Buy a fake watch on holiday and receive a big fine on returning home

In many popular holiday countries you can buy counterfeit perfume, designer clothing or watches for a small price. Sounds innocent, but when you get caught at the airport, you can get into serious trouble. be prepared and read everything about buying watches abroad in this blog. 

Buying (counterfeit) watches abroad 

Importing counterfeit watches is illegal. The rules differ per European country, but the purchase and import of counterfeit is prohibited everywhere. Upon inspection, the articles can be confiscated and the traveler receives a fine of up to 20,000 pounds.

A lot of rules have changed since Brexit. Check the Gov.uk site for the latest customs regulations.

A high price does not mean it is a real watch

Abroad, watches from expensive brands such as Rolex and Omega with a value of thousands of pounds aresometimes  offered for a few hundred euros or less. But also watches that you can buy for less than £ 200 are being counterfeited! For example G-Shock, Fossil and Ice-Watch. 

You can often tell a fake immediately, but from a distance it is not always clear. Often fake watches are sold as "real" with a nice price tag and only watch specialists are able to judge what type of watch it is by taking a look in the movement. Always stay alert when you spot a bargain!

Tips for recognizing real brand watches 

When you put down a lot of money for a nice watch, you naturally want the watch to be genuine. Always pay attention to the following: 

1. Know where you buy and do preliminary research 

Try to find a reliable, official dealer. Do preliminary research; Study the original watch online on the site of the maufacturer on various points, so you always have comparison material. 

2. Check the watch for weight 

Authentic, luxury watches are made from high-quality (often heavier) materials. Fake watches are often made from inexpensive materials such as plastic or hollow sheet metal. 

3. Look for authentic features 
 

Check the watch for authentic seals, labels or certificates with holographic stickers. You can expect this from quality watches. But beware, authenticity certificates and labels are also copied! 

4. Check the serial number 

Of most luxury watch brands you can often find verifiable serial numbers online. On the manufacturer's website you can find more information about the unique ID that can be found on the watch.

5. Make sure the warranty papers are in order

When you actually buy the watch, make sure the (warranty) papers are properly filled in on the spot and you receive a clear invoice. This way, the factory warranty also applies in the UK and you have proof of purchase if Customs asks about the origin of the watch.

Tips for recognizing fake watches 

1. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is 

A Rolex for £200? Impossible.
 

2. Messy presentation 

Stores where fake items are sold often have a messy presentation. All brands - from cheap to expensive - are mixed. You can be sure that a store where genuine brand watches are sold never present the watches in such a way. The brands check this regularly. 
 

3. Genuine brand watches are not sold on the street

Genuine brand watches are not sold from street stalls or in tourist shops.
 

4. You may not view the product before purchase

The watch looks like a chronograph, but you cannot press the pushers with which you operate this function. Often sub-dials are printed on the dial and not functional. The seller will try to prevent you from holding the product before you buy it.

Replica watches: cheap or expensive? 

Back to your holiday destination and the fake watch. We can imagine that when you come across the (financially unattainable) Rolex, Breitling or Audemars Piguet watch of your dreams for a "steal", you will be tempted to buy. Do or don't buy? The choice is of course yours. 

As a watch specialist, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that the quality of the timepiece of a replica watch is considerably less than that of an authentic watch. Although there are replicas that cannot be distinguished from the real thing, these watches will never be 100% the same. 

Research also shows that the conditions in which replicas are made are terrible. Hazardous substances are used and there is child labor.

Replica watches are not repaired

What is also important to know: replica watches will not be repaired by official dealers and watchmakers. Our watchmakers don't tinker with a replica either. In fact, if you send a fake watch to the brand manufacturer for service, it will be confiscated and you could face a hefty fine. Even if you didn't know beforehand that the watch was fake! Unfortunately, we also have to deal with this regularly.

Buy luxury watches online 

We are an official dealer of more than 60 watch brands. With us you are assured of original watches with full warranty from the brands themselves. If you are looking for a bargain, have a look at the considerably discounted watches in our outlet. That way you still have money left over for an extra drink or ice cream cone on holiday. Enjoy the summer!