The largest independent, non-commercial, consumer-oriented resource on the Internet for owners, collectors and enthusiasts of fine wristwatches. Online since 1998.
Informational Websites ChronoMaddox -- the legacy of Chuck Maddox OnTheDash -- vintage Heuer website Zowie -- Omega information
Discussion Forums ChronoMaddox Forum Heuer Forum Omega Forum
Counterfeit Watchers ChronoTools Forum ChronoTrader Forum

Counterfeit Watchers Discussion Forum

A forum for identifying and avoiding wholly or partially non-authentic wristwatches -- including counterfeit, replica, Frankenwatches and other fake or bastardized pieces. Our objective here is to DISCOURAGE the sales and purchase of counterfeit wristwatch and jewelry products. It is also for helping people identify watches that are mostly authentic, but have been: altered for personal customization, repaired with inappropriate parts or modified to be passed off as more valuable pieces.

Including a photo of the piece you are talking about ALWAYS helps! You can learn how to post a photo here: How To Include Photos In Your Postings. 'For sale' postings, commercial solicitation and ads are not allowed. Links to Internet auctions are acceptable only if their purpose is to question the authenticity of a product or provide new clues for identifying counterfeit products. Links that appear to be 'shills' promoting the sale of counterfeit products will be deleted. Links to websites of sellers of counterfeit items are not permitted -- we know they are out there and do not need to be encouraging them by sending traffic to their sites. Privacy, additional policies and administrivia are covered in the Terms of Use.

Re: Cartier Tank Francaise
In Response To: Cartier Tank Francaise *LINK* ()

This I think could go either way:

Points towards being genuine:

the links on the band are filled, not stamped... the clasp looks solid... details of the face are mostly right, except for the slash in roman numeral "X"...

However:

Points towards being fake, or remade:

The crown is smaller on this watch than on the picture Cartier has on its website. Also, the details behind the watch, listed on the page, are incorrect. Cartier says this model is quartz, not automatic. Furthermore the back of the watch is a bit suspect, as it looks like it may have been swapped out. Maybe this is an automatic movement, maybe not: all I'm saying is I did not notice this watch coming in anything except quartz.

I'm on the fence. You should probably go to the cartier website and look at the picture there. If it seems genuine to you, go ahead and bid. However, I would ask the seller what papers he will include with the watch. If it is chronometer certified, there should be a certificate saying so.

Current Position
Chronocentric and zOwie site design and contents (c) Copyright 1998-2005, Derek Ziglar; Copyright 2005-2008, Jeffrey M. Stein. All rights reserved. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the terms of use. CONTACT | TERMS OF USE | TRANSLATE