Help! I Bought a Fake Panerai: Comparing it with the Real Deal
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- It's a risk we all take trading watches on the second hand market, but the most dreaded thing actually happened to me. I bought a Panerai PAM00048 that turned out to be a fake! Here I put it side by side with a real Panerai Luminor PAM00638 and see what differences we can notice. My recommendation: always ask for box and papers when buying a Panerai.
Full Back story: I initially took the watch to one local watchmaker who told me it was likely fake. When I later emailed him to see if I can film him explaining his observations to my audience, his shop had been closed due to COVID (Roanoke Watch Repair). So I then took the watch to Nesbit's Watch Service, and this time I made sure I had my camera and a real Panerai with me for comparison. Yes, at that point, after visiting one watchmaker, I had a high suspicion that it was a fake.
*Please police your own behavior in the comment section. Don't be THAT guy...
You can’t fault a guy who owns up to having bought a fake and making the best of a bad situation. Your sincerity makes you stand out.
Thank you for the thoughtful message Earle 👍
this dude created thjs whole incident to make a controversial video for views. his videos werent even hitting 10 k views before this fake panerai video.
its stupid to believe a well informed watch guy gets fooled so easily.
I only buy fake watches...That way I know what I'm getting.
Smart man right here. And if you get a gen its a win.
@@Sht855 No need to pay more than $100 for a wrist watch that will look good & keep good time. I view with suspicion any big brand name watch and it's wearer as being a fake.
@@dustyfarmer they are all fake.
@@dustyfarmer sorry, but that’s stupid! What difference does it make if someone wears a fake or not? There’s a ton of watches out there that look really nice, but can’t be afforded by a lot of people, so that’s why they buy fakes or homages because they love the design, but that doesn’t make them a fake person. Of course if it’s a fucking annoying poser with a small dick and a massive inferiority complex the watch is most likely fake, but the watch doesn’t make a difference when it comes to his personality.
Having said that, I’ve made nothing but bad experiences with fakes. They usually all fall apart after a few months or they get so banged up that you can’t wear them anymore. But there’s enough genuine watches out there for 100 to 300 bucks that are quite nice and will do the trick just nicely! And over time depending on how much money you spend on your fakes and how long they’ll last you’ll be better of buying something genuine, at least that was the case in my case. I bought some fakes in Thailand while I was living there for around 30 bucks a piece. One by one they all died after a couple of months. After 2 years of that I bought a Seiko SKX 007 for 175 bucks back in 2009 and it’s been my daily beater ever since, still running perfectly and it looks almost like new. I’ve replaced the bezel insert with a ceramic one and I’ve switched to a sapphire crystal about a year ago. The hardlex crystal it came with had two small scratches that were also still invisible and I’ve put that watch through hell. Best investment ever in terms of bang for the buck.
@@dustyfarmer not always for the materials used on some watches like 904 steel or 316 steel plus superluminova and sapphire cristal they actually use roughly about $400-700 worth of materials. So thats submariner costs around that to make. Again most of Rolex cost is advertising. But I think Grand Seiko is a much better brand than Rolex in Quality. Also you cannot fake a Grand Seiko Automatic Movement. A good fake rolex is around $500 and its extremely hard to tell unless you open it up.
You took a bad situation and made it a positive educational experience for us all. Well done and thank you.
Thanks for the comment! It was a bitter pill to swallow, but all is well at the end 👍
this dude created this whole incident to make a controversial video for views. his videos werent even hitting 10 k views before this fake panerai video.
its stupid to believe a well informed watch guy gets fooled so easily.
In the end, a new era of watches has come. Some illegal company from EU started making mega clones called ziarex. Basically, what they are doing is buying original parts from workers in Rolex who flag that part as damaged and sell them. But thats not the
I don't believe this story at all. I think the truth is that you acquired this watch to do this video - or worse - it was actually part of your collection and you've simply concocted this story for the purpose of delivering content. You might even have been exposed by someone for wearing it and now you've created an origin story that attempts to clear your reputation. You profile timepieces on this channel and it is highly improbable that you could be this gullible as a haute head.
