Can anyone help me authenticate this blue dial PRC200? Thorough pictures included, all info included

[BBNG]

EDIT:The serial number raises questions as well. I just saw the newest version of the PRC200 on youtube (this watch's bracelet/serial number also matches what I saw at my local tissot AD).
My opinion is that it's a good fake.
It shows the lock knob on the back. Serial number variations are completely different. (12 number serials are the Tissot standard).

See this video. The gentleman did a good job showcasing the entire watch.
Original Tissot PRC 200 ( How to check ) - YouTube

I've watched this video before, but didn't notice the difference in serial numbers, with his not having any hyphens. But correct me if I'm wrong his serial number only has 11 characters? Mine has 10.

[BBNG]

I'm still interested in this area circled in red. It looks like there's some weird white stuff in between the tachymetre rim and the dial? My watch was bought from an AD last November, but it's a 2010 model (had been in the shop for a year). Still looks like the one in the video above.

Yeah. Not sure what that is. Could be a defect or just some convenient fluff on the crystal.

If it's not too much trouble to ask, would you mind taking some photos of yours? You're the only other person here I've seen with this PRC200 and yours is definitely genuine so it's a good basis to go off.

1 - Does the serial number on yours appear like mine (hyphenated) or just printed characters. Also, how many?
2 - What are the chrono dials like in comparison to the tone of the large dial? Any pictures with consistent lighting you could take? Just to see how closely the two colours match. The difference on mine is strange too when compared to catalogue shots.
3 - The clasp locking mechanism. Does it look like mine or different.

Thanks for your continued help! much appreciated.

[AsAnAtheist]

I've watched this video before, but didn't notice the difference in serial numbers, with his not having any hyphens. But correct me if I'm wrong his serial number only has 11 characters? Mine has 10.

Yeah there's 11 numbers in his serial, my bad. I just checked with my 2 Tissot watches, they both have 11 number serials. Also looking online @ watchfinder.co.uk reveals they have watches with the starting serial SKM, but those too have 11 numbers.

As I've said, this is probably a good fake.

[Legge]

1 - Does the serial number on yours appear like mine (hyphenated) or just printed characters. Also, how many?
2 - What are the chrono dials like in comparison to the tone of the large dial? Any pictures with consistent lighting you could take? Just to see how closely the two colours match. The difference on mine is strange too when compared to catalogue shots.
3 - The clasp locking mechanism. Does it look like mine or different.

Thanks for your continued help! much appreciated.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to a decent camera right now. I can still answer your questions:

1. Mine has 11 numbers and no hyphens.
2. The catalogue shot is probably the most inaccurate version of them all. The small dials are light blue and shiny like in your pictures.
3. Only the knob attachment point and the text are different when compared to my watch. The locking mechanism looks identical as far as I can tell.

This is probably the best picture of my dial, I have stored. The phone cam still can't capture all the details:

[BBNG]

Unfortunately, I don't have access to a decent camera right now. I can still answer your questions:

1. Mine has 11 numbers and no hyphens.
2. The catalogue shot is probably the most inaccurate version of them all. The small dials are light blue and shiny like in your pictures.
3. Only the knob attachment point and the text are different when compared to my watch. The locking mechanism looks identical as far as I can tell.

Thanks for that. Your help has been much appreciated.

I took it to the only Swatch group headquarters in Australia today and they concluded (after having 3 people assess it) that it was a counterfeit, one of the best they'd ever seen.

At first it was inspected by two servicemen who both thought it was genuine, though weren't 100% confident in saying so. It was then taken to another watchmaker who has been working for Swatch for 30 years or something and at first he said it was genuine as well. Based on appearances. Though he opened the case and this is what I was told (I wasn't actually allowed to step into the labs, had to wait in reception for the one of the customer assistants to bring back the info.)

The contraption (a claw she called it) fit perfectly and seamlessly into the slots on the back of the case (apparently not always the case with replicas) When they took the case back off, the correct battery was being used, and then I got a bit confused with what she said (not knowing all the names of the inside parts of watches) Basically she said that there was a 'seal' in the watch that is present in all Tissot watches, though is constructed as one for Tissots. In my watch it was two separate parts welded (very well apparently) together.

This was conclusive enough for them apparently to deem it a replica. I asked her of the movement and she said that they didn't bother examining the movement because the people that make the replica can obtain these movements somehow... or fake them or something?

I showed her my warranty card and asked her if it was completely fake, she was puzzled I had one (stamped too) and took it back in again for inspection (I asked her here to please tell me if they could give me any details as to the quality of the movement inside, she said yes). To my disappointment when she came back she said again nothing about the movement and that they didn't check, and rather said that when they input the serial number into the database nothing came up for the watch.

The receptionist (woman helping) also noted the difference in the colour of the dial and sub dials. She said that to me herself, that it was the only thing that indicated to her it was a replica (exterior) and that the two tones were much just that bit too different.

So it seems I do have a fake watch. Do you think it's worth trying to find a 3rd party watch maker who will be able to open it and have me examine the movement with him?

I'll be sending the seller a message about it too. See what he has to say.

[AsAnAtheist]

Thanks for that. Your help has been much appreciated.

I took it to the only Swatch group headquarters in Australia today and they concluded (after having 3 people assess it) that it was a counterfeit, one of the best they'd ever seen.

At first it was inspected by two servicemen who both thought it was genuine, though weren't 100% confident in saying so. It was then taken to another watchmaker who has been working for Swatch for 30 years or something and at first he said it was genuine as well. Based on appearances. Though he opened the case and this is what I was told (I wasn't actually allowed to step into the labs, had to wait in reception for the one of the customer assistants to bring back the info.)

