWC timepiece or not. On genuine watches, the date disk is flush against the frame opening and has a different design for each of the different IWC collections. In fact, different iterations between collections might even have different date disks. For example, the IWC Mark XVI Automatic has a different date window style than the IWC MARK XVII Automatic. Get to know the design of the genuine watch that you’re interested in well first so that you can immediately tell if another watch is fake or not. Counterfeiters will often use the wrong font, make the numbers too big, use the wrong date disk color, or have the date disk sunken in too far.

The Subdials

IWC watches often come with complications like a chronograph function, meaning the movement has additional elements. In genuine watches, the layout of the face of the watch, including (and especially) the placement of the subdials, has to perfectly correspond to these additional elements. Counterfeit IWC watches will often not follow the same layout since forgers will choose to move subdials closer to the center of the watch or make them smaller so that the face appears more symmetrical or appealing to the eye. These design changes seem small, but they are what can really help you discern a fake IWC watch from a real one.

In addition to that, the numbers on the subdials tend to be different on fake IWC watches, since counterfeiters pay much less attention to these sorts of details. In fact, make sure the subdials on your watch actually function! To make production cheaper, counterfeiters sometimes manufacture chronograph watches without a working chronograph function. To be sure, test out the pushers on the right side of your watch. There should only be two pushers on a chronograph, corresponding to the start/stop button and the flyback/reset button. They should be totally functional and incredibly precise at measuring time.

The Case

IWC’s amazing timekeeping technology is precious, which is why they have developed very strong cases that are still sleek and appealing to the eye.

The Bezel

If you find another pusher at 10 o’clock, you can automatically dismiss the watch as a counterfeit. On a genuine luxury watch, this element is not actually a pusher, but a helium release valve. Brands like Rolex and Omega outfit their deep sea diving watches with helium release valves because its purpose is to maintain the watches’ water resistance under extreme pressure. IWC does make diving watches, but these are not outfitted with helium release valves.

The beauty of IWC watches is that the cases are sleek and unobtrusive. Barring the diving watches in the Aquatimer collection, which have thick cases to make the watches more water resistant, most IWC watches have thinner bezels to really make the dial designs stand out. Even the IWC Pilot’s Chronograph watches have cases that are quite slim. Because they’re made of strong, high-quality metals, these cases still protect the inner workings of the watch despite their leanness. As counterfeit watches are made of cheap metals, forgers will choose to thicken up the case design to add heft to the watch and make it seem heavier and more luxurious in feeling, as well as to protect the watch’s movement.

The Crown

Similar to the cases, the crowns of IWC watches are quite slim so that the focus is truly on the watches’ dial designs and so that the overall shape of the watches are unobstructed by more prominent crowns. Counterfeiters will use thicker crowns for their fake IWC watches simply because it’s cheaper and easier to manufacture one crown shape and size for all models than it is to specially engineer the crown design to suit each watch.

The only exception to this rule is the crown for IWC Big Pilot’s Perpetual Calendar, which has a significant size and remarkable design. Because the crown uses a triple position system to set the various subdials, IWC designed it to be a prominent part of the watch’s overall design. Make sure that your Big Pilot’s Perpetual Calendar’s crown also has a triple position system to set the complications of the watch—if not, it’s a fake.

The Bracelet

Even down to the lug width, IWC pays close attention to the details of their timepieces. For example, IWC watches tend to have an uneven-numbered lug width (e.g. 21 mm), which fits their specialized straps. Knock-off watches might go down a millimeter or two to save on production and material costs, so keep an eye out for tiny discrepancies like that.

Obviously, the strap or bracelet is an incredibly important aspect of a watch’s design, and IWC spares no labor in designing premium bracelets for their watches. IWC has two metal bracelet designs, two leather or textile strap designs, and one rubber strap design. Some of these strap or bracelet designs have very specific features and are worth examining when it comes to authenticating an IWC watch. IWC’s stainless steel link bracelet allows the wearer to slightly alter the size of the bracelet at any time with a push on the button with the IWC logo at the center of the cover on the clasp and a slight tug or push on the bracelet. Naturally, the addition of this specific feature will be out of the scope of counterfeiters’ abilities.

The Santoni leather straps are made of alligator leather and calfskin and have a very specific sheen. IWC describes it as a “patina-like shimmer” that’s halfway between the matte texture of untreated leather and the plastic-y shine of patent leather. Santoni straps look polished and protected, so if your watch comes with a fake-looking patent leather strap or a dull, matte leather strap, it’s probably inauthentic.

The rubber strap only comes with the IWC Aquatimer collection and has a patented quick-change feature that makes it easy for wearers to switch between a metal bracelet and the rubber strap. The bracelet is pushed into the locking bar from the top and engages audibly. To release, press the lever on the underside of the bracelet outwards with your thumb and push the bracelet upwards. If your watch is not an Aquatimer watch but it has a rubber strap, or if it is but the rubber strap does not have the quick-change function, then your watch is probably fake.

If you have further questions regarding TrueFacet’s authentication process, contact our concierge representative here.

Understanding the difference between fashion jewelry and fine jewelry can be quite simple: it all comes down to the materials that the jewelry is made with. Figuring out the quality of the metals and the gemstones are all it takes to determine whether a piece of jewelry is considered fashion jewelry or fine jewelry. We’re walking you through the definitions that expert authenticators use when it comes to assuring the quality of jewelry so that you know what to look for when shopping for new additions to your jewelry collection.

