First off, forget about just lookin’ at the watch itself. Sure, the craftsmanship *might* be a clue, but the real problem is the dang coin. I mean, they can make the rest of the watch look pretty decent, right? But the coin…that’s where the real skill is needed, and often, where the fakers cut corners.
One thing I saw mentioned was the streak test. You know, rubbin’ the coin on a ceramic tile? If it leaves a golden or yellow streak, good sign. Black? Uh oh, Houston, we have a problem. But honestly, I’m kinda skeptical of this one. Seems like a pretty easy thing for a faker to fake, ya know? I mean, they’re making *entire coins*, a colored streak seems like a walk in the park. Still, worth a shot, I guess.
Another thing I’ve heard is to check the weight and size. Real gold is dense, so a fake coin might be slightly off in weight or dimensions. But again, these counterfeiters are gettin’ good. They might use metals that *mimic* the weight. So, gotta be careful. You’d need a pretty precise scale and maybe even a caliper to measure accurately.
Personally, I think the best bet is to just get it checked out by a pro. I mean, seriously. Go to a reputable coin dealer or jeweler. They have the tools and the experience to spot a fake. It might cost you a little bit, but think of it as an insurance policy against getting totally ripped off. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Also, this might sound obvious, but where’d you *get* the watch? If you bought it from some dude in a back alley for pennies on the dollar, well, what did you expect? A reputable seller is less likely to be peddling fakes. (Keyword: *less* likely. Still gotta be vigilant!)
And hey, even if it *is* a fake, don’t beat yourself up too much. Happens to the best of us. Just learn from the experience and be more careful next time. Maybe stick to checking those reputable dealers, like I said.
