subject: Baume & Mercier Watches-spotting The Genuine Article [print this page] Life would be much easier if a suspicious-looking man in trench coat and dark glasses approaches you with a row of watches inside his coat, then you would know not to trust what he is offering. But the reality is its not the same as they made it out to be in cartoons and the movies. You can be conned into buying a reproduction of a Baume & Mercier watch even if you purchase from what you thought was a legitimate dealer inside a shopping mall.
Common sense is common for a reason
Going back to the earlier example, Baume & Mercier watches are quite pricey, so anybody who sells you a new watch bearing the same brand for under $800, you would do well to walk the other way. If its second-hand, however, and the owner is in dire financial straits then thats another story. Then you need to request for the warranty or any kind of documentation that will prove the authenticity of the material. Imitation watches come with no documents or warranty and thats the risk when you buy cheap productsthat the watch will break down in a matter of days and you cant bring it back for replacement or repair.
Also, when going to a watch dealership and its offering the watch at half the original price, you should already be wary. Its not to say that the watch is a fake but legitimate vendors dont really cut the initial price more than 50% unless theres a very good reason.
The devil is in the detail
The technology and proficiency of copycats nowadays have made it difficult to spot the imitation from the real thing, especially if you dont know the first thing about Baume & Mercier or even Police watches. Even the movement of the watch can be copied although when you look clearly, you will notice that theres a delay in the way the second hand moves and its not as smooth. The movement should also bear the Baume & Mercier name. The original watch is also self-winding and quite heavier that a fake one because of the polished stainless steel used which contains nickel.
Go to the company website
Before buying the merchandise, browse the official company website to look for an identical photo of the Baume & Mercier watch so you can compare every minute detail. You can also take note of the serial and model number. Study the font of the brand, the watch face, the luminosity, the calibre number and any other distinct markings.