Fashion Jewelry

Fashion jewelry, also known as costume jewelry, is usually made with base metals and simulated stones. These pieces are often made with brass, copper, or aluminum, which bend and tarnish easily. Jewelry made entirely out of textiles or leather, base metal alloys, and even metals plated with precious metals like gold or silver also fall under fashion jewelry. Simulated stones include plastic stones, cubic zirconia, and Swarovski crystals.

Some jewelry enthusiasts will insist upon a middle category called “semi-fine,” which is reportedly characterized by jewelry that is made with gold vermeil or is gold-filled. (To find out the difference between gold-plated, gold-filled, and gold vermeil, check out this post about jewelry metals). “Semi-fine” jewelry is also made with real gemstones that are much more affordable, like morganite and opals, or “enhanced” stones, which are treated with heat or chemicals in a lab to appear clearer or more flawless or to change the color of the stone.

The “semi-fine” category may be useful for jewelry makers to more accurately compartmentalize their jewelry, but it is not a standard by which experts and authenticators measure jewelry. In the eyes of an expert, “semi-fine” jewelry is still considered fashion jewelry because of its incorporation of base metals—again, the materials that make up the jewelry is the deciding factor behind whether a piece is considered fashion jewelry or fine jewelry.

Because fashion jewelry is made of materials that are prone to cracking or tarnishing, they do not have much of a shelf life. In addition to that, they are near impossible to fix once they have broken because the level of heat that would be required to solder the brass or copper pieces back together would simply leave the gold or silver plating blackened. Luckily, fashion jewelry tends to come at a much lower price than fine jewelry does, and a broken piece could easily be replaced entirely.

Fine Jewelry

Fine jewelry is used to describe jewelry made of solid gold, sterling silver, platinum, and/or other precious metals. This kind of jewelry also often uses genuine precious gemstones like real diamonds, rubies, sapphires, etc. Because it’s made entirely of solid precious metals and precious gemstones, fine jewelry is so much stronger than fashion jewelry and will not tarnish with proper care and storage. In addition to that, when broken, fine jewelry can be repaired. (For tips about repairing fine jewelry, read this post about what to do in such an event.) Fine jewelry may come at an elevated price point, but in truth, the value and longevity of these pieces are well worth the investment.

If you’re confused about where designer jewelry falls between these two categories, simply look at the composition of the piece. Some designers do raise prices on fashion jewelry simply because of the association with the brand name, making it seem as though a low-quality piece is actually worth more. But most brands only produce high-quality pieces made of precious metals and genuine gemstones. Do pay attention to hallmarks on your jewelry to figure out whether it’s fashion jewelry with a fancy brand name or truly fine jewelry.

If you are interested in investing in fine jewelry but are deterred by the price tag, you should definitely look into buying pre-owned. You get all of the high-quality materials and excellent craftsmanship at a much more reasonable price. TrueFacet Marketplace sells pre-loved fine jewelry and watches, all of which have been authenticated by our in-house team of experts.

Breitling is a leader in the aviation watch industry and produces some of the finest pilot watches in the world. Breitling’s incredible attention to detail and premier craftsmanship is difficult for counterfeiters to replicate in their fake Breitling watches.

Here are some immediate warning signs to determine a real versus fake Breitling.

1. Weight
Breitling watches are heavy. They are substantial watches and feel much weightier than even some of their luxury counterparts by Rolex and Omega. If you slip the watch onto your wrist and do not immediately feel its heft, this is a big red flag that the watch in question is a fake Breitling.

2. The Different Breitling Logos
Breitling uses two types of logos on its watches. The first—and most easily recognized—is a winged anchor with the Breitling name underneath (above). There are two crucial points to notice in the real Breitling logo that most counterfeiters will not accurately mimic: first, there is a slight gap between the tip of the anchor and the wings, and, second, the inner lines that define the wings do not actually reach the end of the full wingspan. Fake Breitling watches usually miss these minute details with an anchor and wing that touch and lines that hit the end of the wing.

The other type of Breitling logo is reserved for Breitling’s Heritage collections and includes the signature cursive “B” above the Breitling name. Examine the logo closely as the “B” should be raised from the dial’s plane and the Breitling name should be etched into the dial. If the “B” is laid flat on the dial, that watch is definitely a fake.

3. The Seconds Hand
The seconds hand of an authentic Breitling watch will end with its iconic “B” and drop into an anchor shape. (Note: not all genuine Breitling watches include this design flourish. Double-check your specific model to see if this seconds hand detail is included.)

When you’re examining the watch in question, scrutinize the B’s width. The B on an authentic Breitling is actually not uniform throughout the lettering; instead, it stylistically becomes wider and thinner at certain points. Inauthentic Breitling watches may approximate the shape of the “B” but with the same width around the entire letter.

Turning your attention to the anchor, the pointed ends of the anchor should be clean and sharp. If the anchor looks too rounded at the ends or lacks definition at its point, you’re likely looking at a fake Breitling.

4. The Calendar Window
A clear warning sign can be found in the calendar window. The numbers within Breitling’s calendar window occupy the entire space. These large numbers are easy to read and clearly drawn. While some convincing fake Breitling watches will include those large numbers, the figures still will not fill the full window space.

5. The Engraved Buckle
Unclasp the watch and run your fingers across the Breitling engraved on the buckle. You should be able to feel the grooves of each letter. The backside, alternatively, should be perfectly smooth. This engraved detail is likely to be included on a counterfeit Breitling—and even have fairly accurate spacing—but you can clearly feel the difference between the deep lettering of a genuine Breitling and the shallow stamp of a knock-off.