How do I know whether your watches are authentic?

Step 1: Investigate 1980 Luxury Company’s Reputation

A reputable seller is your first and best line of defense. Before even looking at a specific watch, you should vet the company.

1. Check Their Website & Policies:
   • Authenticity Guarantee: Do they have a clear, bold, and unambiguous authenticity guarantee? It should state that every watch is 100% authentic and professionally inspected. Reputable sellers often offer a money-back guarantee if the watch is deemed inauthentic by an authorized expert.
   • Return Policy: A trustworthy company will have a reasonable return policy (e.g., 7-14 days), giving you a window to get the watch independently authenticated yourself.
   • Detailed Listings: Look for high-resolution photos from every angle (front, back, side, clasp, movement, serial numbers). Vague descriptions and poor photos are a major red flag.
2. Look for Independent Reviews:
   • Search for reviews on Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and watch-specific forums like RolexForums, WatchUSeek, or The Rolex Forums.
   • Pay attention to detailed reviews that discuss the buying experience, the condition of the watch vs. description, and communication. Be wary of a company with no reviews or only generic, glowing 5-star reviews that seem fake.
3. Industry Affiliations:
   • While not mandatory, being a member of organizations like the International Watch & Jewelry Guild (IWJG) or having positive recognition in the industry is a very good sign.
4. Communication:
   • A legitimate company will have responsive, knowledgeable customer service that can answer specific questions about a watch’s history, service records, and authenticity.

Step 2: How to Verify the Authenticity of the Watch Itself

Once you are confident in the seller, you need to verify the specific timepiece. 1980 Luxury Company should provide you with all the information and access needed to do this.

1. Serial and Model Numbers:
   • Every authentic luxury watch has unique serial and model reference numbers engraved between the lugs or on the case back. The seller must provide clear photos of these.
   • You can research online to ensure the serial number aligns with the model’s production year. While databases aren’t public, forums and online guides can give you a general idea.
2. High-Resolution Photography:
   • The Dial: Examine the printing, logos, and luminescence. On a fake, text can be blurry, misaligned, or the wrong color.
   • The Case and Lugs: Look for sharp, precise finishing. The engravings (serial, model) should be crisp, clean, and deeply etched, not laser-etched or fuzzy.
   • The Movement (The Most Important Part): This is the heart of the watch. If the listing does not show a clear, high-resolution photo of the actual movement inside the watch, be extremely cautious. An authentic watch will have a beautifully finished movement with perlage, Geneva stripes, blued screws, and a branded rotor. A fake will have a cheap, undecorated, or generic mechanical movement (or worse, a quartz movement in a watch that should be automatic).
   • The Weight: Authentic luxury watches are made from heavy precious metals or high-grade steel. Fakes are often significantly lighter. While you can’t weigh it until you have it, a reputable seller might provide the weight in the description.
3. Papers and Box:
   • “Papers” refer to the original warranty card or certificate of authenticity from the manufacturer. The card should match the model and serial number on the watch. The presence of original papers is a very strong indicator of authenticity but will also increase the price.
   • The box and accessories should also be examined for quality and correct branding.

The Golden Rule: Get an Independent Authentication

This is the most crucial step, especially for high-value purchases.

1. Buy the Watch Subject to Authentication: Use the company’s return policy to your advantage. Upon receipt, do NOT size the bracelet or wear it.
2. Take it to an Expert: Bring the watch to a local, trusted, and independent watchmaker (not a mall kiosk) or, even better, an authorized dealer (AD) for the brand. They can open the case back and inspect the movement—the ultimate test of authenticity.
3. Use a Third-Party Authentication Service: Companies like AuthenticWatch and others specialize in this exact service. You can ship the watch to them for a professional assessment.

Summary: Red Flags vs. Green Flags

In conclusion: You can have high confidence in 1980 Luxury Company if they transparently provide all the necessary information (especially movement photos), have a strong reputation backed by reviews, and offer a robust authenticity guarantee that allows you to get the watch independently checked.