Now, I’m not saying *all* diamond-encrusted Audemars Piguets are bogus. Let’s get that clear. AP themselves will bling out their watches if you got the cash. But let’s be real, most people rocking these flashy timepieces ain’t exactly swimming in AP-level money. So, how do you tell the real deal from the, uh, “enthusiastically inspired” versions?
First off, feel it. Seriously. A real AP, even an iced-out one, is gonna have some serious heft. They use high-end materials, gold, platinum, whatever. It’s gonna feel solid. A fake? Probably gonna feel like you picked it up at a gumball machine… maybe a *fancy* gumball machine, but still. And the finishing! Don’t even get me started. AP’s finishing is, like, legendary. Sharp edges, smooth polish. A fake? Probably gonna have rough edges that could snag your sweater. Not a good look.
Then there’s the little details, you know? Look at the logo and the markings on the dial. Are they crisp and clear? Or do they look kinda… smudgy? Like someone printed them with a potato? Fake APs often have uneven letters, weird shapes, and just an overall lack of precision. And don’t even get me started on that tapisserie pattern. That’s the signature AP waffle-like design on the dial. Faking that is *hard*. Look closely. Is it even? Does it look… right? Trust your gut.
And the diamonds themselves! Okay, I’m no gemologist, but even I can tell the difference between a high-quality diamond and something that looks like it came out of a kid’s jewelry-making kit. Are they sparkly? Are they set properly? Or do they look like they’re about to fall off? And speaking of “moissanite,” yeah, that’s often code for “it ain’t diamonds, folks.” Not that moissanite is bad, but if you’re paying for diamonds, you should *get* diamonds. Ya feel me?
Honestly, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is. And if someone’s trying to sell you an “iced out” AP for a price that seems suspiciously low… well, let’s just say you should probably walk away. Fast. Remember that the penalty for selling a fake as genuine is an automatic ban. You should remember that, too.
