Wait a minute, did I buy counterfeit Polywatch?

krogerfoot · Sep 9, 2022

The bottom tube is what I got a seemingly great deal on. Polywatch purportedly goes for $50 a tube on AmazonJP.

Did I fall victim to a gang of transnational watch crystal polishing pirates?

JimJupiter · Sep 9, 2022

well at least both companies exist in Germany. Probably just a sub producing the same?

wristpirate · Sep 9, 2022

They changed the labelling a year or two back. The bottom tube is the newer style font

krogerfoot · Sep 9, 2022

wristpirate
They changed the labelling a year or two back. The bottom tube is the newer style font

Ah, a pre-2020 vintage in my collection.

DaveK · Sep 9, 2022

On Amazon, I always filter for items sold and fulfilled by Amazon. There is some reasonable assurance this way that I am avoiding counterfeit items.

By the way, the second tube you bought is made my Stark (AKA Ultraman) so it’s for speedmasters only ::rimshot::

gbesq · Sep 9, 2022

Just use toothpaste. It works just as well and your watch will smell minty fresh. Novus polish also works and it’s MUCH less expensive.

marco · Sep 9, 2022

Solvol Autosol ( chrome cleaner) works very well and will polish other metals as well.

josiahg52 · Sep 9, 2022

Buying items sold and shipped by Amazon may improve your chances of getting a genuine product but be aware that Amazon may utilize fulfillment partners' warehouse items to fulfill your order more quickly. I read this some time ago and cannot find the reference to it any longer.

I just assume that Amazon - like eBay - has no real concern about counterfeit products until it becomes a problem and minimize my contact with them.

wrist time · Sep 9, 2022

Amazon also mixes their stock with that of sellers who they ship for from Amazon warehouses. Selecting Amazon as the seller doesn't guarantee you won't get a counterfeit item.

Braindrain · Sep 9, 2022

Talking about counterfeit, I realized that I recently bought a (most likely) counterfeit Renata battery off eBay. Dude had about 1500 positive feedback so I thought he probably sells legit stuff.

Nope. Battery was almost dead on arrival - even though it had a "good by 2025" date on it. Exhibited all the characteristics of a fake battery. Threw it out and bought a legit Energizer from the drugstore.

At least the eBay seller gave me a refund when I said battery was no good. I couldn't prove it was fake, though.

sheepdoll · Sep 9, 2022

I bought a tube from Otto Frei when I purchaced the oil. The packaging is insane. Like an iPhone accessory. Complete with QR code.

(note the tube in the back is generic locktite , the batteries are dead.)

-j

josiahg52 · Sep 9, 2022

Braindrain
Talking about counterfeit, I realized that I recently bought a (most likely) counterfeit Renata battery off eBay. Dude had about 1500 positive feedback so I thought he probably sells legit stuff.

Nope. Battery was almost dead on arrival - even though it had a "good by 2025" date on it. Exhibited all the characteristics of a fake battery. Threw it out and bought a legit Energizer from the drugstore.

At least the eBay seller gave me a refund when I said battery was no good. I couldn't prove it was fake, though.

I order from Renata authorized dealers only - mostly Mouser - for exactly this reason. Nice that you got a refund, though. It's a jungle out there.

Waltesefalcon · Sep 10, 2022

krogerfoot
The bottom tube is what I got a seemingly great deal on. Polywatch purportedly goes for $50 a tube on AmazonJP.

Did I fall victim to a gang of transnational watch crystal polishing pirates?

$50!? The last time I bought poly watch is was something like $5. Was it affected by Covid scarcity or something?

krogerfoot · Sep 10, 2022

Waltesefalcon
$50!? The last time I bought poly watch is was something like $5. Was it affected by Covid scarcity or something?

There’s no rhyme or reason to the pricing of certain items on AmazonJP. The Polywatch I bought was about $5.