I have profiled timepieces professionally for years and I have observed watch journalists wearing fake timepieces at Baselworld, SIHH, etc. The idea that you would purchase a watch from a forum, without papers and without having a lengthy FaceTime conversation with the seller (that would also have included an examination of the watch and a Q&A about the timepiece's provenance) seems equally unlikely. You don't strike me as ignorant or naive. Furthermore, if you have the presence of mind to have a watch guy, then he would have been the first person to have seen the watch after you took delivery of it, saving you the embarrassment and potential liability. Lastly - and this is the biggie - it is illegal to sell a fake watch and especially to misrepresent a fake watch as the genuine article. So, for you to have managed to secure a "partial refund" from a person that you could have just as easily reported to the police and sued for damages doesn't pass the smell test. I call bullshit - like your accent.
While your theory reads like a real Sherlock Holmes mystery novel. Check the description for the back story.
Busted!!
brother, I'm so sorry to hear this. Much like a relationship, buying watches is such an emotional choice. Logic rarely plays any part in it, but its this exact situation that reminds us all to make conscious choices, especially when others will try to take advantage of us, disrespect us either intentionally or inadvertently. Sounds like relationships, but i guess it's true. I hope you recovered from this bro, I know how much the heart would break when finding out something you were not expecting, and something that comes out of nowhere. Again, sounds like a relationship. Another great video, with great story telling and wonderful b roll brother. Love you man
Great analogy! Too often the initial excitement gives way to disappoint as reality sets in. Reality is a B 😉
Owning a real version of that watch from Rome in early 2000....that replica looks pretty real at first glance...dang these guys are getting good.
Yeah, not even a little. The Marina has a sandwich dial and this one does not.
Says a lot about Panerai, they were never that popular and suddenly tonsif fakes turned up...tells us they are easy to copy.
@@dagnutPanerai was never popular? Wrong. Panerai was a watch for REAL collectors.
I would never buy from a private seller. They might not even be aware themselves they have a fake.
I suspect this guy was in that exact situation.
@@WatchCrunchOfficial or he did find out and wanted to get rid of it
Exactly
i bought this fake panerai for $3600.. i even took the watch to a watch maker/repairer to make sure i am not buying fake watch..
my watch repair guy told me its not a fake watch. ive been wearing this fake watch for about 5month and stopped working.
i took the watch to a repair shop and they told me its a fake watch..... some watch repair shop is telling me its real and some other repair shop is telling me its a fake..
now i dont even know my watch is a fake or real..
Listen...everybody knows that this is a staged video, ok? For this, big unlike and unsubscribe.
Good job Sherlock, read the description 🤦♂️
Even fake panerai today have a way better decoration than the real ones 🤣 which are just garbage.
After watching this, I have learned to save 4k and buy a fake for 139.00...
Id buy one lol just don't know where
A good one is about $250 range to $350
@Jerry Rice we get it you are gay. Thats fine. I just dont want to be like a dad who was killed because his Rolex he didnt want to give up. All for £11,000.00 watch. And its happening more and more. And will continue to happen.
partial refund? it called paypal...
Hmmmmmmm to determine that the watch is fake you need to have a real one to compare it to and also and you need a jeweler with a strong magnification glass and he needs to carefully study at the watch with his face 6 inches away from it. If you would have kept the watch you would have gone your whole life never bothered by the thought that it wasn't an official Panerai.
I have 5 FAKE pan... all in good working condition ..latest is a white ceramic pan with power reserve.. only $98.00.... very happy...compliments from bars, supermarkets, cinemas... farmers' mkts...lol
HAHA thats sick dude. i just ordered my first rep. will be here in a week. im stoked.
Where would one find these online? I just purchased one in Dubai
@@JTDoubleO8How much did it cost you?
Dang, sorry you went through this. That’s unfortunately why I haven’t bought a used watch yet. I really have wanted to but the used market scares me, even if they are genuine. Have they been serviced? Why are they selling it? Is it damaged? I also have huge wrists so the vintage watches and obtainability of links to bracelets keeps me away too. I hope it wasn’t too big of a financial bummer.
I only buy fakes, the real ones don't have the same value as their price tags.
