How to Spot a Fake Graham Watch

George Graham was an inventor who created the chronograph and the mercury pendulum, among other items. He was also a watchmaker, the first 18th-century clock-maker to be inducted into the Royal Society of Britain. Graham watches are now manufactured by The British Masters SA, a private firm. Graham watches are often compared to Rolex watches in terms of quality and are, in fact, often confused with the Rolex brand. As with Rolex watches, there are many replicas of Graham watches available, but some careful inspection can help determine an authentic Graham watch.

Examine the watch face with a small magnifying glass. The script on the face should not appear to bubble and should look clean and sharp. All details should remain crisp when viewed through magnification.

Look for two sets of numbers on the watch band links, one placed below the 6 o’clock position and one above the 12 o’clock position. These are the serial and registration numbers. The numbers should be centred on the link. If there are not two numbers or the numbers look off-centred or messy, the watch is probably not authentic.

Turn the watch over and look at the case back. It should be smooth and not clear. Graham watches do not come with case backs that allow you to view the workings of the watch.

Hold the watch in your hand. Graham watches are heavy because they are made from high-quality materials. Watches that feel light are probably made out of lesser-quality materials and are probably not authentic.

Carefully insert a small flat tool, such as a standard eyeglass screwdriver, into the notch on the case back and lift it open. If the inner workings are stamped “Made in China” or something similar, it is not an authentic Graham watch.

Know your price point. Graham watches typically cost £3,250 and up, so if the seller is offering a Graham watch at a substantially discounted price, be wary about the authenticity of the watch. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.