How to Spot a Fake Audemars Piguet?

Audemars Piguet: A Target for Counterfeits

Audemars Piguet is a high-end Swiss watch brand, renowned for its innovation, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge materials. Its most iconic model, the Royal Oak, is also one of the most counterfeited.

Introduced in 1972, the Royal Oak revolutionized the watch industry as the first luxury sports watch in stainless steel. Its octagonal bezel and visible screws, designed by Gérald Genta, were inspired by vintage British naval ships.

But how do you differentiate an authentic Audemars Piguet from a counterfeit? Here’s a detailed guide to help you avoid scams.

Check the Price

✔ If the price is too good to be true, it’s a fake.

Audemars Piguet watches are luxury timepieces. Even pre-owned models rarely drop below $12,000, while limited editions and complicated models can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars.

🔹 Entry-level models start at around $17,000
🔹 Rare editions and precious metal variants exceed $100,000

If a seller is offering a "brand new" Royal Oak for $5,000, it’s a scam.

Verify the Serial Number

Each authentic Audemars Piguet has a unique serial number engraved on the caseback.

✔ Contact Audemars Piguet or an authorized dealer to verify the number.
✔ Counterfeit watches often have fake or duplicated serial numbers.

📌 If the seller refuses to provide the serial number before purchase, walk away.

Examine the Case & Bezel

✔ An authentic Royal Oak features a perfectly symmetrical octagonal bezel.
✔ The beveling should be sharp and precise, not rounded or uneven.
✔ Visible screws should be perfectly aligned and flush with the bezel.

Fake models often have misaligned screws or incorrect angles.

Inspect the Dial & Engraving

✔ Audemars Piguet’s "Tapisserie" dial has an intricate pattern laser-engraved onto the surface. Fake watches often have poorly stamped or blurry patterns.

✔ The AP logo and typography should be flawless. Look for:
🔹 Inconsistent letter spacing
🔹 Different font weights
🔹 Misspellings or incorrect branding

✔ The date window on an authentic model is perfectly centered and has a magnification lens (cyclops) on some models. Many fakes lack this feature.

Analyze the Watch Movement

✔ A genuine Audemars Piguet runs on a high-end Swiss movement, featuring smooth, continuous sweeping seconds.
✔ Fake watches often use quartz movements, which produce a "ticking" effect rather than a smooth sweep.

Test: Hold the watch to your ear—if you hear a loud ticking noise, it’s fake.

✔ The rotor on the back of an authentic AP is beautifully finished, with high-polished details. Fake models often have rough, jagged edges.

Assess the Watch’s Weight

✔ Authentic Audemars Piguet watches are heavy.
✔ They are made of gold, titanium, or platinum, not cheap stainless steel.

📌 A light watch is an instant red flag.

Check the Bracelet & Clasps

✔ Authentic Audemars Piguet bracelets are seamlessly integrated into the case.
✔ Fakes often have loosely connected, poorly aligned links.

✔ The AP logo on the clasp should be engraved perfectly—counterfeits often have rough, shallow engravings.

Test the Crown & Pushers

✔ The crown should screw down smoothly, not feel loose.
✔ The pushers should be responsive, not stiff or overly sensitive.

A malfunctioning chronograph (if the watch has one) is a classic sign of a fake.

How to Ensure Your Audemars Piguet is Genuine?

✔ Buy from authorized dealers – Avoid grey markets or unknown online sellers.
✔ Request a certificate of authenticity and original paperwork.
✔ Compare the watch with official AP listings before purchasing.

🔍 If in doubt, consult a professional watchmaker to authenticate the timepiece.

How to Wind an Audemars Piguet?

For Automatic Models
✔ Turn the crown 30 times clockwise in its neutral position (Position 1).
✔ If the crown is screw-down, unscrew it first.
✔ After winding, push the crown back and secure it to maintain water resistance.

📌 Audemars Piguet automatic watches have a safety mechanism that prevents over-winding.

For Manual Models
✔ Remove the watch from your wrist before winding.
✔ Turn the crown 20-40 times in the clockwise direction.
✔ Stop as soon as you feel resistance—forcing it can damage the mechanism.
✔ Wind your watch daily at the same time for optimal performance.

📌 Manual models require regular winding, while automatic ones stay powered through movement.

In Summary: How to Spot a Fake Audemars Piguet

✔ Check the price—if it's too cheap, it’s a fake.
✔ Verify the serial number with AP or a trusted dealer.
✔ Inspect the case, dial, and bezel—they should be flawless.
✔ Analyze the watch movement—real APs have a smooth sweep, not a ticking motion.
✔ Test the crown, pushers, and clasp—they should function smoothly.
✔ Weigh the watch—authentic models are heavy.
✔ Always buy from reputable sellers to avoid counterfeits.

📌 Still unsure? Get your watch authenticated by a professional watchmaker before purchasing.