People knew that radium was radioactive but they did not know about the dangers of radioactivity
The seller should have given you a full refund. Not partial. He knowingly sold you a fake. That’s why he took your first low ball offer. And that’s why he agreed to giving you a partial refund 6 months later. It’s a crime to sell a fake watch and he knows it. That’s why you always use PayPal. They will always take your side.
I love my Panerai, it was the first proper big boy watch I went for after so much thinking....I still love it but if I bought the Rolex submariner or GMT which at the time were in the same price bracket they would be worth 3 times the price paid by now, instead my Panerai lost 20%. Only reason why I am sharing this is because I think that if you like them you should get them, they are great enjoyable watches, but get a used one! Should you buy a fake? Not worth it, you will always know it’s a fake and that would bother me.
Yeah, Rolexes are great investments, but hey, if you don't sell your Panerai, then you haven't lost the money right ;)
With fakes this good we are doomed. I don't collect very expensive watches, and mostly vintage, hopefully I woun't get scammed
Yeah it's a whole other set of concerns with vintage: Franken watches
@@WatchCrunchOfficial Franken watches in my eyes are a bigger problem due to all the auction drama with frankens recently, it's never been a more dangerous time to be a watch collector
This video essentially has no subject. You just throw out 3k and you are cool. This is called something else man
the most faked brand out there...and much of this is to blame on Panerai.
Agreed, be better Panerai! 😉
Rolex HAS to be more fakes though, it’s the most well known watch brand in the world.
@@VictorDude98 Except Rolex (as far as I know) never featured a fake on their official Instagram pages
They did their homework. 8 years warranty with the online „pamguard“ registration Service. I can Proof the authenticy of my Watch with a mouseclick. Serial Nr. PAM Nurmber voila!
@@neoth8647 3 times now
I don't believe this. Unless I missed something, there is no way you bought a Panarai with no box, no paper, no authentic guarantee, no feedback, or no escrow. You are not that...forget it. Or are you?
The only thing bad is you paid gen prices for a fake. If you knew its a fake and paid fake price, you wouldn't have complained. BTW, you have yet to lay your hands on really nice fakes.
Shouldve given him to check the fakes without the original
Nesbits.. in Seattle? Those guys are great!
Incredible story and video Max. You need more subs for sure! Hope we can have you on our podcast at some point!
Miguel
Thanks Miguel! Keep up the good work down in Socal!
@@WatchCrunchOfficial Thank you brother!
You should have gotten a full 100% refund. That seller knowingly or unknowingly committed fraud and could have been prosecuted.
Hei Max, I'm sorry to hear about the fake but I like what you are doing, don't stop 😉 Maybe a video on the top best vintage Tissot next? It’s a great brand that watch channels kind of overlook.
Thanks Razvãn! Can't stop won't stop. That's a great idea 👍. My first mechanical watch was a visodate
I've been collecting for a long time I me . Decades . I was fortunate to have started in this journey before there were "super clones " flooding the market so had already learned a lot and over many years , had developed a kind of system , or a set of rules for myself that so far , hasn't let me down . I also have lived long enough to know that there's a first time for everything so I try to be very , very careful when I'm dealing with someone that I don't know . Thanx so much for sharing your experience and paying that forward to the rest of out community. That's huge , and I'm grateful for it .
You're welcome Tim, I need to nail your list of watch buying rules to my wall 😁
hope u made some money with this video
If I'm buying a high-end watch I go to the fake watch forums. I was buying an IWC big pilot and the info I received from these guys taught me what to look for on the fakes.
Great idea Gavin, go into the lion's den ;)
The funny thing is if you look up panerai Brooklyn bridge limited edition is that they took a unmodified of the shelf ETA movement and put it in the watches. The movement didn’t as much say Panerai on it. So yeh panerai have made fakes of their own watches lol
Your fake Panerai is better quality than the real one coming out of the Panerai factory right now, I would hang on to it if I were you 😂
Its really one of the reasons i only buy from a dealer. With box and papers. Also a lot of the cheaper 3 day eta based panerai are quite easy to copy in regards to movement on show via caseback and operation. The 8 or 10 day complications with accurate power reserve are impossible to copy properly as their in house movements are so complex. Good video sorry you got burned but don't let it put you off just take more precautions next time. Your dialogue was very good and you put some effort into it. Best from Ireland .
