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AP 18k gold automatic authenticity

Slowpoker
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Hi there everyone,

Apologies if these threads are starting to irritate anyone, however I only make these if I'm really confused about the authenticity of a watch.

I think if this one turns out not to be authentic I'll just go onto Chrono 24.

Anyway I'm being offered this 18k gold Audemars Piguet by someone on eBay and thusly I wanted to see if it was atleast genuine. It seems to have all the markings and stamps needed, however I'm confused about the movement.

The seller apparently had the watch's gold metal confirmed by two jewellers who said the gold was genuine. The dial looks to be exactly identical to a genuine watch. However I'm not too sure about two of the front screws, they look like they've got the ingrained lines too far up or down the screw. (2nd right and 3rd left)
Screenshot_20181204-071123_eBay.jpg Screenshot_20181204-141056_eBay.jpg Screenshot_20181204-163107_eBay.jpg Screenshot_20181204-163139_eBay.jpg


Thanks for your time everyone!
 
staristheanswer
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Hey SlowPokerFace 😜
I can't tell if it is a gold watch and you are right about the screws but on the third screw left if you make zoom you can see
that the line is in the middle.It is the light that makes it look like its not in the middle of the screw.
I can't say the same thing for the second screw on the right,even with zoom looks bad.
 
Slowpoker
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staristheanswer staristheanswer
Hey SlowPokerFace 😜
I can't tell if it is a gold watch and you are right about the screws but on the third screw left if you make zoom you can see
that the line is in the middle.It is the light that makes it look like its not in the middle of the screw.
I can't say the same thing for the second screw on the right,even with zoom looks bad.

Yep indeed, I've just gotten another photo and the screws are centred. Thanks so much for your reply by the way.

A shot of the movement too; which seems to be a 3120 calibre which is present in this watch across the board.
Screenshot_20181204-202817_eBay.jpg Screenshot_20181204-202844_eBay.jpg
 
ac106
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Jesus Christ I mean this is what, a $50,000 watch and the guy can’t give you some halfway decent pictures?
 
Slowpoker
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ac106 ac106
Jesus Christ I mean this is what, a $50,000 watch and the guy can’t give you some halfway decent pictures?

Indeed that's what I was thinking. From the photos the movement has EVERYTHING a 3120 should have, however I'm not an expert and so I've gotta ask people.

I do have eBay's money back guarantee, but I'm still not too sure. Is there anyone with a watch very similar to this one who can shed some light on this situation?
 
gatorcpa
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Slowpoker Slowpoker
Is there anyone with a watch very similar to this one who can shed some light on this situation?
Not from photos like that.

This is why I would never buy a modern high-end watch on eBay. If I was going to spend this kind of money, I would want to see it in person and have the ability to take it to an AD for assessment.

You must "buy the seller" in cases like this,
gatorcpa
 
ac106
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If you have the money for this level of watch, should you really be bargain hunting on Ebay? why not contact a reputable dealer like European Watch? While their asking prices will be higher, they negotiate, guarantee authenticity and provide a warranty. The ancillary benefits including peace of mind would probably make up for the ebay discount.
 
Slowpoker
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
Not from photos like that.

This is why I would never buy a modern high-end watch on eBay. If I was going to spend this kind of money, I would want to see it in person and have the ability to take it to an AD for assessment.

You must "buy the seller" in cases like this,
gatorcpa


Yep, that's what I'm attempting to do. So far he is perfectly accommodating and understanding, quite friendly too.

More photos of the movement here. Plus the watch in its sheath.
Screenshot_20181205-184358_eBay.jpg Screenshot_20181205-184429_eBay.jpg Screenshot_20181205-184440_eBay.jpg
 
gatorcpa
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From your other post on late model AP’s:
Slowpoker Slowpoker
"Without having the opportunity to examine your timepiece we cannot confirm its authencity through pictures, case numbers, reference…"

If this is what the AP factory is telling you, what makes you think that anyone in this or any other forum would be able to tell authenticity from photos on eBay?

The watch may be perfectly OK or it may not. It all comes down to how big of a gambler are you? Fakes of some of the popular modern watches can be very, very good.
gatorcpa
 
Slowpoker
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gatorcpa gatorcpa
From your other post on late m
gatorcpa gatorcpa
Just came across this article:

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-swiss-watches-secondhand-idUSKCN1NP1YD

Perhaps you should wait a year or so until eBay gets the details sorted.
gatorcpa

odel AP’s:


If this is what the AP factory is telling you, what makes you think that anyone in this or any other forum would be able to tell authenticity from photos on eBay?

The watch may be perfectly OK or it may not. It all comes down to how big of a gambler are you? Fakes of some of the popular modern watches can be very, very good.
gatorcpa

Indeed I understand. It's a big gamble since there's just so many hallmarks on it I've not seen on fakes but have seen on real watches... Such as the markings on the clasp which fakes don't seem to have.

Well, I mean there's an eBay money back guarantee so I suppose there's really nothing to lose here if things go wrong. I'll just get my money back.

Also that article is nice to read, thank you for linking it. It's good to know eBay are trying to stamp out fakes and actually seem to care for their buyers... Or their sales and reputation. Either way it's good for me.
 
ac106
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He is quite accommodating in sending you blurry low res photos, at odd angles, obscured by the flash.

Honestly, at this price point why are you dicking around with this guy on ebay? True they do have buyers protection but for items with this costs it gets escalated to their investigation people. It's not like they are going to refund your $50K the next day because you say its fake. And jesus christ what if they believe the seller?
 
Slowpoker
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ac106 ac106
He is quite accommodating in sending you blurry low res photos, at odd angles, obscured by the flash.

Honestly, at this price point why are you dicking around with this guy on ebay? True they do have buyers protection but for items with this costs it gets escalated to their investigation people. It's not like they are going to refund your $50K the next day because you say its fake. And jesus christ what if they believe the seller?

This is exactly why I've made a thread about the watch. I appreciate your firm advice greatly.

You mentioned a European watch?
From what you've said they seem to be reputable but I can't find them online, are they a dealer on Chrono24 or a standalone shop?

Thanks for your time everyone, it's truly appreciated.
 
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