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Advice and tips on buying and selling between private individuals

How can you spot a fake Bulgari Serpenti watch?

First launched in the 1940s, the Serpenti watch by Italian brand Bulgari has become one of the brand's most iconic models. Characterised by their elegant snake-like design, these watches have been worn by some of the most influential people in the world. There are several different models of the Serpenti watch, each with unique features and designs. Some have automatic movements, while others have quartz movements. Some have round cases, while others have tonneau or heart-shaped cases. The notoriety surrounding these watches has not kept counterfeiters away, and they have been quick to create replicas. If you want to buy your Bulgari watch outside an official shop or second-hand, here are our tips for spotting a fake Serpenti watch.

The :

The first point to look out for when deciding whether a watch is authentic or not is the brand inscription. Bulgari always marks its products in the same way. It is written in capital letters and in Roman script.

If you see Bulgari inscriptions written in lower case ("Bvlgari") or not in Roman letters ("BULGARI"), you can immediately be sure that you are dealing with a counterfeit. Bulgari always prints its logo in this way: "BVLGARI".

Also pay attention to the details of the brand markings. It is not uncommon to find that on models from replica factories, the letters are misaligned. This is not the case with genuine Bulgari watches, which have no defects whatsoever.

Above an authentic Serpenti watch by Bulgari

Packaging:

Let's move on to an analysis of the packaging. This is very interesting to observe, as it says a lot about the authenticity of the watch. Serpenti watches come in luxurious Bulgari packaging, more precisely in a leather box engraved with the brand's logo. Your watch also comes with a protective case, a user manual and a warranty.

You first need to check that you have all these items. Crooks regularly forget one of the accessories.

Take a look at the protective case that comes with the watch. It is also made of leather and designed to protect the watch during transport. It should be the same colour as the case, i.e. black and red. Counterfeiters regularly reproduce this all-black case.

Curious to find out more about Bulgari counterfeits? Read our article on the luxury brand's Serpenti bag.

Materials :

You should also pay particular attention to the materials used in your watch, and more specifically to its appearance. The brand's watches are made from expensive, top-quality materials. This fashion accessory is also subject to very strict quality controls.

This is not the case with counterfeit factories, which, in the interests of profit, do not attach as much importance to the quality of materials. Counterfeit watches have rough finishes, and the edges are often badly cut. The hands are also sometimes non-functional, not moving properly, which is never the case with genuine models.

The price :

The last thing you need to pay attention to is the price at which the watch is sold. Serpenti watches from the Italian brand are extremely expensive. If the selling price is significantly lower than the original price, there's a good chance that it's a replica of the brand.

Sometimes when an offer is too good to be true, it's because it's hiding something!

Secure your purchase of a pre-owned Bulgari Serpenti watch with Obvy :

Obvy offers a payment method specially designed to secure transactions between private individuals. Whether you're buying or selling between private individuals on ad platforms such as Leboncoin or Vinted, Obvy acts as a trusted third party to help you avoid any scams.

In the event of a counterfeiting scam, you can quickly and easily return the product to the seller and get your money back. What's more, you'll have all the information you need about the seller in the event of legal action.