Thanks for the feedback! Yes definitely learned my lesson on this one
Even worst than a fake Panerai, is the real one...!
“I tried to sell a fake Panerai and I told everyone this story the moment I got caught”
Just kidding, great video 😃👌🏾🇳🇱
Haha, you had me for a sec 😮
The high end Panerai replica looks even better than the real one. It is so real that the AD won’t even buy back the second hand watch anymore in my area.
Scary stuff. I learned the hard way
Panerai fakes are so good why would you buy genuine?
exactly
Thank you for sharing, im getting a Pam88 next week. Been saving up for 2 years for this.
No hate but this whole story seems weird. You lost me at "I had no idea idea how many fake Panerais there where" seriously where have you been? I have a hard time believing you didn't authenticate the watch when you first got it then you say this has a happy ending because you got a partial refund? You fell for the scam, paid for a fake watch and still believe you came out on top. Those scammers are geniuses. 🤣
all you have to do is watch 1 panarai video and like 15 pop up. lots of them about fakes. in fact i think there are more videos about fakes than reviews of the real.
he CLEARLY said he didn't research first......
Didn‘t make it till the end. Just too many commercials...
I'll check the ad settings on this video. Beware that ads support the free content you consume
get youtube premium, then no more ads :)
Did you buy it on Chrono?
Good for you man! Whenever I am thinking of buying an expensive watch I buy a relatively cheap fake built to spec and wear it for at least a month. I’m terrified of buying something like a a Panerai and hating it! Some of them are great!
The lesson is don't buy from an Ebay seller who has no feedback!
Lesson learned...
Great video and very informative! Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
I’m really surprised that the seller actually gave you any sort of a refund because most of these scam artist disappear after they get the money and the transaction is over. The fact that the seller even replied to your request for a refund after you told him that he sold a fake surprises me. What did you say or how did manage to get him/her to do that? Did you threaten with a lawsuit or sending over a few thugs to “say hello”? And what ever happened to the watch? Do you still have and wear it?
Exactly! I feel lucky he was willing to work with me. Though he did drag it out over days... I did end up having to resort to threats before he refunded me most of the money. The watch is in a drawer somewhere, doesn't feel right wearing a fake for me.
Really glad it all worked out for you in the end and you didn’t spend thousands of dollars on a replica, even if it was a pretty good one. This is a perfect example that good things happen to good people. It’s great that you produced this video to share your experience. Hopefully it helps and prevents others from getting scammed. You’re one of the lucky ones!
Hi. This is probably the 1st vid i saw a fellow watchnut bought a fake/replica. I really feel for you. I totally respect your honesty and willingness to share the experience to forewarn other people.
Thanks! It was definitely lesson learned so I wanted to pass it on and hopefully save someone the heartache 😊
I bought a fake 0111 from a friend who had put it together from parts sourced from a low cost outlet. It looks very nice on it`s shark tooth bracelet, and keeps wonderful time with the ST 3600 movement, right at +10 seconds per week. He said the movement was dry, so he had his watch guy oil and regulate it. He just wore it for a few months, and offered to me for $150, so now it`s mine to stay.
Why should I spend 10.000€ on a watch when i can buy a PERFECT made replica with ETA movement, sapphire glass, same materials (ceramic, s.steel, titanium etc...) for 3-400€. 🤷♂️ Even the professional seller can't find any difference without without opening the watch and then he sees swiss ETA or Sellita movement and says "cool, nice watch". I'd rather buy a boat or another sport car than a watch.
Hi
There's an old adage that says "If it's too good to be true it usually is"
I have owned a number of Panerai's over the last twenty years, they started with other peoples movements and then made their own in house calibres. What hasn't changed
Useful video. Just a little correction: there was not a Royal Italian Navy. It was the Italian Navy.
When the former set of territories in the peninsular territory became Italy, it became a Republic, not a Monarchy.
I think if you spend about $300 US dollar or more for another replica - you will discover more quality.
