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.

Breitling watches are of an elite class, best known for their superior technical details and craftsmanship—and watches of this caliber carry a hefty price tag. But, if you’re looking to expand your watch collection with a Breitling, there are a handful of affordable models for every level of collector.

1. Breitling Colt Automatic
The rugged and large Breitling Colt debuted in the 1980s and was originally intended for the armed forces but grew in popularity amongst civilians as well. It’s a no-frills design that still incorporates the trademark details that make a Breitling a Breitling: a stain-brushed unidirectional rotating bezel with four rider tabs. This wallet-friendly, quintessentially Breitling watch is an ideal starter watch for any new collector or a foundational watch for any seasoned collector.

2. Breitling Superocean II
The original Breitling Superocean debuted in 1957 and was a triumph for the Breitling brand: it was the aviation-minded brand’s first bold foray into the diving watch competitive market. Since then, Breitling has fine-tuned the Superocean’s original mechanics (it can now dive to depths of 1,500 meters) and refined its design for modern tastes. In 2015, Breitling introduced the revamped Superocean II. The updated design features an internal circle of 24-hour indexes, a thinner case, and that busy-but-legible dial that Breitling is so well-known for. The Breitling Superocean II is available in a wide variety of sizes and color combinations. The Superocean II is a great way to buy in to the heritage of the original Superocean without spending the same amount.

3. Breitling Superocean Heritage II
In step with the Breitling Superocean II, the Breitling Superocean Heritage II harkens back to the original Superocean of 1957. But the Superocean Heritage II more closely resembles the original and it takes a skilled eye to really pick out the differences at first glance: a more defined diamond-shaped minute hand, a steel partition in the head of the hour hand, and a ceramic ring around the minute track in lieu of the original steel one. This modernized watch is a smart way to invest in the vintage look and style of the Breitling Superocean, without having to invest big bucks in a true vintage Breitling.

4. Breitling Aerospace Evo
During the Quartz Crisis of the 1980s, when quartz movements largely replaced mechanical watches and caused industry-wide economic upheaval, Breitling managed to weather the downturn by using a quartz movement in their own watches, a sort of if-you-can’t-beat-‘em-join-‘em style move. In 1985, Breitling introduced the Aerospace Evo which became the de facto representative for Breitling’s SuperQuartz-powered timepieces which was 10 times more accurate than the standard quartz oscillator which, it is worth noting, was already near-perfect. The Aerospace Evo has a unique position in the history of the Breitling brand. For modern collectors, this watch features an economically-efficient movement, under the illustrious Breitling brand name.

5. Breitling Avenger II GMT
The 2013 Avenger II GMT is an incredibly practical watch. It features an easy-to-read 24-hour second time zone display, a bidirectional rotating bezel, and its ultra-sturdy case is water-resistant up to 300 meters. Even the crown boasts a non-slip grip. The durable Breitling Avenger II GMT is made to be worn, making it a great watch for collectors who want to enjoy their investment timepieces without having to worry about treating it with kid gloves.

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