Is this watch real or fake thread - aka Fake Busters!!

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jt04

·Jun 21, 2026

Hi. I'm looking to get my first Aqua Terra. Currently own a Peter Blake in electric blue and looking to get a more modern daily wear watch. I settled on the quartz Aqua Terra in grey teak due to budget and wanting to keep service costs down.

I found this 231.10.39.61.06.001 watch from Japanese seller on Chrono24/ebay with a lot of positive feedback. Price after tariffs ($2000) is about the mid range for a good condition watch having warranty cards but no box.

I've done some basic online research on spotting counterfeits but would appreciate some advice because I've never seen a grey teak in real life. Thanks

 

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Ron_W

·Aug 27, 2026

Fake Speedmaster casebacks are up again, look at the gap in the word Missions. Other cases and casebands are also fake from this seller

 

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WatchIdiot

·Aug 27, 2026

Ron_W

Fake Speedmaster casebacks are up again, look at the gap in the word Missions. Other cases and casebands are also fake from this seller

Modern laser engravers make this too easy. Scan something even a photo, spend a few mins with various software and click Burn, instant engraving.

 

J

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jspeakman

·Sep 14, 2026

Using AI to spot a fake-
mixed result

Recently acquired via Chrono24 gray market brand new old stock Omega De Ville Hour Vision from Ippo, Japan. Came on beautiful 9 link steel bracelet in immaculate Omega lacquered wood box and white cardboard outer box, red warranty card with hologram, manual. Then heard about VSFactory that does very good clones of the Hour Vision. So thought I’d just check the serial number, dealer (Ippo Japan) on Google Gemini who reckoned it was legit. Gemini then suggested sending photos of movement at which point it became convinced the watch is a VSF fake! Panic!

I then cross checked with Chatgpt which from photos reckoned it was legit. Matching serial number on lug and movement, doesn’t come up as commonly faked number, free sprung balance wheel etc. Clincher seems to be that the case thickness of mine is 12.2mm checked on two calipers which is Omega standard. VSF current spec for an 'Hour Vision' I saw on a website was 13.5 which appears to be common to the fakes

Attached dial and movement photos. I put on aftermarket leather strap. Would be most grateful for a real human to have a look.

View attachment 3428990

Edited: Sep 14, 2026

 

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southtexas

·Sep 14, 2026

J jspeakman

Using AI to spot a fake-
mixed result

Recently acquired via Chrono24 gray market brand new old stock Omega De Ville Hour Vision from Ippo, Japan. Came on beautiful 9 link steel bracelet in immaculate Omega lacquered wood box and white cardboard outer box, red warranty card with hologram, manual. Then heard about VSFactory that does very good clones of the Hour Vision. So thought I’d just check the serial number, dealer (Ippo Japan) on Google Gemini who reckoned it was legit. Gemini then suggested sending photos of movement at which point it became convinced the watch is a VSF fake! Panic!

I then cross checked with Chatgpt which from photos reckoned it was legit. Matching serial number on lug and movement, doesn’t come up as commonly faked number, free sprung balance wheel etc. Clincher seems to be that the case thickness of mine is 12.2mm checked on two calipers which is Omega standard. VSF current spec for an 'Hour Vision' I saw on a website was 13.5 which appears to be common to the fakes

Attached dial and movement photos. I put on aftermarket leather strap. Would be most grateful for a real human to have a look.

DO NOT!!! I repeat-- DO NOT rely on AI to provide reliable on watch authentication (or anything, for that matter). Chatgpt is so comically incorrect while being so confident in its stupidity. Save yourself the trouble and do it the old fashioned way...with your own legwork and research.

 

J

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jspeakman

·Sep 14, 2026

Thank you for that. I would be grateful if you might give me an idea from the photos whether the watch is likely to be fake or legitimate.

 

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southtexas

·Sep 14, 2026

J jspeakman

Thank you for that. I would be grateful if you might give me an idea from the photos whether the watch is likely to be fake or legitimate.

sorry, but that model/era is not one of those I have studied. My comment was only meant to target the use of AI in this hobby. I've found it useful to search old listings/threads for particular parts and models; but dreadfully inaccurate when asking it to verify/compare/authenticate.