I just buy replica watches they have a realistic prize.. No over prize.. Good Material and good movement..
enjoying the channel but make a choice - unskipable adds will lose you viewers. Me being one of them. Growing the channel? Or all about bank?
They gave you a partial refund? Man they sold you a fake!
I think the seller didn't realize it was fake either. I take some responsibility for not doing my research. Lesson learned
Only a partial refund? That thing only cost him maybe $500 and you a big headache. Should've gotten a full refund.
Yes agreed. I was surprised by the partial refund. The best Panerai fakes sell for around $300-400USD so I’d be expecting a $2500 refund or a quick reporting trip to the police. Maybe both!
A full refund and possibly a police report for fraud was my first thought too.
HAUTEONES guy looks like the guy from WatchCrunch 🤔
partial refund???? that is messed up!!!! i feel bad for you and everyone else that has been duped, do you think the paperwork should of been included? do you think avoid getting scam and just go to the main watch retailer instead?
I have a fake panerai , works perfectly keeps good time ,don't bother me at all it's a fake, it's a nice watch
The fake Panerei was actually better quality than the real Panerei.
The fake actually used an in-house movement.
You bought it on Chrono24 and got a fake? I thought they had escrow and authenticity guarantee?
No, I only used chrono 24 to compare prices. It was from the forums
@@WatchCrunchOfficial oh that makes sense. Thanks!
I never like to hear of these incidents but am glad you recovered at least half. Great channel and much better karma going forward.
Great vid Max, I'm really glad you've taken it on the chin and not gotten disillusioned plus got some compensation from the seller. I have heard in the past of people getting fake Panerai's serviced by Panerai because they are so easy to clone although after your watch guy took that fake apart so easily it's probably one of those many apocryphal watch tales. They make the best dials in the world and I am thinking of having wrist implants so I can wear that Specchio Blu, that watch is obscenely beautiful.
Morgan, always making me Google words 😆. That blue dial is memorizing! Yes, gotta just roll with the punches right? Not every step has to be forward, sometimes we shuffle a bit
@@WatchCrunchOfficial 😂 Great attitude Max
Panerai used ETA movements which are quite common, and as the patents expired many years ago they are carbon copied in China by several companies.
This means when a watchmaker opens a Panerai he sees what s/he expects to see - an ETA looking movement.
Pretty well the only differentiator between the real thing and a fake is the dial, and if the profit is in thousands, then the faker can spend a lot of money getting it right.
I must tell you that the fake one is actually a real one and the real one is in fact a fake one. That is because in luxury goods fake ones always have better craftsmanship quality, no matter in LV bags or Prada goods or in other hi-fashion brands.
I got a tourbillon Panerai 1950 8days GTM I thought it was a fake because I didn’t see others on sale but I just barley find out that mines is only 1 of 100 pieces!!!!
I guess I'm just too familiar with Panerai's because I could tell it was a fake within seconds.
Why only a partial refund?!
It was a negotiation with the seller because he suggested I take some responsibility for not doing better research. He's not completely wrong... I got the majority of the money back
@@WatchCrunchOfficial What?! He sold the watch as genuine! Of course you should’ve taken it immediately to get it verified as real, but he was the one who sold you a fake, therefore he should’ve refunded you completely! I would’ve been at the cops to press charges so quickly! What an asshole!
I disagree. He promised one thing and didn’t deliver. Some might call that illegal. You may have been scammed twice.
@@mrjasonrowland exactly!
Panerai's fault for not innovating and opting for an outdated simpler movement mechanism.. Easily faked and now diluting the brands trust.
If you don't evolve, you go extinct.
I once bought a Tag Heuer Grand Carrera Caliber 36. I can visually tell if a watch is real or fake by looking at the movement through the sapphire case back. The watch I bought was indeed authentic. BUT when I got home I realize there was no serial number on the case back compared to stock photos online. I called the seller back. He mentioned the watch case has been replaced by authorized Tag dealer, the previous one was damaged. Tag replacement cases do not come with serial numbers they come blank. I really wanted to keep the watch, but Tag Heuer would not service the watch without serial numbers. Luckily the seller agreed to give me my money back. The watch was real just not serviceable. My take away from this experience, when buying a watch from a 3rd party, its best to meet them at an authorized dealer to get the watch checked out by a professional for authenticity. Especially for Rolex and other top brands. It will save you the headache later.
