So where do you even start? Well, first things first, the packaging! Yeah, the box. I mean, come on, Casio isn’t gonna ship their precious G-Shocks in some flimsy cardboard box that looks like it’s been through a washing machine. An original G-Shock will come in an aluminum box that is encased in a cardboard box. It’s gotta have that quality feel, ya know? If the box feels cheap and smells funny, that’s a red flag waving like crazy. And for the love of Pete, check for spelling errors! “Caiso”? “G-Shok”? Seriously?! That’s a dead giveaway.
Then you gotta get down to the nitty-gritty – the watch itself. Now, I’m no expert, but I’ve seen my fair share of dodgy Casios. One thing to look at is the clasp on the strap. Supposedly, on a real DW5600, “Casio” is printed on top of the clasp. But on the fakes? You guessed it, it’s on the bottom. Plus, the letters might be all jumbled up and lookin’ wonky.
And another thing, feel the watch. Does it feel solid? Is it weighty? Original G-Shocks, especially, are built like tanks. Fake ones? They feel like they’re made of recycled plastic bottles, cuz, like, they probably ARE! And don’t even get me started on the crown. If it feels loose or wobbly, or just plain weird, then Houston, we have a problem.
Oh, and don’t forget to flip it over and check the back. The engravings should be crisp and clear, not some blurry mess that looks like it was etched with a rusty nail. And for God’s sake, check the fonts! If the font is different then its a red flag.
Now, some people might tell you to check the dial logos, the straps, the buckles… Sure, go ahead. But honestly, sometimes the fakes are getting so good, it’s hard to tell! That’s why I always say, if the price is too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t be a sucker!
