Original or Fake Fortis watch? Spotting the Counterfeits

• 2007-10-10
  Filed under Press
  
  High-quality goods receiving a high investment in their brand image are particularly at risk from counterfeiting; a trend which significantly affects the watch-making industry.  Recent counterfeit estimates are between 30 to 40 million annually.  Counterfeiters have learned that these illegal products have to be absolutely true to details as to the original to fool people.  Therefore, it is often difficult to distinguish between original and fake timepieces.
  
  The internet is a highly effective channel for delivering products to a global audience at a relatively low cost. This is true for legitimate e-commerce, but unfortunately it is also true for the sales and distribution of counterfeit and gray market goods.  Luxury goods are particularly threatened by this phenomenon.  Many buyers are not aware that counterfeit watches are seized and destroyed by customs officials once these are detected.
  
  The FORTIS B-42 Official Cosmonauts Chronograph Automatic is a recent example of falsification.  The case was identical in size and shape following the FORTIS original and houses a quartz chronograph movement.  Altogether most characteristics were the same in size and shape, such as the typical FORTIS B-42 Chronograph 'watch face' with its dial figuration.  Even the caseback and crown were embossed like the original with the FORTIS logo, which is legally protected in order to achieve as high an authenticity for the counterfeit as possible.  Only the limitation plaque attached laterally at the watch case and fixed with two screws to the original, is executed as a simple laser engraving.
  
  To avoid the risk of purchasing a counterfeit item, always purchase your watch from an official retailer which is authorised by the brand to sell its goods.  For second-hand buys, contact the brand directly and ask for guidance on how to confirm that the second-hand piece is genuine.  Alternatively, familiarise yourself with the features of genuine models; look through catalogues and compare each part of the watch.
  
  Once you have used watchluxus.com to find your ideal watch, we direct you to a list of the brands official retailers, so you can be sure of purchasing the genuine article.
  
  
  
  
  Link: http://www.fortis-watch.com/en/news/frameset.html