Its confidence in its ignorance will likely be its undoing in the coming skynet wars 😉.

 

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Fadista

·Sep 22, 2026

Hello All
Brand new to the group.
Just bought this from what I believe to be a reputable dealer with assurances that everything is legit…including the bracelet and strap.

However, I’ve become aware of some potential red flags.

Is this AT authentic? What say you experts?

 

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redpcar

·Sep 22, 2026

The easiest tell is the balance. Show us a good pic of the balance.

 

J

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jspeakman

·Sep 23, 2026

Do the serial numbers match on the movement and lugs and warrant card (if you’ve got it). You can check the serial number and model with an Omega boutique ( I did it over the phone with London boutique). Give away is whether it has a free sprung balance wheel. Difficult to replicate as fakes would usually have a standard movement with a regulator lever.

 

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Fadista

·Sep 23, 2026

J jspeakman

Do the serial numbers match on the movement and lugs and warrant card (if you’ve got it). You can check the serial number and model with an Omega boutique ( I did it over the phone with London boutique). Give away is whether it has a free sprung balance wheel. Difficult to replicate as fakes would usually have a standard movement with a regulator lever.

Which boutique?

 

J

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jspeakman

·Sep 23, 2026

Oxford Street I think but might have been Regent Street

 

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Fadista

·Sep 23, 2026

More questions. This watch arrived today. Visual inspections reveal come concerns. Here’s one: calibre 8500; vertical teak dial. Is there any scenario where this watch would have a serial number starting with ‘82’?
(See pics)

The model is too new for “82”…am I right?

 

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Annapolis

·Sep 23, 2026

Sharper picture might help, but this isn’t giving me a good feeling. The bit protruding from the lower right reminds me of several replica movements I’ve seen in pics.

 

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Fadista

·Sep 23, 2026

Annapolis

Sharper picture might help, but this isn’t giving me a good feeling. The bit protruding from the lower right reminds me of several replica movements I’ve seen in pics.

Annapolis

Sharper picture might help, but this isn’t giving me a good feeling. The bit protruding from the lower right reminds me of several replica movements I’ve seen in pics.

One of my concerns.

 

J

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jspeakman

·Sep 24, 2026

I am really no expert. All I can say is that the authenticity of my Omega Deville 8500 checked out with Omega - model description checked out with serial number and reference number. This model ran from 2007 to 2017, don’t know the date when mine was made but as new old stock import probably quite late in the run. My Omega serial number starts with 82. Agree the bit sticking out looks odd. Mine hasn’t got that. Also check the case thickness. For my De Ville, fakes tend to be over 1mm thicker - may be similar for Aqua Terra fakes.

 

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Fadista

·Sep 24, 2026

Based on further reading…yes there’s a scenario where my details could work. It’s where they manufactured the 8500 caliber in 2007 and cased in 2008. In other words…early run Gen 2. That said, the seller indicated 2012-2015 manufacture date. That’s way off as I understand.

 

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Annapolis

·Sep 24, 2026

Can you upload a much sharper picture of the feature I mentioned (and cropped) above?

Based on my crop, this appears to be a very high quality fake. But a better picture would help.

 

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Fadista

·Sep 24, 2026

Annapolis

Can you upload a much sharper picture of the feature I mentioned (and cropped) above?

Based on my crop, this appears to be a very high quality fake. But a better picture would help.

Kinda moot at this point. The seller has agreed to take it back. Too many uncertainties with this one…including this: crude, aggressive grinding on all four sides of the endlinks on a supposedly OEM bracelet. Like it was ground down to make it fit. Seller claims it’s just “normal wear”. Uhhh… 😬

 

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pea

·Oct 26, 2026

Good morning fellas! I'm looking at this Omega Aqua Terra, and this is my very first time buying watch so I don't have any knowledge about AT but find em very gorgeous and want to own one of them. I'm attaching the photos below from his post. I would very much appreciate any thoughts and advices on authenticating the piece. Thanks in advance!