Interesting. So many nuiances with these high end pieces. Good recommendation to meet at the AD if the watch is local! Thanks
Cancel ziarex and mega clone watches. They are destroying the whole community of original watches and becoming a threat to the economy and dignity of Rolex.
I think that this is a chinese UNITAS (lepine) 'panerised'.
I bought some months ago a 'MARINA MILITARE' chinese (lepine as well, but I presume not in this case UNITAS, automatic, power reserve, date) and the results obtained are optimal.
Good info. Thanks!
partial refund???? OMG....you should have gotten a full refund....he sold you a fake watch ..there's no excuse for that.
He was willing to work with me, which was more than I had feared.
Rule #1 Never ever buy user Panerai! Even the dealers wont buy them!
Current
Panerai as a company is a total failure and a sh1tsh0w!
Your videos are very well produced!!! Greetings from Switzerland 🇨🇭.. new subscriber David
Thank you David, and welcome to the channel 🙌
An expert of the field had to use a magnifying glass and open up the watch to determine it was a fake LOL. Interesting.
Sad really. Most even “superfakes” have easy tells without even cracking the back.
He probably knew as he had his first glance. Just wanted to confirm the legitimacy instead of blindly shouting out results
A guy from Rolex stole their database and is now selling his own mega clone watches called Ziarex. This story is crazy. We need to ban this idiot.
I don't believe you didn't know, when you've seen the real you know the replicas. This is just content fodder.
i coulve saved 1000 usd on a panerai watch but afterthis video i choose to buy it directly from panerai instead of an aftermarket place there will never be anything that can beat getting the product directly from the brand
Back ground noise 😬. If its not traffic ots annoying music. Apart from that its a decent video. Pity i couldnt watch it all.
Hey man first vid I've seen of yours and you're good lol keep it up 💪
Thanks dude! Appreciate it, more good stuff coming
Butterfly clip strip is a warning ⚠️ sign, it was not yet develop at that time when this model released.
They have too many models and numbers. Love the look of them and their uniqueness and have been really interested in some used/authenticated ones.
For a real watch expert, you’re a non expert. Thank you for showing us your ignorance.
Dude's voice is a good Keanu Reeves impression.
How can u afford all these watches? I’m a 35 year old managers and I struggle buying groceries
Panerai are just 8k manual winding ETA movements lol
Haha, in house or nothing kinda guy 😉
Hi, is it possible to find a real Panerai let day Pam 104 at about $3,000 or that is definitely fake!!!
You should have bought $49 Invicta Diver . Then you would know what you got
Hey Max happy to hear you got a partial refund. In your shoes, I would have been happy to get anything back as I would have expected the seller to have vanished after closing the transaction. Did he take the watch back too?
Yes, definitely lucked out. Seems that he was duped himself. I kept the watch, so I can make this video
Serious bummer, sorry to hear this for you, but it's a great warning to the community. A recent visit to my local watch place, they were telling me all about "super fakes" - that could fool even seasoned watch repair folks. Ugh!
Yeah Brian it's scary out there! Buy the seller 👍
Hey man, I used to like your channel a lot, but I didn’t know that you jog. Unfollowed
You took a bad situation and made a video to show the entire world how irresponsible and foolish you were to believe someone "on a forum". Well done and thank you.
great quality video, but the correct term is frankenstein, not fake
Max - sorry you had to go thru this, but thanks for sharing a lesson with us!
Thanks ED, I learned the hard way, hoping others don't go through the same pain 😁
Pretty much as fraudulent as the company itself...
Hello sir ihave luminor marina automatic i dont know its real or fake
Panerai is the easiest watch to fake. Amazing you can't tell without a loop.
“Loupe”. 😊
Will you tell me my watch is original our fake my friend gift me…
So, he gave you a partial refund? Did you get to keep the fake or did you return it because if he kept the watch AND half your money, then you just gave him £1500 for nothing!
He gave me most of my money back, and I kept the fake so I can make this video.
@@WatchCrunchOfficial cool 👌