The contraption (a claw she called it) fit perfectly and seamlessly into the slots on the back of the case (apparently not always the case with replicas) When they took the case back off, the correct battery was being used, and then I got a bit confused with what she said (not knowing all the names of the inside parts of watches) Basically she said that there was a 'seal' in the watch that is present in all Tissot watches, though is constructed as one for Tissots. In my watch it was two separate parts welded (very well apparently) together.

This was conclusive enough for them apparently to deem it a replica. I asked her of the movement and she said that they didn't bother examining the movement because the people that make the replica can obtain these movements somehow... or fake them or something?

I showed her my warranty card and asked her if it was completely fake, she was puzzled I had one (stamped too) and took it back in again for inspection (I asked her here to please tell me if they could give me any details as to the quality of the movement inside, she said yes). To my disappointment when she came back she said again nothing about the movement and that they didn't check, and rather said that when they input the serial number into the database nothing came up for the watch.

The receptionist (woman helping) also noted the difference in the colour of the dial and sub dials. She said that to me herself, that it was the only thing that indicated to her it was a replica (exterior) and that the two tones were much just that bit too different.

So it seems I do have a fake watch. Do you think it's worth trying to find a 3rd party watch maker who will be able to open it and have me examine the movement with him?

I'll be sending the seller a message about it too. See what he has to say.

The movement can be bought from many sources for cheap by anyone, not worth it pursuing it. The most probable reason they didn't mention the movement is because they know it's using the same ETA quartz chronograph movement as the real tissot PRC200. Why would they want to confuse you by telling you it's a genuine swiss quartz movement?

It's a fake, the fact the serial is not showing up in their database is enough.

[BBNG]

Hmm.. Ok so how do I deal with this? I've read/heard a few times that the seller will claim that it is real and that you can return it to them for a full refund, which results more often than not in them not refunding you and then reselling the fake again. Here is what the seller had to say...

I told him that Swatch reported it as fake and that the Tachymetre wasn't alligned.

Hi, dear freind, yes! open the back house (case) of the watch , and to confirm the Watch Movements is SWISS TISSOT , it is the unique full and correctly methods to confirm, what is the Tachymetre ? the Tachymetre = Movements ? thanks!
I sure you must found it with the original Swiss Tissot Movement! TISSOT company have many accessory factory in worldwide which country with a lower labor value salary, such as in Philippines, China or India. Almost of accessory of Tissot watches are made in these countries , but these be assembled become a whole watch in Swiss. it with many batch , that watch the first be create about on 2005 or 2006 year, during this period, it was be update version many times, All these , it is not possible has a 100% full same, but all of the Watch Movements are 100% with a full same (Made by TISSOT Switzerland Mother Company), I have never heard that Tissot would like sell their Movement to others for made a fake watch ! All the box and the manual etc are original, the print is perfect, if it is fake, it will be a poor quality, all of these, I ensure prove the wathc is original, and we can ensure your watch can in good working more than 6 years at least , even any working trouble (But Not including by person), I can replace a new one to you within 1 year! I only want to tell you , this is original, Not fake!
Of course! if you think I am not correct, you can please return , I will give you a full refund , I trust you also are honest! thanks!
Sincerely !
Best Regards!

I then asked if he had access to the watches being sold and that maybe his supplier is supplying him with fakes and that the warranty card is not valid to which he replied


Hi my friend, I sold many watch ,and many person brought their watch to the Tissot company , be confirm is real! I do not know why your local like think it is fake, Yes, I am Brazilian, I live and sell watches here in Singapore, Singapore do not allow with any fake come here ,the country law is very very strict! it is impossible to arrive in Singapore with a a quantity! because it is a small country , it is easy be managed by Singapore customs , I told you it is real, I also do not know what I should say more! Do you heard the standard is not full the same on worldwide? Normal the Europe standard is the best high, such the food standard, it also is not the small , I sure the the food should be very importand than the watch! so I think maybe because my watches from Brazil and south market, I think the box and the manual book is perfect, you can feel free use your watch for a period, it must in a very very good working! I ensure you watch can be used at least more than 6 years, I can replace a new one to you if your watches with any working question within 1 year , I only want to tell you , this is original, Not fake! Please trust me my friend. You can look my positive feedbacks, it is the best prove!
Of course, if you still doubt , I also can accept your return, then I will give you a full refund , I am sincerely! my friend, thought I am sad! But I still make a apology for your insatisfaction! I wait your response, thank you very much, Best Regards

Thoughts? Should I send it back for a refund? Am I likely to see the money?

[Legge]

So he's suggesting that Tissot makes crappier wathes for the south market

I'd send it back and file a chargeback with my credit card issuer, if he didn't refund your money. Just remember to reserve all the messages from him and also make sure that you have documents to prove that you have sent the watch back. After all, $290 is quite a high price to pay for a confirmed fake Tissot.

[BBNG]

Yeah I know. He's actually very good at the manipulation game. If I didn't know better I might have thought he was ignorant to what he was doing to, not knowing his supplier is supplying him with reps. Or maybe he doesn't, who knows.

Am I even allowed to send it back to him though? I thought it was against ebay/paypal policy to send back replicas? Like I said I've read a few times from people sending replicas back, not recieving a refund and then the seller probably going on to resell it!

Also, just a side note, how are the Hollow end links holding up on your watch Legge? On the crumby rep I have here one of them is already starting to separate from the case, and I've barely worn the damn thing. One day before my joy was shattered. How is that even possible??

[mikeynd]

I hope the next time people will start buying from AD's or do lots more research before buying.