Patek Philippe timepieces are extremely valuable luxury items and some Patek Philippe watches even have the potential to increase in value over time, due to their relative scarcity and exclusivity. However, unfortunately, this status and exclusivity has created a counterfeit market, with some convincing fake Patek Philippe timepieces, at least to the untrained eye. This makes it essential to identify that a Patek Philippe watch is completely authentic.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the issue of fake Patek Philippe watches, explain how to identify a genuine Patek Philippe watch successfully, and detail the importance of establishing authenticity.
Official Patek Philippe Hallmarks
One of the most important things to focus on when attempting to identify a genuine Patek Philippe watch are the hallmarks on the timepiece. Hallmarks are marks stamped on precious metals, in order to certify quality. Any genuine Patek Philippe watch will include several hallmarks, which are difficult to accurately reproduce.
On the case-back of a Patek Philippe watch, you should see a hallmark indicating the purity of the metal. Common examples of this include “750”, which indicates that the watch is made from 18k gold and “950”, which refers to 95 percent pure platinum. Meanwhile, a “PPCo” hallmark inside an oval is the ‘responsibility’ hallmark used on genuine Patek Philippe timepieces and is required by law on all Swiss precious metal goods.
Another important hallmarks to look out for on a genuine Patek Philippe watch is the St. Bernard dog’s head, which should also be on the case-back. This is the ‘national’ hallmark for Swiss watches.
Serial and Reference Number Hallmarks
It should be noted that Patek Philippe does not place serial or reference numbers on the visible side of the case-back. Instead, the serial number will appear on the inside or non-visible side of the case-back for models with a solid case-back. Some other models with transparent case-backs will have these numbers engraved on the interior edges.
With this in mind, a telltale sign of a fake Patek Philippe watch is the presence of a reference number of serial number on the visible side of the case-back. If your watch features these numbers, it is almost certainly a fake watch.
Patek Philippe Serial Numbers
While Patek Philippe watch serial numbers do not feature on the exterior of the case-back, they do still play a a crucial role in providing authenticity and will be a key focus of any credible guide on how to identify a genuine Patek Philippe watch. As previously stated, most models will feature the serial number on the interior or non-visible side of the case-back, or along the interior edges if the model has a transparent case-back.
It is not recommended to remove the case-back of a Patek Philippe watch yourself, unless you have previous experience. Instead, you can send the watch to a trusted watch dealer or service center. If your Patek Philippe watch has a see-through case-back, you should be able to read the serial number yourself.
If your watch is more than 10 years old, you can go some way towards determining its authenticity by requesting an ‘Extract from the Archives’ directly from the Patek Philippe website. This costs 500 Swiss francs (CHF) and information comes from Patek Philippe’s internal database. The ‘Extract from the Archives’ will only be issued if photographs of your watch match the description held by the company. If you do not receive the document, authenticity may be in doubt.
Alternatively, you can send your watch to a trusted watch store or watch service center. They will be able to carry out a comprehensive watch authentication and appraisal, and this will be much cheaper than going to Patek Philippe directly. A high-quality appraisal service is likely to cost in the region of $70 to $100, but this can vary.
Checking the Quality of Craftsmanship
Next, it is worth taking some time to really focus on the quality of the watch itself. Patek Philippe, as a brand, is recognized around the world for the exceptional quality of craftsmanship put into each and every timepiece and most fake Patek Philippe watches will display obvious signs that the same attention to detail is missing.
Closely examine the watch, with a focus on the dial, and check for differences in shape between your watch and pictures of an authentic one. Many counterfeit watches are easy to identify under close scrutiny, as they often fail to replicate the exact shape and layout of a real Patek Philippe timepiece. In particular, you can check the spacing of any complications and writing on the the dial, as these can often be poorly replicated on fake watches.
Make sure the materials used on the timepiece all seem authentic too, and check the entire watch for any obvious signs of cheaper materials being used in place of precious materials like gold, or diamonds. If your watch has diamonds on it, these should have exquisite clarity and consistency. Many fake watches will feature diamonds that are inconsistent in terms of shape, size and clarity when examined closely.
If your timepiece has transparent elements that allow you to see the inner workings, you can examine the movement and compare it with photographs of the same model. Most fake Patek Philippe watches will not be able to convincingly reproduce anything like the level of detail and accuracy that goes into the real thing.
A classic sign of a fake Patek Philippe watch is the presence of pushers on the watch that do not actually work. If your watch features pushers that do not function as they are supposed to, it is very likely to be a fake watch, or an authentic watch that has been damaged to an extent that its value should be greatly affected.
Again, if you have any serious concerns about the quality of the craftsmanship on your Patek Philippe watch, or if you lack the experience or confidence to make a firm judgement by yourself, it is recommended that you seek out an authentication service offered by a trustworthy luxury watch dealer or watch service center.
Paperwork and Packaging
One of the very best ways to quickly establish authenticity is to focus on buying watches that come with the original paperwork and packaging. This is especially important if you are planning to buy a used watch, or if you are buying from an unauthorised dealer. The paperwork for a Patek Philippe watch should include a Certificate of Origin.
This effectively serves as a certificate of authenticity. It should include information on the watch reference, movement, and calibre, and will also provide information on aspects like the dial, bracelet, case, gem stones, and the date of original purchase. Check the Certificate of Origin and make sure the details all match the watch.
It is a good idea to search online for a Patek Philippe Certificate of Origin, so that you have an idea of what it should look like. Check for any obvious signs that the certificate is not authentic, such as typing errors, or details that do not match your watch. You can also bring the papers to a trusted watch dealer for authentication.
In addition to the paperwork, genuine Patek Philippe watches are also sold with a branded box, in order to keep the watch protected. The box style will vary depending on the watch model and year, but you can check online to see if the box for your model matches the box that is in your possession.
Authentic watches are sometimes sold on the second hand market without the original box and papers, so the absence of these items does not necessarily mean your watch is a fake. However, the presence of the original papers and packaging is a quick and easy way to determine the authenticity of the watch.
It should also be noted that having the original papers and packaging will greatly enhance the value of the watch, which can be important if you ever intend to sell the watch in the future.
Genuine Patek Philippe Conclusion
Patek Philippe watches are prestigious luxury watches, which sell for large amounts, and this has resulted in the creation of a large number of inauthentic Patek Philippe replicas. It is important to establish whether a watch is genuine, ideally before making your purchase, and there are some telltale signs to look out for.
All Patek Philippe watches will have the manufacturer’s official hallmarks, and the reference and serial numbers should not appear on the visible exterior side of the case-back. Materials should be of exceptionally high quality and the spacing of the dial should be checked against photographs of an authentic watch.
You should always buy from trusted and reputable sources. Where possible, try to stick to purchasing Patek Philippe timepieces that come with their original packaging and paperwork, and go over this paperwork to ensure that all of the details match your watch. Any reputable source will also be happy to prove authenticity to you. You should be very wary of buying from any source that tries to avoid providing proof of authenticity.
If you still have doubts about a watch already in your possession, send it to a trusted dealer or service center for a professional authentication process, or request an ‘Extract from the Archives’ directly from Patek Philippe.
